OEM 2000 Jeep Cherokee Clock Spring

2000 Jeep Cherokee Clock Spring Parts and Q&A

• Q: Is Your Clock Spring Faulty or Damaged, and What Steps Should You Take on 2000 Jeep Cherokee?

  A: Replacement of the Clock Spring is necessary if it proves faulty, becomes damaged or if the driver side air bag has been set off, since it cannot be fixed. Before touching the air bag system, first go to the battery negative terminal, disconnect it and let the capacitor discharge for two minutes. Bring the front wheels to face forward, first and foremost. Disconnect the air bag module from the steering wheel first and after that, disconnect the upper Clock Spring wire harness connector if you have one. Loosen the nut securing the steering wheel armature to the steering column upper shaft, then take the steering wheel puller (Special Tool C-3428-B) to pull the steering wheel off the upper shaft spline. Pull off the steering column panel on the instrument panel and, if you have a tilt steering column, raise it all the way up. Take out the three screws holding the lower shroud to the upper one, then loosen the upper nuts if your column is not tilting or tilt it downwards if it is. Open the bottom and top caps on the steering column to take them off. Disconnect the two wires from each instrument panel wire harness connector that are linked to the lower Clock Spring receptacles. To release the Clock Spring assembly, gently open both plastic latches through the upper Clock Spring latch area which is accessed through the access window on the multi-function switch water shield bracket. Should the Clock Spring latches malfunction, remove all associated intervention pieces from the housing. Replace the Clock Spring only if it is damaged or faulty, as you must replace it if the driver-side air bag has activated. Should you choose to reuse your Clock Spring, stick a stiff wire through the index hole at the 11 o'clock point and bend it to hold the rotor securely to the case. Before you attach the front wheels, be certain they are pointing straight ahead. Should you reuse the Clock Spring, remove the wire from the index end. Make sure the turn signal switch is in neutral and then drop the centered Clock Spring down the steering shaft until the latches lock it to the housing. If you install a new Clock Spring, take out the locking pin that holds the rotor in place inside the case. After pulling the wire harness from under the steering wheel, lock it in place with the lower Clock Spring receptacles. Install the upper and lower shroud shrouds and use 2 Nm (18 in. lbs.) to tighten the 3 screws that secure the lower shroud to the upper shroud. Secure the opening cover for the steering column onto the instrument panel. Put the steering wheel above the upper shaft, so the flat on the hub connects with the formations on the Clock Spring rotor and use the lower opening in the steering wheel armature to feed the upper Clock Spring wires through to the inside. Firmly tighten the steering wheel mounting nuts to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.) but watch out not to constrict the wire harnesses. If your car has one, clip the upper Clock Spring wiring into the socket before putting the driver side air bag module onto the steering wheel.