Clock Spring Replacement

[tkswan]

Can someone post the procedure for replacing the clock spring in 2002 LS V8 please. I know I have seen it before in this forum but I cant seem to find it again.

Thank you in advance

[shorod]

Are you sure the clockspring is the culprit rather than the wiring under the driver's seat?

Try the "Search this forum" feature from the LS forum main page. Use the keyword, "clockspring." There are quite a few hits so I'm not going to go through them all looking for one that gives the details. Engine size won't make a difference, nor will the model year in this case. The procedure will be the same.

-Rod

[tkswan]

Yes im pretty certain its the clockspring. The curise control doesnt work, mute changes the radio station, volume changes the input source, the airbag light is on, and the horn works only sometimes. The only thing on the steering colum that works is correctly is the wipers.

The problem with [my] search was becasue I was looking for 'clock spring' and not 'clockspring'. My bad

Thanks

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- disconnect the battery and let sit for 10mins (which makes sure there is no charge left to dis-charge the airbag)
- make sure your wheels are straight ahead (so you can line up your steering wheel later)
- remove the two bolts holing on the airbag (under little plastic plugs on each side of the steering wheel
- remove the airbag, and disconnect the wiring - it uses a stanard slide-lock on the plug
- unplug the connectors for the radio controls
- remove the horn assembly by removing the 4 bolts
- remove the torx bolt holding on the steering wheel
- using a two-prong hub puller, remove the steering wheel

the clockspring is right underneath the steering wheel at the top of the steering column.

the rest of it is fairly self-explanitory - the clockspring connects to a wiring box and two large connectors. You'll have to reach underneath the dash to get at them - as the are at the base of the steering column.
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[shorod]

Yeah, that does sound like clockspring rather than the connector under the seat. Are you getting the code 32 (?) from the SRS light?

-Rod

[tkswan]

Yes. Code 32

[tkswan]

The clockspring replacement fixed all the problems mentioned. I spent 3 hours trying to get the steering wheel off with pullers. Pullers don't work very well on this wheel. So I went to the dealership and spoke with a tech, who claims that hes done more than 50 clockspring replacements on LS's, He told me that you don't actually need a puller. He showed me the one he used to try to use, and he said it keeps popping off. Same problem I was having with the puller(s)

He said to simply put the torx bolt back in halfway (this will keep the wheel from popping off and smacking you in the face). While sitting in the seat, grab the wheel at the top and give it a good yank, then the botton, then left, then right. Keep going around doing this until the wheel comes loose -- don't be afraid to put some muscle into it. It took me about 15 seconds to break it loose. Also, you need one of those star socket sets for the horn and steering wheel bolts.

[shorod]

Excellent information, thanks for sharing!

-Rod

[lumberjak1984]

great info. my problem is'nt as bad but occasionally the volume increases when i press volume down on the steering wheel??? Does this have anything to do with the clock spring???

[tkswan]

Yep, thats how mine started. Then it got worse. ...everything electrical forward of the turn signal eventually went out (i.e horn, cruise control, airbag).

[tkswan]

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[linc00']

Hey There tkswan i just rest ur posts im having that same problem my cruise control dont work my radio controls are all whacked and my horn works when it wants to. can u tell me where i can buy the clockspring and about how much does it cost i just spent about $600 fixing the freaking heater on this car. Thanks in advance

[linc00']

hey shorod i have a code 32 on my srs light too. do you happen to have a part number for that clockspring. thanks in advance

[shorod]

I don't have a part number for them. Assuming you have a 2000 model year, it looks like they run $118 at Fast Parts Network.

-Rod

[RJLipscomb]

So, am I to understand that this will be my next problem?

[derrickburns]

I just replaced the clockspring on my 2000 Lincoln LS. Fixed everything.

Prior to that, the airbags flashed code 32, the horn didn't work, and the radio controls were wacky.

I used these step-by-step instructions with photographs.

Instead of using a steering wheel puller, I simply yanked on the steering wheel until it came free.