OEM 2002 Dodge Dakota Clock Spring

2002 Dodge Dakota Clock Spring Parts and Q&A

• Q: How to Replace a Faulty Clock Spring on 2002 Dodge Dakota?

  A: Rebuilding is not possible for the Clock Spring when it is faulty, damaged or the air bag has been deployed, so it must be changed. You should start by removing the battery's negative cable, letting the capacitors in the air bag system drain for about 2 minutes and then resume your work. Keep turning the steering wheel until you feel the front wheels straight ahead. Pull the driver air bag off the steering wheel, remove all wire harness connections from the top of the Clock Spring and fasten unlock the steering wheel armature from the steering column. After securing the steering gear to the flathead screw-push (Special Tool C-1627-A), pull the steering wheel off the shaft using the steering wheel puller (Special Tool C-3428-B). Then, take out the screws on the steering column opening cover of the instrument panel. If you can, simply pull the knob at the end of the steering column straight rearward to take it off the adjuster mechanism. Unscrew the two outboard screws on the upper shroud, carefully press in both sides of the upper shroud to release the snaps and then take out the upper shroud. Undo and remove the screw that keeps the shroud attached to the lock housing and disconnect that shroud. Detach both side harnesses of the instrument panel from the connectors under the Clock Spring and remove the screws that hold the Clock Spring to the multi-function switch mounting housing. Should you want to use the removed Clock Spring, secure the rotor to keep the Clock Spring centered until it is went back in. The Clock Springs that you order for replacement are already centered and held in position by a plastic pin which must not be removed until you install them. To put on the Clock Spring, lower it over the steering column upper shaft with the locating tab into the locating keyhole of the multi-function switch mounting housing and fasten the two screws onto the housing to 2 Nm (20 in. lbs.) Connect the two instrument panel wire harness connectors for the Clock Spring, position the lower shroud onto the steering column and install and torque the center screw to secure the lower shroud to the steering column lock housing to 2 Nm or 20 in. lbs. Lift the steering shroud to the top, engage the gap hider if you have it, line up the snaps and push hard to fasten them. Screw the upper shroud into the lower shroud by tightening the two screws to 2 Nm (20 in. lbs.). When attached, pull the tilt steering column knob toward you, lining it with the adjuster lever and then clip it on. Affix the opening cover on the instrument panel, then fit the steering wheel correctly onto the upper shaft so the yellow-rubber booted engagement dowel locks into position. With the upper hole between the steering wheel behind cover and armature, feed the upper Clock Spring pigtail wire through this hole and tighten the steering wheel screw to secure it by hand, making sure you avoid pinching either the Clock Spring wire or the steering wheel wire harness while working. Once done, return the steering wheel wire harness plugs to the upper Clock Spring connectors and fit the driver air bag to the steering wheel again.