Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Service and Repair

CLOCKSPRING












Removal

WARNING: Always wear eye protection when servicing a vehicle. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

NOTE:
- The air bag warning indicator illuminates when the restraints control module (RCM) fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate a supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault.
- The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.
- Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and carry out the diagnostic procedure again.

1. Depower the SRS.
2. Make sure the road wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
3. Tilt the steering wheel in the DOWNWARD position and LOCK the tilt handle.
4. Remove the driver air bag module.
5. Remove the LH A-pillar lower trim panel.
6. Remove the 2 screws and the steering column opening cover.
- Disconnect the headlamp and courtesy light switches electrical connectors.

7. Remove the 3 lower steering column shroud screws.
8. Remove the upper steering column shroud.
9. Remove the lower steering column shroud.
10. Remove the steering wheel.

11. NOTE: If the clockspring is to be reinstalled, do not allow the clockspring to turn from its removal position.

If reusing the clockspring, tape the clockspring center rotor to the outer housing to keep it from rotating.







12. NOTE: The tilt steering column mechanism is spring loaded, carefully release the tilt handle while repositioning.

Carefully position the steering column up and leave the tilt handle in the unlocked position.

13. Disconnect the clockspring electrical connector.







14. Remove the 4 clockspring screws and remove the clockspring.







Installation

Vehicles needing clockspring recentering

1. WARNING: If the clockspring is not correctly centralized, it may fail prematurely. If in doubt, repeat the centralizing procedure. Failure to follow these instructions may increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

CAUTION: Make sure the road wheels are in the straight-ahead position. Damage to the clockspring may occur.

If the vehicle's clockspring has rotated out of center, follow these steps to center the clockspring.
1 Hold the clockspring outer housing stationary.

2 CAUTION: Overturning will destroy the clockspring. The internal ribbon wire acts as the stop and can be broken from its internal connection.

While turning the rotor counterclockwise, carefully feel for the ribbon wire to run out of length and for a slight resistance. Stop turning at this point.

3 Turn the clockspring clockwise (approximately 3 turns) until the ribbon wire shows anywhere across the window (window will be near the 2 o'clock position) and the arrow on the rotor lines up with the arrow on the bottom left of the housing. Clockspring is now centered.
- Do not allow the rotor to turn from this position.







All vehicles
2. Install the clockspring and the 4 screws.
3. Connect the clockspring electrical connector.
4. Position the lower steering column shroud upward.
5. Carefully position the steering column down and place the tilt handle in the LOCKED position.
6. Install the upper steering column shroud.
7. Install the 3 lower steering column shroud screws.
8. Connect the headlamp and courtesy light switches electrical connectors and install the steering column opening cover and 2 screws.
9. Install the LH A-pillar lower trim panel.

Vehicle repairs reusing the same clockspring

10. NOTE: When the tape is removed, do not allow the clockspring to turn.

Remove the tape applied during clockspring removal.







Vehicles installing a new clockspring

11. CAUTION: Do not rotate the new clockspring between removing the sealing key and installing the steering wheel. If the vehicle is left unattended by the technician between removing the sealing key and installing the steering wheel, carry out the centralizing procedure. Failure to follow this instruction may result in component damage and/or system failure.

Remove the sealing key.

12. CAUTION: If the vehicle is left unattended by the technician between centralizing the clockspring and installing the steering wheel, to prevent damage to the clockspring, the centralizing procedure must be repeated.

Install the steering wheel.

13. Install the driver air bag module.
14. Repower the SRS.