TLDR: Do you have a good and reliable part number from any manufacturer for a clockspring that will allow the airbag and cruise control to function properly in a 2000 Ford F-250 XLT?

Have time, read below:

Just about 2 years ago my steering gear literally exploded and blew the top off when I was just finishing backing the truck into our camping site about 1.5 hours from home.The gear was original equipment and had a plate on top with only 2 bolts, not the 4 we see now in re-manufactured gears or gears that are in trucks that we see on the FTE. I had recently turned the screw on top only 1/8 a turn or so in order to tighten up the steering, so maybe that had something to do with it, maybe not. Maybe it was tired of moving the 37 ft 5th wheel we had at the time, I don't know.

Either way, @AllaboutMPG was nice enough to drive over 3 hours the next morning to help me change it out because I did not know what I was doing. My wife and I woke to the sound of a 7.3L pulling into the spot next to us around 0800 and we thought "it is too early for someone to be checking in, let me go check it out". A great relationship was formed and we were very grateful Paul was there to lend a hand and some tools. He brought some crow foot wrenches that were critical to our success.

I have linked the story and thread below in case anyone wants to see some pictures and dig into the details of the "illegal" repair at the campsite.

Truck is DOA...

Back to the "clockspring by spring" title of this thread...

When the gear exploded in February of 2017 I was just turning the truck and the clockspring was over stressed or over turned, however you want to look at it. Once in a while I can hear the coil or ribbon in there grinding a bit or crunching where it had never done this before the steering gear exploded. The buttons for the cruise control still work and the airbag still works, I think... So, I have delayed this repair because it is not much of an annoyance and there has always been other things to fix or upgrade. Now that my PMS is in remission (somewhat and more on that in another thread) I think I might go ahead and replace the clockspring. This idea is what brings me to creating this thread...

There are several threads on the FTE regarding changing the steering wheel or clockspring, but I have yet to see anyone that mentioned a part number. No big deal right... Just look it up...

As I look up clockspring on Rock Auto, Advance, AutoZone, O'Reilly, Tasca and Amazon, it seems the information is a bit conflicting and/or misleading.

To the best of my knowledge, Motorcraft no longer supplies this part, which means I am subjected to the trials and tribulations of the aftermarket world. OK, well at least it is not a critical mechanical piece and can only malfunction and possibly cause death due to an airbag explosion, good news... Pressing on because I have no other choice than to leave the clockspring alone since it does work, it just bitches at me a bit at full lock in either direction. The only time that ever happens is when we are backing the 5th wheel in and I am listening to the engine and the two way radio anyway.

Dorman 525213 appears to be the right part for my 2000 F-250 XLT with cruise control, but just like the other clocksprings listed around the interwebs it states "W/O airbag".



WHO THE F HAS A TRUCK WITHOUT AN AIRBAG!!!

Some of our FTE'rs in CA cannot even have parts mailed into the state because CA doesn't like them and we can order a part that does not allow for an airbag...

OK, so I'll just pick up a more expensive clockspring in hopes that it is the right one and it doesn't kill me at some random time driving down the road or getting in my truck...



Two of the choices don't even mention an airbag and two are without cruise control. I can understand without cruise control from a lower trim level 20 year old truck, but WTF is up with the airbag issue?

Link to Rock Auto clockspring page

OK, so go to another parts store and see what I can see. Oh look, there is another Dorman part number 525227 at O'Reilly that states "w/ air bag and w/ cruise control". Great! Wait, the one single review states "part was completely wrong for a 2001 F250 with cruise control and airbag". Well crap...

Link to O'Reilly clockspring page

At this point I am thinking I might need to remove the OE clockspring and match the connectors to what I can see online. But, then the truck will be laid up for at least a week the pictures online are not always a good representation of what we receive in the mail.

Advance Auto has the same Dorman 525213 that I have pretty much determined is the wrong part, but they also have a BWD with part number CLS206. Although, the BWD part once again boggles my mind with the description of w/o airbag...

Link to Advance Auto clockspring page

Might as well try AutoZone now since we are running out of options and have already wasted a crap ton of time looking for a part that should be simple to find. This is starting to remind me of my U-joints ordering fiasco which turned out to be a great learning process for me and will hopefully help others in the future.

AutoZone was nice enough to include both Dorman 525213 and 525227 in the search results, but my confidence level is low for either of those part numbers. Despite the description for 525227 being correct as "with speed control" and "with air bag", I would prefer to have a bit more confidence in the part I was ordering. I could return the part to a local store if it was wrong, but that doesn't get a new clockspring into the truck, so moving on...

Link to AutoZone clockspring page

Going to Tasca Direct OEM Ford parts has been a good choice in the past at times, so I tried them. Their search results for a 2000 Ford F-250 Super Duty that needs a clockspring came up with 16 results. Most of which are for different manufacturers like Volvo and Chevrolet.



So, I ask you my friends of the FTE... Do you have a good and reliable part number from ANY manufacturer for a clockspring that will allow the airbag and cruise control to function properly in a 2000 Ford F-250 XLT?

Thank you and have a great week!

 

I’m not able to help with part number, by any chance have you tried calling your local ford dealer parts department? They usually ask for your VIN and get you the right part. Often I find myself searching online for hours just to realize all I needed was to call the dealer, that’s actually how I got my Universal joints. Anyhow just a suggestion.

