Defective Clock Spring = Empty Wallet

[John Berger]

Well my clock spring was bad and I was out of warranty. The bad news:

Clock spring $144. 18
Diagnostics $60. 00
Labor $60. 00

The math is pretty simple.

Good news: I know what tools I need to do it if it ever happens again and the red light is out. The service was good and they got the truck to me in a little over an hour. That clock spring ought to come with gold lining or a door prize. What a ridiculous price to pay for a couple of wires, a tensioned coil and plastic. Just another good reason to practice shadetree mechanics.

Done venting and I'll take donations of beer until payday #ad


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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2wd; 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec differential cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges. Amsoil foam air filter and synthetics from nose to tail.
Cummins Power, don't leave home without it

 

[roadranger]

OK, you've got me curious-
Whats a clock spring for?
Where is it located?

 

[illflem]

Doug, the clockspring is a wire coil in the lower steering wheel that unreels when you turn the steering wheel, keeps the CC and airbag connections intact while turning.

Never priced a Dodge airbag, but my daughter had her airbag go off in a fender bender with her Honda Accord, new airbag and clockspring installed, $1800!!!

 

[mbrolin]

As soon as someone can put a price on a human life then I will start worrying about the price of airbag parts.

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2001 HO 6spd,Quad cab,LWB,4x4,Flame Red,all options except for leather,Westin Brushguard/Push bar,Painless wiring,Radio Shack CB,my own design CB mount,Smittybuilt nerf bars,NW Custom rocker covers,Custom built stainless rocker light bars,DeeZee bedrails,Isspro pyro and boost gauges,Jacobs ebrake,Reese 20k 5er hitch(more to come)

 

[Randy J]

Originally posted by Michael Brolin:
As soon as someone can put a price on a human life then I will start worrying about the price of airbag parts.

Amen to this. I work in the auto body repair industry (insurance side), and I can tell you air bags do make a difference. It is unfortunate they cost so much, but you can blame the legalistic society we live in for that.



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Randy Jones, San Antonio, TX, rdj@gvtc.com, 98 1/2 QC, 4X4, American Racing BAJA's, 285/75/16, Amsoil throughout, Superstar 3000 export radio, Firestik antenna with fender mount, Fire-ring cable, Mag-Hytec Deep transmission pan

2000 VW Jetta TDI, auto, 45 mpg average

 

[DASH]

You guys think airbags are expensive, try buying airplane parts. I had a spark plug go bad on my 1946 Cessna 140, and a new plug was $20. 16. Another example: the engine on this bird is a little 4 cylinder air cooled continental 85 HP, an overhaul for it is around 8-10K. Now that's brutal!!!

 

[PRout]

2 months ago, a friend I work with got hit head on in his Celica. Airbags deployed and saved his a. . He was just really bruised up.

Without the baloons, who knows.

Both cars were going approx 35 and the other guy decided to make a left in front at the last second. Wish people would relax and think a little around here. Im sure the bags were cheaper than the alternatives.

 

[work2muchplay2little]

In my job as a rehab doc, I've seen first hand many many victims of motor vehicle accidents and can tell you that airbags and seatbelts unequivocally are the difference between life and death in many cases. People who don't wear 'em or don't have airbags are far too often permantly disabled ... needlessly. Motorcycles are another matter entirely...

Sorry for the speech, just happen to feel strongly about this one.

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Kurt Voss
********* 1999 2500 24VCTD AUTO 4x4 QC LB Laramie SLT, Luverne stainless steel nerf bars, 3 piece bug deflector, mopar mud flaps, Line-X bedliner, Blue Chip Fuel Management System, just ordered 3/26: DDIII's, TTPM, DD 4" exhaust, HX40, DTT VB/TC (91%)