Lets say you turn the steering wheel left. SRS / Airbag Light On Meaning, Causes & How to Reset, Traction Control System (TCS) Light Meaning, Function & Causes, Is It Safe to Drive With the Airbag Light On? If you want to save money on the clock spring replacement and do it yourself, down below are the steps you need to do so. The vehicle may bounce on uneven and rough roads. Disconnect the steering wheel and remove the bolts that attach the box on the outside of the assembly. Your power steering pump is the main component in your system. Driving with a broken clock spring is very dangerous as the behavior of the steering wheel changes drastically. Replacing your fluid on time will help prevent this issue, but any leaks can cause a loss of fluid that will ultimately lead to power steering failure. Steering Wheel Not Centered. Place the cover over the wheel, and tighten the bolts and nuts to secure it. If not, youll need to order a new clock spring (view on Amazon) and go to the dealership to get it repaired. A light touch is all you need. Dealerships are more expensive than independent shops. "acceptedAnswer": { Any suggestions. Having the ability to move the wheel to just the right angle, height, and placement for it to fall into your hands makes driving both efficient, and comfortable. If you believe your clock spring is broken, here are a few symptoms to look for: Airbag light activated The airbag lights on the dash are indicators of problems. When you remove the wheel housing, youll notice a metal spring clip, which you can then turn clockwise as far as you can until its properly tight. Take your vehicle to an automotive shop for scheduled oil change maintenance and mention that you would like to have the clock spring examined. The steering column and the rack are connected by a pinion. The spring comes as either a tension helical spring or a compression helical spring. A dealership garage gave me an estimate of at least $2,500! No idea. As the steering wheel is turned, the conductive ribbon in the clock spring coils and uncoils to allow an electrical contact within the electrical systems. In the absolutely worst case, if you ignore the airbag light, your airbags might not deploy in case of an accident. At the very least, you should have someone check it through to see whats wrong. Welcome to Motor Verso. Its crucial that you get it looked into ASAP, before the steering fails altogether as youre driving along. The replacement of clock springs can be do-it-yourself job or you can take it to the repair garage. Now, remove the SRS Airbag control module from the steering wheel. The instructions are listed by manufacturer, then by category with a sample of the procedure. Other than completely losing control of your car, there are thankfully a few early warning signs that you may have a worn or faulty steering column. If you decide to go with a mechanic since you dont have the correct tools to perform the replacement yourself, then you should speak to some mechanics in your area. Youll need to have someone take a look at it to know for sure. For example, Hyundai and Volkswagen recalled the clock spring on some models. 9. Most 1989 and newer cars have four 14mm nuts that hold the column to the dash. If your ride has a shifter on the column and the shift indicator Even if youre an experienced DIYer, some things cant feasibly be done at home, such as going through a rigorous wheel alignment. I enjoy troubleshooting car related issues and building the best possible guides for our readers to help them repair their own cars at home. AI: The reason for these sounds is due to bad internal components within the steering column. In rack-and-pinion steering systems, the steering wheel is attached to the steering column. Reply, Your email address will not be published. It can be found along the inner shaft of the steering column. If youve only been able to get one quote for the replacement, you should check with other dealerships in your area to check if you can get other competitive prices. The main reason why your clock spring would be expensive is that some car models come with the clock spring and steering wheel control module integrated into one another. You also need to mark the position on the steering axle compared to the steering wheel before taking it out. 2. Remove the plastic trim from the steering column. Im trying to purchase a used one with directions. You can use the pictures before as a reference. While you most likely can drive with a broken clock spring, its definitely not recommended. In this blog we discuss the top five causes of power steering damage, as well as some tips for preventing power steering failure in your vehicle. Factory steering wheels are often quite bulky and complicated, not with all their buttons, switches, and whatnot. (& Why Not), Cruise Control Not Working? Usually, we can blame this on worn-out gearing or bearings inside the steering column. Or, if there are any odd vibrations as you're turning. In fact, and for certain makes and models of vehicles, you could likely walk away with a repair bill worth at least four digits. The wheel should also return to its natural position without any coaxing. With the engine off, inspect the clock spring while the vehicle is on the ground as opposed to being suspended in the air. Wear would usually be concentrated there, as itll soon make the steering hard to bind. Broken Belts. If you notice any signs that your clock spring is broken, then you need to address the problem quickly as a bad clock spring is no joke. To reach or even see the clock spring, you have to remove both the steering wheel and the covers around the steering wheel axle. "@type": "Answer", 4. You do also want to ensure there are no recalls on the clock spring, which could mean that you can get a replacement for free. Other than that, you might be able to catch the smell of burning oil (thats the power steering fluid as its overheating). Nonetheless, this inconsistency in the steering is substantial enough that it could distract you from what youre doing. Because of the electronic signals sent from the steering wheel, it can cause the electronic throttle light to turn on. (5 Steps) With or Without Scanner, How to Find the Radio Code to Unlock a Car Stereo, 5 Symptoms Of A Bad Brake Light Switch and Replacement Cost, 5 Symptoms Of A Broken Coil Spring and Replacement Cost, 4 Symptoms Of Bad or Worn Brake Shoes and Replacement Cost, Symptoms Of A Bad Airbag Sensor and Replacement Cost, 4 Symptoms Of A Bad Starter Relay and Replacement Cost, 6 Symptoms Of A Bad Valve Seal and Replacement Cost, 5 Symptoms Of A Bad Fuel Pump Relay and Replacement Cost, 5 Symptoms Of A Bad Driveshaft and Replacement Cost, 6 Symptoms Of A Bad Flywheel and Replacement