 

Here is my clock spring story leaving home to run north get an alignment and leave. I forgot to put a drag link boot on so I asked the guy to pull the drag link and put it on. BIG mistake I made not checking the work fast forward 800 miles I’m with my brother turn into a truck depot and loose ALL steering. 2 women proceed to come out crying im in a no parking zone after calmly and politely explaining my brother and me could have all most died. Showing them the steering part is on the floor still not being good enough. Like some women their ears needed a full rebuild.... They got a STFU and get back inside your office NOW I’ll be there to deal with you momentarily!!! Of course in the office Ohhh we didn’t know etc yea ok ladies...the guy had not Put the bolt w cotter pin back on. As a bonus the clock spring broke Because I didn’t bother securing the steering wheel. That time I Dropped in an entire steering column from an 04 because the current one had other issues as well. Fast forward to the 07 Dash install I have the Steering column out and secured. Upon exiting my house I see my friend spinning the assembly as fast as he can. Unfortunately for him there was no time to speak so I punched him! Then as I’m yelling Not to be a baby touching everything I thanked him for the additional work he just created. I knew If too tight it’s not good too loose it’s not good. So I slowly turned it to the left until I thought it was Max then slowly turn it to the right until I thought it was maxed. Then brought it to what I thought was center and installed the part. Naturally that wasn’t the end of the job probably five or six times I had to undo the pinch bolt in the cab unwind the steering wheel a little bit retighten. This was done until there was no more binding I would recommend un winding at one turn and seeing what happens. The airbag and ABS system do an independent self check upon start up and I believe the clock spring code since I got to see it so many times there’s three flashes on the air bag light then 2 flashes.

 

These are the plugs that need to match. This is just below the steering column.

The airbag, cruise control and horn connectors are all the same under steering wheel AFAIK.

Its really easy to yank steering wheel off. Unplug the (2) plugs at the end of clockspring harness, remove the little plugs on back of steering wheel and remove airbag with 8mm socket. Bomb suit not required - you have to send 12v to bag to blow it up.

Loosen the the steering wheel nut, but don’t remove it. Put your hands at 3 & 9 o’clock and your feet on the floor. Pull and wiggle. We left the nut on so ya don’t end up on the back seat.







2nd pic is a 6.0 column that had steering wheel controls. You’ll have different plugs than this, but looks the same otherwise.

 

I will give this a shot, but my confidence in the employees that work at the local (next town over) dealership is low. I had a heck of a time just having a second key made for the 2016 Escape we just inherited. I will try to call Tasca and White Bear Lake Ford dealers. I have had better luck with them in the past than the local dealers.

As good a story as it was and entertaining while I was waiting for my wife to pick out vitamins in Wal-mart, I am still on the hunt for the right part... Thanks for the laughs though

My confidence level in being able to remove and replace the clockspring are high, but I am having trouble finding the right one to purchase without tearing into mine first. Maybe since Lavonia GA (next town over) has a regional distribution center behind it, maybe they can get the right one the next day or something if I take the current clockspring in.

I will have a look under the steering column at the connectors. The connectors is another aspect of the clockspring that is somewhat confusing as well. Some of the descriptions state "new 6 pin connector which replaces old 3 pin connector". Here is an image of the connectors for the Dorman 525213 clockspring.

 

According to Tasca Parts online, the proper part number is 1L3Z-14A664-AA. Link to Tasca part page.

I plan to dig into this part number and see if I can come to some sort of conclusion that this is in fact the right part.

EDIT: 1A Auto has the 1L3Z-14664-AA part number listed as Dorman 525213 as does Rock Auto. I am fairly confident is stating the Dorman 525213 clockspring is in fact the right part for a truck with an air bag and cruise control....


Snip from 1A Auto below.





Snip from Rock Auto below.






Looks like I might be getting the Dorman 525213 and giving it a shot. Unless I decide to pay the higher price for the Ford manufactured part at $166 instead of the Dorman part at $87. Rock Auto has the Dorman for pretty cheap, but I will check eBay as well before purchasing and see about getting the Ford part cheaper than $166. Hopefully this thread will help someone in the future that runs into a similar issue like I was having.

 

Have the local autoparts price match rockauto. Then return/warranty is less of a hassle. They all carry Dorman or have Dorman parts in different boxes.

Most stuff at autozone, discount, etc is 15-25% off retail if you order online.

 

I bought the dorman 525-213 from RA last year. Lariat with airbag and cruise control. All plugs matched.

 

Good idea Jason.

Thanks CC, this only solidifies my findings and thoughts on the matter.

 

Out of curiosity I looked up the OEM number which has been changed to a different number. Several options including Amazon.

This was using a 2001 for the model year.

 

Bumping this thread to ask if anyone has tried the much more affordable clock-spring for the 7.3 vans?

Part no is F8UZ-14A664-DA. Looks just like the Super Duty clockspring: https://www.ebay.com/itm/264187210444

*EDIT* I'll find out later this month

 

@PriusLover , were you ever able to find out if the 7.3L van version worked in your truck?

 

PriusLover, disregard the request for information on the fitment. I went ahead and ordered the Dorman 525-213 clock spring from Rock Auto.

 

Sous keep us updated as I am still working albeit slowly on my CC issue. i might need one myself.

 

Sure thing. The parts shipped early this morning and I hope to have them installed in the next couple weeks. Truck is in the garage already and I will start tearing the steering wheel area down soon.

I'm going to try and remove the steering wheel without a puller, but may have to rent one.