clock spring
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: metro atlanta
clock spring
1995 Ford Aerostar 3.0,I believe the clock spring is bad from what I have read on this site.The air bag light is blinking it also chimes 5 times when the key is in the acc mode.The dealer said if the wires were not reconnected in the right order it would cause another malfuntion with the new ($110.) cloc spring.Is this true?Is there any particular order to disconnect and reconnect the wiring?Dealer recommended letting them do the job,at about $300.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 718
Likes: 0
From: North Jersey, New Jersey
No there is no order for reconnecting thats why I try to avoid the dealer I'm allergic to bull 
.
$300 is reasonable if you don't want to be bothered.
Here is what it basically involves.
First position the wheel straight ahead.
Then remove the air bag and disconnect it after disconnecting battery for 5 mins to drain the SRS backup power supply.
Disconnect the wires from the horn and cruise to the clockspring.
Loosen the steering wheel bolt.
Mark with a black marker a straight line from the wheel to the shaft where the bolt was. So you can reinstall the wheel in the same place later.
Using a steering wheel puller pull the wheel off (you can rent this).
Disconnect the clockspring main harness from the vehicles main harness. You will need to remove the bottom cover from the steering surround for this and probably the lower dash panel depending on where the connector is.
Loosen the screws securing the spring to the column and remove.
The only precaution on reinstallation is make sure that the spring is centered.
There is usually a gear with a yellow tooth on the bottom left of the spring when that tooth is lined up with the yellow mark on the clear window and the arrow on the sticker and body is aligned its centered.
If you don't have a toothed gear do it this way rotate the spring all the way counterclockwise until you feel resistance. Now slowly turn it clockwise until the arrows line up.
Now rotate the spring clockwise and count how many times those arrows meet up.
For example if it was 4 turns half that.
Which would mean in 2 turns your centered. Just line up the arrows at the second turn.
What your doing here is since the steering wheel is centered the clockspring must be as well.
If it is not turning the steering wheel past the springs limits will damage it.
.$300 is reasonable if you don't want to be bothered.
Here is what it basically involves.
First position the wheel straight ahead.
Then remove the air bag and disconnect it after disconnecting battery for 5 mins to drain the SRS backup power supply.
Disconnect the wires from the horn and cruise to the clockspring.
Loosen the steering wheel bolt.
Mark with a black marker a straight line from the wheel to the shaft where the bolt was. So you can reinstall the wheel in the same place later.
Using a steering wheel puller pull the wheel off (you can rent this).
Disconnect the clockspring main harness from the vehicles main harness. You will need to remove the bottom cover from the steering surround for this and probably the lower dash panel depending on where the connector is.
Loosen the screws securing the spring to the column and remove.
The only precaution on reinstallation is make sure that the spring is centered.
There is usually a gear with a yellow tooth on the bottom left of the spring when that tooth is lined up with the yellow mark on the clear window and the arrow on the sticker and body is aligned its centered.
If you don't have a toothed gear do it this way rotate the spring all the way counterclockwise until you feel resistance. Now slowly turn it clockwise until the arrows line up.
Now rotate the spring clockwise and count how many times those arrows meet up.
For example if it was 4 turns half that.
Which would mean in 2 turns your centered. Just line up the arrows at the second turn.
What your doing here is since the steering wheel is centered the clockspring must be as well.
If it is not turning the steering wheel past the springs limits will damage it.
Last edited by krankshaft; Jul 31, 2007 at 05:37 AM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Sunline Fan
Excursion - King of SUVs
81
Aug 23, 2022 06:13 AM
smoke744625
1968-Present E-Series Van/Cutaway/Chassis
1
Sep 6, 2006 11:57 PM