Cost, Car Wont Accelerate But RPMs Go Up: Causes & Fixes. Thanks. There are actually a number of things that could go wrong with your power steering, and when they do, you could be stuck trying to keep your car under control without the help of this crucial system. Its the job of the vehicles caster angle and not the clock spring this helps your wheels and steering go back to a central position when you let go of the wheel. The new clock spring you buy will need to correspond to whether your car works on RHD or LHD. If you turned the clock spring by mistake when it was not installed in the car, you will need to reset it. This also means that if the connection to the cruise control buttons in the steering wheel becomes bad, it can also cause the traction control warning light or the electronic throttle warning light to light up. This is, of course, something you never want to experience, but it can be the reality if you ignore the airbag light. (Heres Why You Might). Therefore, you have to be attentive toward early tell-tale warning signs that steering issues might be manifesting. Install the end base plate cover. In most cars today, we have whats called rack and pinion steering. This is so that the car has time to the charge transferred to the airbag system. 1st - Remove the steering wheel by loosening the nut under the horn button; then use a steering wheel puller to pull You may have wondered how all the electronic components in the steering wheel can communicate with the car, even when turning the steering wheel several times in each direction. Use a pen to highlight the locations of the steering column, and do the same with the wheel. If you notice that your car stereo volume increases or decreases or has a flashing warning light only when you turn the steering wheel, this is a strong sign that there is a problem with the clock spring. Reply, Ooof, thats rough. So, if you face any of the issues and symptoms that we noted earlier, please do get a check-in with the local mechanic. The universal joint sits somewhere near the bottom-middle of the steering column. When these controls dont work, it is a good idea to check the clock spring. In the case of a faulty steering column, turning the wheel could exhibit clicking, grinding, squeaking, or clunking sounds. Faulty front suspension components might also contribute to a loose-feeling steering wheel. If your car no longer has a functioning clock spring, itll leave key functions unattended and itll prevent them from working as they should. I'm the MotorVerso.com AI Car Expert. This is very stupid it makes any repairs very costly, because you have to replace the whole unit. This option is supposed to help the driver position the steering wheel more comfortably for them to operate. If they were separate, then a clock spring replacement would be a lot cheaper. It is also responsible for sending the signal to the airbag in the steering wheel if an accident occurs. Especially, if it were to fail while you're driving. The clock spring is also quite hidden, so most people are not very familiar with it. Learn more about our writers on our about us page. If you notice any of these symptoms, then its worth taking a step back and evaluating the expense of a steering column replacement cost. The result will be a steering wheel that is more difficult to center. In rare cases, youll notice smoke and sparks coming out of the steering wheels. Miles on it ? If your clock spring is broken, it means that the connection between your steering wheel and your airbag has been lost. Steering Column Replacement Cost, Symptoms #1: Steering Wheel Is Not Centred, Steering Column Replacement Cost, Symptoms #2: Steering Wheel Is Rough To Turn, Steering Column Replacement Cost, Symptoms #3: Clicking Or Grinding Sounds When Turning, Steering Column Replacement Cost, Symptoms #4: Tilt Function Refuses To Lock In Place, How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Steering Column, Steering Column Replacement Cost: In Conclusion. Push in on the key (to engage the lock into the hole in the steering stem, & then turn it to lock it. You would be looking at a price closer to $800-1200 at an independent shop, if I had to guess. Factory steering wheels are often quite bulky and complicated, not with all their buttons, switches, and whatnot. The replacement cost of a steering column is anywhere from $400 to $900. Not only is it immensely complicated, but you have to make sure that its done right. If you have noticed that some of these buttons or all of them stopped worked completely, there is a huge chance that something is broken inside of the clock spring unit. It might be close to failing, at this point. Another downside of a bad clock spring is that some cars need the steering wheel angle for traction or stability control. Speaking of, power steering fluid leaks underneath your car might also be early warning signs that your steering rack needs an urgent repair or replacement. Alternatively, you might feel looseness and play in the wheel. The airbag light is supposed to come on for a moment when the vehicle is turned on, beeping, or in a change of status. Motor Verso is an automotive website; for car enthusiasts, run by car enthusiasts. If you want to replace the clock spring, it takes 1 to 2 hours from start to finish. Do you hear noises when you turn the steering wheel? Mind you, this symptom might not be clear at all times. Remove the nut that connects the steering wheel to the column. Maintaining your power steering system is actually easier than you may think. The clock spring is located behind the steering wheel, often integrated with the unit where the turn signal lever is installed. The steering column is connected to the suspension of a vehicle. In many car models, you have a lot of buttons on the steering wheel, like the cruise control or the radio volume buttons. The load-carrying specs for the coil spring depend on the shape, wire diameter, and spacing. Otherwise, it might be a sign that the linkages which connect the steering box to the front wheels are also worn-out and need thorough checking. For example, these can be switches, wiring, the column, As youre replacing the steering column, you ought to have. If you have a broken clock spring, heres what to do: Use OBD2 Scanner You may have to use the OBD2 Scanner (view on Amazon) to reset the steering angle sensor. It didnt seem to affect the turning response. The clock spring houses the wiring for the airbag system and the horn. In all, the steering shaft, while certainly robust, does take in a lot of strain, even in regular driving. This is because even the slightest error in the airbag system can cause them to deploy, or in the worst case, not deploy at all in case of an accident.