Clock Spring install: unwind a little before mounting? (2 Viewers)

[Dirt Ferguson]

When I was replacing my freshly re-covered steering wheel last night, in removing the steering wheel, I yanked on the wheel too hard and pulled off the top cover of my clock spring, exposing the wiring. I packed it all back in the housing, but now I have the CS wire-rubbing noise when I make a sharp turn. No lights on, no issues so far, but I feel I might be on borrowed time at this point.

In researching how to install a new clock spring, I've seen videos where the unit is mounted directly on to the steering column straight out of the box, and then in another AUS video (where the guy is swearing every other word) he unwinds the unit 2.5 turns to loosen the wiring before mounting it.

I have an 03LC. Anyone that's done this procedure will you let me know if you direct mounted it or unwound it a little first?

I believe there are directions on the outside of the CS indicating whether or not to unwind. Does that sound correct?

 

[kerrye]

I installed a replacement a few weeks ago. I did not unwind. I bought my replacement on ebay

 

[Eyedaho]

When I was replacing my freshly re-covered steering wheel last night, in removing the steering wheel, I yanked on the wheel too hard and pulled off the top cover of my clock spring, exposing the wiring. I packed it all back in the housing, but now I have the CS wire-rubbing noise when I make a sharp turn. No lights on, no issues so far, but I feel I might be on borrowed time at this point.

In researching how to install a new clock spring, I've seen videos where the unit is mounted directly on to the steering column straight out of the box, and then in another AUS video (where the guy is swearing every other word) he unwinds the unit 2.5 turns to loosen the wiring before mounting it.

I have an 03LC. Anyone that's done this procedure will you let me know if you direct mounted it or unwound it a little first?

I believe there are directions on the outside of the CS indicating whether or not to unwind. Does that sound correct?

Yes, mine has installation directions printed on it, which specified how much to unwind it. '99 LC.

 

[Dirt Ferguson]

Cool, I bought OEM from Partsouq. $159!!

We'll see what it says on the unit when I install it.

 

[kerrye]

Cool, I bought OEM from Partsouq. $159!!

We'll see what it says on the unit when I install it.

My ebay clock spring cost $17.91

 

[Dirt Ferguson]

I received the CS this afternoon and it came with some paper instructions I'll attach below:

I've got the orange disc lined up in the view window, as seen below

The two arrows are in line on the side of the part

So do I still need to unwind it 2.5 times to the left as indicated on the part, and then re-align the 2 arrows and make sure the orange disc is in the view window?

 

[Dirt Ferguson]

Figured it out.

New steering wheel, new clock spring. Smooooooooooooth.

 

[CruisnPremo]

Figured it out.

New steering wheel, new clock spring. Smooooooooooooth.

View attachment 3643885

Hi Dirt Ferguson,
I'm struggling with the issues of my own Horn still not working and the Airbag Light being ON after installing a new OEM Clock Spring.

So did you have to unwind it 2.5 times to the left as indicated on the part, and then re-align the 2 arrows and make sure the orange disc is in the view window?

Were you able to unwind the clock spring with the Locking Pin installed or did you had to break it off?

I'm assuming that your Horn Works and the Airbag Light is "not" ON.

Thanks

 

[namsag]

I am kind of confused about this. Need to replace mine.

My FSM for 2001 LX leads me on a wild goose chase about the clock spring ("spiral cable"). It jumps you over three or four sections but I cannot find anywhere that it actually addresses unwinding the spiral cable. The cave art drawings and pidgin English on the new part and enclosed instruction sheet do not inspire confidence.

I have watched the videos on YouTube and nobody bothers to unwind when installing a new part, they just screw it on, connect it, and pull the lock pin. The only one who addresses this is the Australian guy whose every other word is f*** and it's hard to follow what he is doing.

From my studying this, I am forming the impression that the winding procedure is for spiral cable assemblies that are removed for deeper work in the steering column, and are going to be re-installed (without being replaced). SO the winding procedure ensures that the spiral cable is centered when it is re-installed.

Whereas, a new spiral cable assembly out of the package, has the lock pin in place to hold the cable in a centered position, and winding is not necessary, just do like the guys in the video and screw it down, connect it up, and pull the pin.

Clear as mud. Is this right? Would really appreciate any advice, I will need to get it done soon.

 

[SteveH]

I have fiddled with mine and discussed it in another thread.

From what I have read, a new clock spring should smoothly unwind 2.5 turns from center, and 'wind' 2.5 turns from center. This allows the clock spring to have more excursion (winds) than the steering wheel will ever give it. They are shipped 'centered' and ready to install on a truck whose wheels are centered.

After my steering rack swap (and ensuing wheel spinning), my clock spring is slightly jacked. After pulling the steering wheel, the clock spring turns 1.5 to the left, and 2.5 to the right (turned by hand). When you put the steering wheel back on and drive around, upon a hard left turn, I get that 'grunking' sound of the clock spring being wound too tightly. Right turns are quiet.

I will either wait until I blow up the clock spring or get caught up on all other truck tasks, and may replace it then.

Steve