Clock Spring went CRUNCH

[EMDDIESEL]

It happened, the last few days my steering felt strange, especially when i turned the wheel hard one way and then back, it felt like something was sticking. Today, while leaving the deli, i turned and the wheel stuck hard then CRUNCH and the Air Bag light came on.

I had my appointment for Monday anyhow for the recall. I guess they were not kidding about it being a problem. So for anyone whos steering wheel feels "Odd" be prepared, you know whats coming.

 

[DAWG-1]

Done

I went today and they had me in and out in 1 hour . Of course I didn't have anything to do.

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Did they pop your hood for anything? i dont want to have to take my EZ out and hide stuff.

 

[KatDiesel]

Originally posted by EMDDIESEL

Did they pop your hood for anything? i dont want to have to take my EZ out and hide stuff.

Why chance it? EZ pops out in less then 5 mintues. Why give them a chance to see it... the EZ has nuthing to do with the Clock Spring.



A tech at a dealership told me if they see a "chip" on a truck they have to call Chrysler. I'd take the EZ off for a peace of mind. Since its so easy and painless.



By the way mailing your spring tommorrow.

 

[DAWG-1]

HI Emmdiesel,

When I went in I specifically told them "DO NOT REFLASH", truck runs great. I was surprised when he asked if I had a fun switch. I must of had a puzzled look on my face, He then said like Randy's. I said, Randys Off Road. He said, yes and began to tell me that he got to drive his truck (he was impressed). I then told him I buy most of my parts from him (they worked together and went to school). Oh Ya Randys truck had the block replaced along with many other parts under warranty. No removal of any performance parts: VanAakin, TST Max 3, 275HP Injectors, Custom Piers turbo. I watched the process and "no" to opening the hood. Their layout allowed me to watch w/o getting in the way. Sam

 

[EMDDIESEL]

Good call Kat, ill just take it all out and not worry that way. I wish i could lock the hood somehow.

 

[John]

Question

Hey Sam, would that be the same Ram that belongs to the dyno sheet on Randy's store wall (dyno sheet is from BD Diesel Performance)?



..... just wondering

 

[John]

lol

Every time I see these clock spring threads/posts I always chuckle... I think back to what Tommie Chong (of Cheech & Chong fame) used to say...



... hey man I'm not into time.

 

[Happy Camper]

Took mine in yesterday. In at 8am driving down the road a 8:19. Good service!

 

[SmokinGator]

EMD,



I've noticed that sometimes when I turn the wheel hard left it feels like something's binding and there is a groan of some sort. It doesn't happen turning to the right. Is this what you're describing? My truck also pulls to the right pretty good, I feel like a NASCAR driver always turning left.

 

[DAWG-1]

Hey John, The dyno sheet on the wall belongs to a friends duelly. Randy has a picture of his Dodge just above that doing a burnout.

 

[MidwestMotorman]

locking the hood...

EMDDIESEL,



You can lock your hood. Clifford Security Systems makes a product that locks off the hood from the inside. It uses a cable that operates another arm locking the hood latch down and keeping it down if the hood latch is ever pulled when the system is locked. The inside control uses a key like a pop machine does. I have a car with one of these on it and they do work. The system is heavy duty. You could not cut the cable from inside the cab either.

 

[Cobra]

clock spring

Hey guys,



Am I being BSed. I had an appointment to have my clock spring replaced. Took the truck in to the dealer. They had it all day. When I picked it up they said, you will have to bring it back because we didn't have a spring on stock to fit your truck.



I had had my appointment for ten days. I was pretty poed. He told me there are three different sizes and they had two sizes but not mine. Does anyone know if that is true (about the 3 sizes)

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I ws told there several different sizes too, they needed my VIN number to get the right one. Bringing it in monday. And yes, my steering whell was hard to turn and groaning to an extent.

 

[Bob Cochran]

Have had the recall card for a month or so dreading taking to the dealer. While camping, drinking beer, drowning worms the Air Bag alarm sounds when make lock turn while backing 5th wheel. Now back and Air Bag alarm comes on almost everytime I make a turn. I guess will have to call my 5* and give them VIN number and make sure they have the part, hopefully the right one, and get it changed. I have the Turbo Lifesaver from Gino's installed hope they do not grumple about that and hazzle me about it. Steering not binding nor making noice YET!!!!



Oh by the way this happened after I had the truck for 2 days 50 miles on it and dealer changed. Hope this clock spring is better that the OEM and the one they replaced it with that time.

 

[tgbol]

It depends upon what options you have. If you have the radio control and cruise control, cruise control or just the horn and air bag. When I took mine in the service writer told me that the the spring for the radio controls had been on national back order for three weeks. But the service manager had told me an hour earlier that he just got 24 that morning. So I lucked out. The tech never opened the hood to change the spring even though the book says to disconnect the batteries.

 

[Mopar-muscle]

huh ????

i'm lost , whats this clock spring recall ???

 

[MidwestMotorman]

explnation...

Inside the top of the steering column is a circular contact ring. This ring is used to transfer the electric current from the horn button, radio controls, air bag module, and anything else that is controlled by buttons or located on the steering wheel. This piece is necessary as you cannot have wires going directly to the switches, because they would get all tangled up turning the wheel.



The ring needs contacts to transfer the current. These contacts break or the ring goes bad. I believe the problem is due to the contacts coming off or breaking and then tangling up the rest of the contacts.



I hope this helps.



Whoops, I forgot to add this. A technician should be expected to disconnect the batteries. Anytime someone is working close the the airbag and their contacts, battery disconnection is mandatory. Not disconnecting this is gambling with one's life and property!!!

 

[John]

Originally posted by DAWG-1

Hey John, The dyno sheet on the wall belongs to a friends duelly. Randy has a picture of his Dodge just above that doing a burnout.

I thought the dyno sheet and the picture belonged to the same Ram. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

Hey EDMDiesel or whoever - what is the EZ you are talking about??



I stumbled upon this post and couldn't figure it out.



Thanks!

Dan