OEM Dodge Ram 1500 Van Clock Spring

Dodge Ram 1500 Van Clock Spring Parts and Q&A

• Clockspring
  5010213AB
  Q: What must be done if the Clock Spring is faulty, damaged, or if the driver side airbag has been deployed on Dodge Ram 1500 Van?

  A:

  You must replace the Clock Spring if it fails, becomes damaged or the driver's air bag has been used, as repairing it is not possible. Before fixing the air bag system, take out the negative battery cable and allow two minutes for charges in the system capacitor to discharge to keep the air bag from going off accidentally. Be sure the car is pointing straight, then disconnect the air bag module just under the driver's side part of the steering wheel. If you have the wire harnesses, disconnect the upper Clock Spring wires from the vehicle speed control system switches on both sides of the steering wheel hub cavity. Take out the nut holding the steering wheel armature to the steering column upper shaft inside the hub cavity, then use the steering wheel puller (Special Tool C-3428-B) to remove the steering wheel from the upper shaft spline. Secondly, take out the knee blocker from the instrument panel and, if your car has one, remove the tilt steering column lever by pulling it quickly away from the left side of your steering column. Remove the two screws joining the lower shroud to the upper one, then pull the front and sides of the lower shroud free from the upper one. Unscrew the upper shroud from the steering column, taking it off afterwards. Take out the two upper steering column wire harness tie wraps, but make sure the Clock Spring and overdrive switch wire harness is left alone. On the left, unplug the wire harness from the instrument panel in the wire harness connector bracket that holds the TC connector. Using an external set of snap ring pliers, take off the snap ring securing the Clock Spring to the upper shaft on the steering column and gently slide the Clock Spring off that shaft. On the steering column, adjust the alignment spline so it is facing straight up and then place the front wheels in the center of the car before you install the Clock Spring. Install the upper shaft wave washer, line up the Clock Spring hub with the shaft and tower and slide the Clock Spring down over the shaft. Install the Clock Spring snap ring, making absolutely sure it is sitting properly in the groove. Put the new tie-wrap above the upper steering column wire harness tie-wrap, push the lower Clock Spring wire upwards so it follows the steering column wire harness and secure both with two new tie-wraps to avoid any problems with stretching or gripping the side of the harness. Connect the wire harness fr Slide the upper steering column shroud up on the steering column, so its mounting stud lines up with its seat and install and tighten the two upper shroud mounting screws to 1.4 Nm (12 in. lbs.). Place the hooks from the lower steering column shroud onto the pivots of the upper shroud, raise the lower steering column and snap both shrouds together with the transmission gearshift lever boot in position. Tighten the two bottom mounting bolts on the steering column shroud to 3.4 Nm (30 in. lbs.) and next mount the knee blocker on the instrument panel. Put the steering wheel on the upper shaft with the splines in line and use the Clock Spring harnesses to guide the wires as you fit the steering wheel back trim cover and armature together. Apply 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.) of torque to the steering wheel mounting nut, ensuring you don't damage the wire harnesses. If the vehicle comes with upper Clock Spring, connect the wire harness to the speed control and push the tilt steering column lever in until it clicks into place. After everything is ready, place the driver side air bag module onto the steering wheel.
• Clockspring
  56045403AG
  Q: What steps should be taken before beginning the Clock Spring replacement procedure on Dodge Ram 1500 Van?

  A:

  Before you start, move the front wheels straight forward and disconnect the negative battery cable, so the supplemental restraint system turns off. Let the system capacitor discharge for at least two minutes. Repairs are not possible on the Clock Spring; if damaged or if the air bag deploys, the unit must be replaced. The first step is to unplug the driver air bag from the steering wheel and separate each steering wheel wire harness from its receptacle in the upper Clock Spring. Take out the steering wheel from the steering column and after that remove the steering column opening cover from the instrument panel. Turn the sideways knob at the steering column toward you to separate it from the tilt adjuster mechanism. Loosen the two outboard screws at the top of the shroud, then carefully push each side to release the snap button. After that, remove the screw at the center of the lower shroud holding it to the steering column lock housing and take away the lower shroud. Unplug the instrument panel wire harness connectors for the Clock Spring from the receptacles underneath the steering column, loosen the screws securing the Clock Spring to the multi-function switch mounting housing and remove the Clock Spring. Place the Clock Spring rotor in position and secure it to keep the Clock Spring centered until reinstallation, if you'll use the part again. To install, line up the center of the Clock Spring over the upper steering shaft and place the tab inside the locating pin and finally secure the straps. Plug the instrument panel harness of the Clock Spring back into the connectors and set the lower shroud onto the steering column. Once in place, secure the shroud with its center screw. Place the upper shroud, push the gearshift lever gap hider in and snap both shrouds together after that. Then, use screws to secure them. If your steering wheel is adjustable, twist the tilt knob onto the surrounding lever. After putting back the steering column cover, make sure to loosen the locking pin if the car received a new Clock Spring. Reattach the yellow rubber boot over the steering wheel armature hub and onto the engagement dowel on the rotor, plug the wires in and fix the air bag in place inside the steering wheel.