TECH: How to replace clock spring

Ghost · 03-28-2002, 01:40 PM

I just replaced my clock spring last week and wanted to share what I learned.

1: Make sure your wheels are pointing straight ahead
2: Disconnect battery
3: Remove the four screws that hold on air bag from the backside of the steering wheel
4: Disconnect and remove the airbag
5: Disconnect the connections going to the horn and cruise control buttons
6: Remove the bolt that holds on the steering wheel and use a puller to get it off
7: Unscrew the tilt lever from the collumn
8: Remove the three screws that hold on the steering collumn cover and remove the lower portion
9: Remove the ignition switch by inserting your key and turning it to the on position and inserting the end of a paper clip in the access hole in the bottom of the switch housing to depress the pin that holds the switch in
10: Remove the top half off the steering collumn cover
11: Remove the lower dash panel that is directly below the steering collumn by removing the two screws on the lower side and gently pulling toward the drivers seat to release the pins that just snap in on the top side of the panel
12: Remove the clock spring assembly from the collumn and dissconnect all connections
13: Put in new clock spring and reconnect then put everything back in reverse order

This whole job only took about an hour and is very simple. DO NOT BE AFRAID OF IT.

LW93Rcode · 03-28-2002, 08:02 PM

Pretty good breakdown on the install! You're definitely right, its not that bad a job at all

SVT-FAN · 03-28-2002, 08:08 PM

Sorry,,,but I have to ask???????What the h#ll is the clock springand what does it do???

:m

LW93Rcode · 03-28-2002, 09:48 PM

I wouldn't worry to much since you have a 93. Its for the airbag on 94-95s, also controls the horn and part of the cruise control system.

MOTORCITY · 03-29-2002, 08:19 AM

Thanks for the good info,I've been needing to do this for about a year now.How much did the clock spring cost you? M.J.

LightningLaRocca · 06-30-2002, 11:49 PM

MOTORCITY was kind enough to point out to me that my clock spring is shot. My question is why did these things go out and how long will a new one from Ford last? I don't want to drop $100.00 replace this thing and have it go out in 6 mos or so. Any thoughts? Thanks Ghost for sharing how to do this! I've printed out your instructions and will surely find them helpful when I get the part!

gasguzzler · 07-01-2002, 12:44 AM

Does anyone have the Ford part # for the clock spring assy. and is it a Dealer only item or is it available in the aftermarket? Thanks - Brian

sstock · 07-01-2002, 09:24 PM

Good INFO

94jeff · 11-26-2002, 01:06 AM

Hey guys, thanks for the replys and help. As soon as I get some time off from work I'll try to fix it. With Ghost's tech thread it doesn't seem like it will be to hard of a job.

paul12 · 11-26-2002, 09:46 AM

Dealer only item.

Also shouldnt there be a period of time you wait after disconnecting the battery before messing with the air bag?

Sometimes when the clockspring goes bad it will short out the air bag diagnostic monitor. I have one of these if anyone needs it.

Ghost · 11-26-2002, 01:21 PM

Some people say that you have to wait a long time between disconnecting the battery and messing with air bag but if you just wait about 5 minutes or so it should be fine.

bmarco · 11-26-2002, 10:55 PM

I've replaced mine twice; both bought from Ford for about $100. Bought my truck used and it was bad when i bought it. The first replacement only lasted about a year and a half. Got about 6 months on the new one, but will be ticked if it goes out as soon as the last one...... still got the box, so I'll post the PN tomorrow if anyone needs it.

maverick · 01-29-2005, 05:40 PM

so the 94-95 lightnings have this clock spring to deal with but not the 93s cuase they dont have an air bag.

sstock · 01-29-2005, 06:17 PM

I certainly wouldnt let the clock spring decide on whether you buy a 93 or 94.
Lets see : Clearcoat paint and better E4OD would offset that about 100 times.

so the 94-95 lightnings have this clock spring to deal with but not the 93s cuase they dont have an air bag, man wish i knew that before i got my 94 i would of just waited and got a 93. just another thing to worry about breaking on my truck, guess we're all SOL lol

LW93Rcode · 01-29-2005, 06:44 PM

Steve's right!!!

On another note, this should be stickied in the new tech section.

03-28-2002, 01:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
Ghost Jason Welch Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Pasadena, Texas Posts: 1,070 View this user's gallery iTrader: 2 / 100%	TECH: How to replace clock spring I just replaced my clock spring last week and wanted to share what I learned. 1: Make sure your wheels are pointing straight ahead 2: Disconnect battery 3: Remove the four screws that hold on air bag from the backside of the steering wheel 4: Disconnect and remove the airbag 5: Disconnect the connections going to the horn and cruise control buttons 6: Remove the bolt that holds on the steering wheel and use a puller to get it off 7: Unscrew the tilt lever from the collumn 8: Remove the three screws that hold on the steering collumn cover and remove the lower portion 9: Remove the ignition switch by inserting your key and turning it to the on position and inserting the end of a paper clip in the access hole in the bottom of the switch housing to depress the pin that holds the switch in 10: Remove the top half off the steering collumn cover 11: Remove the lower dash panel that is directly below the steering collumn by removing the two screws on the lower side and gently pulling toward the drivers seat to release the pins that just snap in on the top side of the panel 12: Remove the clock spring assembly from the collumn and dissconnect all connections 13: Put in new clock spring and reconnect then put everything back in reverse order This whole job only took about an hour and is very simple. DO NOT BE AFRAID OF IT. __________________ Horsepower sells cars.... Torque WINS races! NLOC#1047 94 white Lightning #2256

03-28-2002, 08:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
LW93Rcode Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Edgewater Park, NJ Posts: 3,935 View this user's gallery iTrader: 4 / 100%	Pretty good breakdown on the install! You're definitely right, its not that bad a job at all __________________ Laurence Weiler NLOC #339

03-28-2002, 08:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
SVT-FAN Registered User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: ohio Posts: 370 View this user's gallery iTrader: 0 / 0%	Sorry,,,but I have to ask???????What the h#ll is the clock springand what does it do??? :m __________________ Black 93, SOLD. Red 93, #2657 All stock.Needs Mods!!

