Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator

Clock Spring Replacement

grabeb

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Jun 29, 2021
Messages
315
Location
Kansas
01 Jeep TJ Sport.

Several months back I replaced the steering gearbox. Was 2nd time in a few months as I tried a salvage unit, was going to send original in for rebuild got told to just buy new from O'Reilly since not a 'built' jeep. Salvage one leaked like the first. In any case, 2nd time totally forgot to tie off the steering wheel, no clue if it moved or didn't. Few weeks go by and horn stops working. Had tried some basic troubleshooting, but college daughter's car and she's always gone when I have time. Fast forward a few months, still not tracked down, but now I notice after oil change air bag light is set off in dash! Needed to go to shop for AC tune-up. Have him check a few things and asked to scan the bag code and if I broke the clock spring to replace it.

He calls, AC working good again, can't get Air Bag code off any of his scanners and his parts stores are saying no clock spring. He's a bit stumped and he thinks the bag feels squishy as well when he presses the horn, but he says the horn 100% works at the horn, relay good, etc....

My google searches just now seem to say MOPAR no longer making these clock springs....what gives? How hard to pull this steering wheel to look into the clock spring? What are some other indicators? She hasn't complained about the turn signals or such. I see others are scabbing them from salvage vehicles, but that seems to be for cruise models, this is NOT a cruise control model.

It appears maybe summit racing has some listed. Anyone have a model number or source to get one? Should I pull the wheel and check the existing spring? My guess is I screwed it up by not securing the steering wheel and I know better! Ughhh!!

Why wouldn't he be able to pull a code? He has high dollar scanners and they've pulled seat codes off my Yukon Denali and I thought he even pulled an airbag code off something else of mine once.
 
Not hard to do. You need a puller for the steering wheel. I got a Dorman clock spring from Rock Auto. That fixed my horn and airbag light. Here is @hosejockey61 's very helpful video.
 
Not hard to do. You need a puller for the steering wheel. I got a Dorman clock spring from Rock Auto. That fixed my horn and airbag light. Here is @hosejockey61 's very helpful video.

Thanks for the video. I've messed with clock spring on our 95 yukon before, so I know not too difficult. I checked rock auto and all I'm finding is Ultra-Power brand. it's about $50 or it seems summit has them from crown automotive for about $90. No clue on either brand. Maybe I'll look on Dorman's site!
 
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Not that I would be opposed to trying that, but looks sketch for long term repair. In a pinch, yes, but.....
 
Not that I would be opposed to trying that, but looks sketch for long term repair. In a pinch, yes, but.....

2 monts including some pretty good wheeling and safari sagoodi. I agree though, we'll see long term. Again, I think I lucked out by the break happening near the end
 
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Just replaced my 97 with a Dorman clock spring. I was able to pull my wheel off without a puller but it was tough. Start to finish including getting the part and tools out was one hour. Super easy to do.

Do you have a part number by chance for the Dorman one? I looked on their site and zero luck.

I know they aren't hard. My biggest issue is finding time when I can commit to the job and her to be home when I have the time and in the mood. Part of the issue with attempting a repair. I think best to just have on hand, start and finish ASAP!
 
Turn signals still work! Isn't that clock spring as well? Or should that rule out a bad clock spring? Regardless, I think I need to pull the wheel off.

I will say, started with just the horn, then a few months later(i think) the airbag lights come on, so maybe slowly breaking???
 
Do you have a part number by chance for the Dorman one? I looked on their site and zero luck.

I know they aren't hard. My biggest issue is finding time when I can commit to the job and her to be home when I have the time and in the mood. Part of the issue with attempting a repair. I think best to just have on hand, start and finish ASAP!

