Clockspring

The clockspring cannot be repaired. It must be replaced if faulty or damaged, or if the driver side airbag has been deployed.

WARNING: THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE, COMPLEX ELECTROMECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE OR SERVICE ANY AIRBAG SYSTEM OR RELATED STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENTS YOU MUST FIRST DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE FURTHER SYSTEM SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

REMOVAL

NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain to turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.

(1) Place the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.

(2) Remove the driver side airbag module from the steering wheel. Refer to Driver Side Airbag Module in the Removal and Installation section of this group for the procedures.

(3) If the vehicle is so equipped, disconnect the upper clockspring wire harness connectors from the vehicle speed control switches and the remote radio switches located within the hub cavity of the steering wheel.

(4) Remove the nut that secures the steering wheel armature to the steering column upper shaft, which is located within the hub cavity of the steering wheel.

(5) Pull the steering wheel off of the steering column upper shaft spline using a steering wheel puller (Special Tool C-3428-B).

(6) Remove the steering column opening cover from the instrument panel. Refer to Steering Column Opening Cover in the Removal and Installation section of Group 8E - Instrument Panel Systems for the procedures.

(7) If the vehicle is so equipped, unscrew the lever from the tilt steering column adjuster mechanism located on the left side of the column just below the multi-function switch stalk. Turn the lever counter clockwise to unscrew it from the column.

(8) Remove both the upper and lower shrouds from the steering column (Fig. 13).

Fig. 13 Steering Column Shrouds Remove/Install - Typical

1 - NUT

2 - TILT LEVER

3 - UPPER SHROUD

4 - LOWER SHROUD

5 - SCREWS

6 - CLOCK SPRING

7 - STEERING WHEEL

(9) Remove the lower fixed column shroud from the steering column.

(10) Remove the two tamper proof mounting screws (a Snap On tamper proof Torx bit TTXR20B2 or equivalent is required) that secure the multi-function switch to the left side of the steering column lock housing.

(11) Gently pull the multi-function switch away from the left side of the steering column lock housing far enough to access the side latch of the clockspring assembly (Fig. 14).

(12) Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector from the lower clockspring connector receptacle.

(13) Disconnect the lower clockspring wire harness connector from the instrument panel wire harness, located on the instrument panel lower reinforcement below the steering column.

CAUTION: Failure to disengage the plastic latches of the clockspring from the receptacles in the steering column lock housing prior to clockspring removal will result in damage to the clockspring latches.

Fig. 14 Clockspring Latches

1 - STEERING COLUMN LOCK HOUSING

2 - TOP LATCH

3 - CLOCKSPRING

4 - SIDE LATCH

5 - SCREWDRIVER

(14) Using a small screwdriver, gently pry under the plastic latches at the side and the top of the clockspring assembly to disengage them from the receptacles in the steering column lock housing and remove the clockspring from the column. The clockspring cannot be repaired. It must be replaced if faulty or damaged, or if the driver side airbag has been deployed.

INSTALLATION

If the clockspring is not properly centered in relation to the steering wheel, steering shaft and steering gear, it may be damaged. Refer to Clockspring Centering in the Adjustments section of this group before installing or reinstalling a clockspring.

Service replacement clocksprings are shipped precentered and with a piece of tape covering the depressed clockspring auto-locking tabs. This tape should not be removed until the clockspring has been installed on the steering column. If the tape is removed before the clockspring is installed on a steering column, the clockspring centering procedure must be performed.

NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain that the front wheels are still in the straight-ahead position.

(1) Carefully slide the centered clockspring down over the steering column upper shaft until the plastic latches at the side and the top of the clockspring assembly latches engage the receptacles in the steering column lock housing.

(2) Reconnect the lower clockspring wire harness connector to the instrument panel wire harness. Be certain that the wire harness locator clips are properly seated on the outside of the wiring trough and that the connector latches are fully engaged.

(3) Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector to the lower clockspring connector receptacle.

(4) Position the multi-function switch onto the left side of the steering column lock housing.

(5) Install and tighten the two screws that secure the multi-function switch to the left side of the steering column lock housing. Tighten the screws to 2 N*m (17 in. lbs.).

(6) Install the steering column shrouds. Be certain that the lower clockspring wire harness is routed inside the shrouds.

(7) Install the steering column opening cover onto the instrument panel. Refer to Steering Column Opening Cover in the Removal and Installation section of Group 8E - Instrument Panel Systems for the procedures.

(8) Install the steering wheel onto the steering column upper shaft. Be certain to index the flats on the hub of the steering wheel with the formations on the inside of the clockspring hub. Pull the upper clockspring wire harnesses through the upper and lower holes between the steering wheel back trim cover and the steering wheel armature.

(9) Install and tighten the steering wheel mounting nut. Tighten the nut to 61 N*m (45 ft. lbs.). Be certain not to pinch the wire harnesses between the steering wheel and the nut.

(10) If the vehicle is so equipped, reconnect the upper clockspring wire harness connectors to the vehicle speed control switches and/or the remote radio switches. Be certain that the upper clockspring wire harnesses are routed between the steering wheel back trim cover and the steering wheel armature.

(11) If the vehicle is so equipped, install the tilt steering column lever onto the left side of the steering column by screwing it into place.

(12) Install the driver side airbag module onto the steering wheel. Refer to Driver Side Airbag Module in the Removal and Installation section of this group for the procedures.