03-29-2002, 08:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
MOTORCITY Registered User Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: SARDIS ARKANSAS Posts: 422 View this user's gallery iTrader: 2 / 100%	clock spring Thanks for the good info,I've been needing to do this for about a year now.How much did the clock spring cost you? M.J.

06-30-2002, 11:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
LightningLaRocca Resident Loser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Little Rock, AR Posts: 288 View this user's gallery iTrader: 0 / 0%	MOTORCITY was kind enough to point out to me that my clock spring is shot. My question is why did these things go out and how long will a new one from Ford last? I don't want to drop $100.00 replace this thing and have it go out in 6 mos or so. Any thoughts? Thanks Ghost for sharing how to do this! I've printed out your instructions and will surely find them helpful when I get the part! __________________ 1995 Black Lightning #1258 Powerdyne 6psi S/C Kit Otherwise Stock Clonetek Approved Sig




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03-28-2002, 09:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
LW93Rcode Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Edgewater Park, NJ Posts: 3,935 View this user's gallery iTrader: 4 / 100%	I wouldn't worry to much since you have a 93. Its for the airbag on 94-95s, also controls the horn and part of the cruise control system.

07-01-2002, 12:44 AM	#7 (permalink)
gasguzzler Grasshoppa' Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Demotte, IN/Escanaba, MI Posts: 862 View this user's gallery iTrader: 0 / 0%	Does anyone have the Ford part # for the clock spring assy. and is it a Dealer only item or is it available in the aftermarket? Thanks - Brian __________________ 94 Lightning Red Build #1706 Kenne-Bell Supercharged and Snow Performance Injected

07-01-2002, 09:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
sstock Student of Horsepower #2 Paid Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Washington State Posts: 9,822 NLOC member #: 343 View this user's gallery iTrader: 14 / 100%	Good INFO __________________ On the Dark side now. Gen 2 TwEECer tuned

11-26-2002, 01:06 AM	#9 (permalink)
94jeff Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: Roseville,Ca. Posts: 154 View this user's gallery iTrader: 0 / 0%	Hey guys, thanks for the replys and help. As soon as I get some time off from work I'll try to fix it. With Ghost's tech thread it doesn't seem like it will be to hard of a job.

11-26-2002, 09:46 AM	#10 (permalink)
paul12 Thank You...Drive thru. Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Broken Arrow, OK, USA Posts: 428 View this user's gallery iTrader: 0 / 0%	Dealer only item. Also shouldnt there be a period of time you wait after disconnecting the battery before messing with the air bag? Sometimes when the clockspring goes bad it will short out the air bag diagnostic monitor. I have one of these if anyone needs it. __________________ Paul White 2000 L #1545 <SOLD>

11-26-2002, 01:21 PM	#11 (permalink)
Ghost Jason Welch Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Pasadena, Texas Posts: 1,070 View this user's gallery iTrader: 2 / 100%	Some people say that you have to wait a long time between disconnecting the battery and messing with air bag but if you just wait about 5 minutes or so it should be fine.

11-26-2002, 10:55 PM	#12 (permalink)
bmarco Registered User Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Huntington Beach, CA 92648 Posts: 618 View this user's gallery iTrader: 1 / 100%	I've replaced mine twice; both bought from Ford for about $100. Bought my truck used and it was bad when i bought it. The first replacement only lasted about a year and a half. Got about 6 months on the new one, but will be ticked if it goes out as soon as the last one...... still got the box, so I'll post the PN tomorrow if anyone needs it.

01-29-2005, 05:40 PM	#13 (permalink)
maverick Buddy Paid Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: The Sooner State Posts: 3,689 NLOC member #: 1977 View this user's gallery iTrader: 7 / 100%	so the 94-95 lightnings have this clock spring to deal with but not the 93s cuase they dont have an air bag. Last edited by maverick; 08-23-2005 at 04:36 PM.

01-29-2005, 06:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
sstock Student of Horsepower #2 Paid Member Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Washington State Posts: 9,822 NLOC member #: 343 View this user's gallery iTrader: 14 / 100%	I certainly wouldnt let the clock spring decide on whether you buy a 93 or 94. Lets see : Clearcoat paint and better E4OD would offset that about 100 times. so the 94-95 lightnings have this clock spring to deal with but not the 93s cuase they dont have an air bag, man wish i knew that before i got my 94 i would of just waited and got a 93. just another thing to worry about breaking on my truck, guess we're all SOL lol

01-29-2005, 06:44 PM	#15 (permalink)
LW93Rcode Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Edgewater Park, NJ Posts: 3,935 View this user's gallery iTrader: 4 / 100%	Steve's right!!! On another note, this should be stickied in the new tech section.

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