Turn signals are just the signal switch which is part of the lever. The part that clicks off your turn signal as your steering wheel straightens is on the clock spring.
I got mine off rock auto. Was the cheapest including their shipping compared to everyone else. I’ve heard Blaine (a well respected member of the forum) say early models 97-01 he’s had good luck with wiggling the wheel off without a puller. Mine was never taken off before and it took a little hammer on the center shaft to pop off. Best and fastest route is get the part and a puller just incase before you start. Watch the videos before hand to get an idea of what you need to do. I watched this video and it was basically perfect for me to follow with.
If I had a puller and watch the videos before hand I bet I could have had it done it 20-30 min. Start with the wheels straight as the new clock spring comes centered with a pin to hold it so it’s good to go right away. The steering wheel is also keyed so you don’t have to worry about putting it on one spline off. Both will go on just how you pulled them.
 
Car Parts seems to show having one for $140.49 from Dorman. The one at RockAuto is for Right hand drive!
 
Well, had a chance to finally sit down and look this up a bit more. It appears the above is for up to 2000 TJ. I did apparently find one through Summit Racing though. I had asked earlier about Crown Automotive and don't think I got a reply, but the lady at Summit said that is an aftermarket supplier for Mopar Jeep parts. She said if I just typed in the first part in google it would take me to mopar part. Hmmmm....

Any case, Getting ready to order and for anyone else in my shoes, part number CWA-56047103AB. Fits 01-02 Wrangler withOUT cruise. Wish me luck and thanks for the help. I'll try to remember to post update!

Well, I went ahead and googled and sure enough right to Mopar at about 3x the cost!

https://www.moparpartsgiant.com/par...year=2001&submodel=&extra1=&extra2=&filter=()
 
I had to do this a couple weeks ago (air bag light was on and horn didn't work). I bought the clockspring from Autozone and a wheel puller from Amazon...

https://www.autozone.com/collision-.../dorman-airbag-clockspring-525-118/452600_0_0

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0721H8S84?tag=wranglerorg-20

I watched a video on youtube before diving in and it wasn't too hard to replace. It's been about a couple weeks without issues (no airbag light and the horn works). With luck, I'll never need the wheel puller again! I have a collection of tools like this that I've only used once, but I'm guessing this particular issue was still cheaper for me to buy the tool than to pay a shop to fix it.
 
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With luck, I'll never need the wheel puller again! I have a collection of tools like this that I've only used once, but I'm guessing this particular issue was still cheaper for me to buy the tool than to pay a shop to fix it.

Not to worry, just do what most people do...use it and return it for a refund...

return_it.png
 
The clockspring from summit worked, but steering wheel was off, so in my frustration to straighten it, pulled half the front end apart seeing what needed aligned. It was replacing gearbox that started all of this. Now steering wheel is back aligned with the clock spring and the gearbox, but when going straight down the road the wheel is turned 45 degrees. Where is that adjustment? Worried going to break another clockspring.
 
The clockspring from summit worked, but steering wheel was off, so in my frustration to straighten it, pulled half the front end apart seeing what needed aligned. It was replacing gearbox that started all of this. Now steering wheel is back aligned with the clock spring and the gearbox, but when going straight down the road the wheel is turned 45 degrees. Where is that adjustment? Worried going to break another clockspring.

The drag link has a collar that you will loosen the bolts then spin the collar to lengthen or shorten the drag link which will center the steering wheel.
Best way is to break the bolts free and in your neighbor hood road or parking lot drive straight for 20 feet and see where your wheel it in relation to straight then hop out, spin it some, then see how it moved. Normally takes me 15 min of hopping in and out a few times to get it perfectly straight.

IMG_3025.jpeg
 
The drag link has a collar that you will loosen the bolts then spin the collar to lengthen or shorten the drag link which will center the steering wheel.
Best way is to break the bolts free and in your neighbor hood road or parking lot drive straight for 20 feet and see where your wheel it in relation to straight then hop out, spin it some, then see how it moved. Normally takes me 15 min of hopping in and out a few times to get it perfectly straight.

View attachment 568130

I found a video I'll me with tomorrow night or Sunday. Thanks. Any harm driving it a few miles like it is?
 
Novak Conversions Jeep Wrangler TJ radiator