OEM Dodge Ram 2500 Van Clock Spring

Dodge Ram 2500 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 2500 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 followed to replace a faulty Clock Spring on Dodge Ram 2500 Van?

  A:

  When the Clock Spring is not working, damaged or if the driver air bag has gone off, you need to get a new one, since it can't be repaired. Start by breaking the air bag system using a knife to tear out the negative cable, wait for two minutes, then close the disconnection, only after this. Keep turning the steering wheel until at least the front wheels go in a straight direction. Eliminate the driver air bag from the steering wheel, remove the steering wheel wire harness connectors from the upper Clock Spring receptacles and get rid of the screw on the steering wheel armature to the steering column upper shaft. Use the C-3428-B puller (found in the Special Tools page) to remove the steering wheel from the upper shaft spline. Remove the cover from the instrument panel beside the steering column, straighten and pull the tilt steering column knob if fitted, then remove the two screws that connect the upper shroud to the lower one. Bend the upper shroud in towards yourself, pushing both sides gently and release the snap features before lifting out the upper shroud. Take out the center screw holding the lower shroud to the steering column lock housing and then remove the lower shroud. Unplug the instrument panel wire harness connectors from the lower Clock Spring connector receptacles and loosen the two screws that hold the Clock Spring to the multi-function switch mounting housing before you take it out. Should the original Clock Spring be used, hold its rotor fast enough to maintain its center line up until you reinstall it; else, center the Clock Spring when you insert it. The replacement Clock Spring is already centered with a plastic pin that must not be removed until you use it on the steering column. Don't begin installation if the front wheels are not straight ahead. Slide down the Clock Spring cradle until the locating tab pushes into the locating pin on the multi-function switch housing. Then, use the two side screws to firmly attach the Clock Spring to the housing by tightening each to 2 Nm (20 in. lbs.). Connect the two cable connectors on the instrument panel wire harness for the Clock Spring, fix the lower shroud onto the steering column and tighten the center screw of the lower shroud to 2 Nm (20 in. lbs. Match the upper shroud with the steering column, ensure that the gear lever gap hider engages if you have it, line up the hooks and carefully snap them together. Secure the two upper screws to the lower shroud after installation, exactly to 2 Nm (20 in. lbs.). Alternatively, with the tilt steering knob in place, push it onto the adjuster mechanism lever until it's aligned. Set the steering column opening cover and steering wheel onto the upper shaft and guarantee the yellow rubber booted engagement dowel is correctly aligned. Put the upper Clock Spring pigtail wire through the upper hole and put in and tighten the screw that connects the steering wheel to the top shaft to 61 Nm (45 ft. lbs.). After that, attach the steering wheel wire harness connectors to the top Clock Spring connectors and install the driver air bag onto the steering wheel.