Air Bag Wheel Clock Spring Failure
02-13-2011, 04:49 PM
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Air Bag Wheel Clock Spring Failure
The clock spring inside an air bag steering wheel connects the two wires from the air bag to the air bag control unit. It allows the wheel to turn as you steer the car and keep the air bag connected to the control unit.
The maximum turning radius is two turns either way and then the clock spring breaks requiring replacement. (>$200) This has happened to me twice. How?
This time I was replacing the steering rack on a '93 GTS and the universal joint connecting the steering column to the rack had been butchered on a previous replacement and was almost impossible to remove. I never got the U joint off of the shaft and replaced them both.
BUT, I apparently turned the shaft one revolution while attacking the u joint.
The first time that I turned the steering wheel lock to lock the clock spring broke.
When replacing the steering rack on air bag cars, be careful. you normally have to turn the steering wheel a little bit to get to the pinch bolt on the U joint, do not turn a complete turn. If you are not sure, remove the steering wheel and count the turns to be sure the wheel is clocked properly to the centering dimple in the rack.
ALSO, BE SURE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AT LEAST 30 MINUTES BEFORE REMOVING THE BAG.
The maximum turning radius is two turns either way and then the clock spring breaks requiring replacement. (>$200) This has happened to me twice. How?
This time I was replacing the steering rack on a '93 GTS and the universal joint connecting the steering column to the rack had been butchered on a previous replacement and was almost impossible to remove. I never got the U joint off of the shaft and replaced them both.
BUT, I apparently turned the shaft one revolution while attacking the u joint.
The first time that I turned the steering wheel lock to lock the clock spring broke.
When replacing the steering rack on air bag cars, be careful. you normally have to turn the steering wheel a little bit to get to the pinch bolt on the U joint, do not turn a complete turn. If you are not sure, remove the steering wheel and count the turns to be sure the wheel is clocked properly to the centering dimple in the rack.
ALSO, BE SURE TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY AT LEAST 30 MINUTES BEFORE REMOVING THE BAG.
02-13-2011, 09:01 PM
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Earl a picture would be a good thing
02-13-2011, 10:55 PM
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I could not tell you how many we have replaced for local transmissions and body shops, in other makes of cars, listen to Earl, cause they will sure break a lot quicker than most would think.
02-14-2011, 10:11 AM
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I have an extra clock spring if you still need one Earl. Good precautionary note. On first-gen airbag cars like our 928s, sounds like the best bet is to take the thing off, place the wheel in the straightahead orientation, then re-center the clockspring (turn all the way counterclockwise, then three complete turns clockwise to center it). On later airbag designs (e.g. Boxster, 996) the clockspring has a catch that holds the spring position when you remove it, to eliminate the winding back and forth to re-center.
02-14-2011, 02:18 PM
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Tom,
Thanks for the offer. I bought two on eBAY, so I have a spare. BTW, the 944 uses the same clockspring with the 928 part number moulded in 928 652 211 00.
Thanks for the offer. I bought two on eBAY, so I have a spare. BTW, the 944 uses the same clockspring with the 928 part number moulded in 928 652 211 00.
