Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Clock Spring

[JFringer]

i have read read a few threads that said they replaced their clock spring. what is a clock spring? if it breaks could it cause damage to my cummins?

 

[Bob4x4]

The clock spring is in the steering colum. It connects the airbag and horn switch as well as the cruise and radio controls in the wheel to the colum harness

 

[LBARTLETT]

Bob4x4 is right, when bad they will make an annoying noise in your steering assembly when you turn, if you don't hear it no problem, if you hear it and are like me you already fixed it

 

[JustinParks]

how do u replace it?

 

[JFringer]

The clock spring is in the steering colum. It connects the airbag and horn switch as well as the cruise and radio controls in the wheel to the colum harness

well my horn is really hard to push. only the passenger side of the horn works. would that have anything to do with the clock spring?

 

[Bob4x4]

The horn switch is separate from the clockspring but the horn switch ckt does pass trough the clock spring

 

[DonS]

i have read read a few threads that said they replaced their clock spring. what is a clock spring? if it breaks could it cause damage to my cummins?

Shortly after I purchased my truck (Oct 2000), I received a recall notice from DC for the clockspring. I ignored (but kept) it. Eventually (a couple years later), I heard a "snap" noise from my steering wheel - this was followed by the failure of all of the controls on the steering wheel (and, I presume, the airbag). I immediately took the truck to the local Dodge dealer for the recall service.



Recall #982 - Clockspring



This is a "safety recall" (since the airbag is disabled if the clockspring breaks). According to the NHTSA, a non-tire-related "safety recall" must be remedied by the manufacturer, free of charge, for the life of the product.



ODI - Office of Defects Investigation



EDIT: Of course, my truck was involved in such a recall and yours may not have been. You may want to research this before deciding you want to replace the clockspring yourself.

 

[CHellmer]

Is there any place to purchase a clock spring for a 1995 other than a dealer? I am a little tight on cash and I would think the dealer will be alot more costly. Thank You

 

[jdooner]

I got mine from Rock Auto. Not much fun to replace, a manual will come in very handy!

 

[hcole]

Go on Ebay. You'll see pictures of what they look like and you can buy them pretty cheap. I just upgraded my truck to a cruise control and had to replace the clockspring that had extra conductors in it for the cruise control buttons. I rented a steering wheel puller at Autozone and took it off and replaced it along with the CC switches in about 30 minutes. I just followed the FSM and found it pretty easy.