2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Steering column help

[Cummins724]

I sometimes get a squeeking noise in my steering column when turning. It sounds like it is near the turn signal lever. Is this the clockspring going bad? How hard are they to change? Any help is appreciated.

 

[JFaughn]

Clock spring sounds rite , if your not getting any rumbling [ bearing at top of shaft ] .
Its been a while , but in general its hard to say whats hard , with out knowing your ex. & tool box , but since your asking , that would lean towards low on ex. , so maybe med to hard to do , find a manual , because with the airbag , you do not want it to go bang/pop while your digging into it .

 

[Cummins724]

I've worked on air bags & have torn quite a few columns apart in older vehicles. I have been working on & building cars all my life. I haven't taken columns apart on the Dodge trucks, but have taken air bags out that had bad horn buttons etc. or just to deploy them with friends. I haven't fooled with the clocksprings & just trying to gain knowledge on special tools needed etc. My truck is a 99 w/manual trans.

 

[BILLVO]

The Multifunction switch houses the spring and it is held to the column with 2 allen screws if I remember right. the column has a cam built on it that cancels the switch. It is all contained inside the switch. I just replaced mine a few months ago and only took about 10 minutes. Just remove the cover from behind the wheel and you will see what I mean. Or it could be the famous lower column bushing with noise transfering up.

 

[MarkMiller]

A clock spring is not a difficult job. And when it comes to airbags just remember that it takes an electrical charge to deploy them so diconnecting the battery effectively disables them. I Haynes manual will show you how to change the clockspring. It will take about 2 hours the first time but I can do it in about thirty minutes now.

 

[BILLVO]

I must not know what the clock spring is. I thought you were talking about a turn signal cancel spring. What is the clock spring for and where in the column is it at for future reference?