Update on steering column repair
- Thread starter black97lsc
- Start date
RE: Update on steering column repair
ok heres where I am now, I removed the steering column YET AGAIN to try to see if I left something unplugged, to my dismay I didn't, which means something else is wrong. anyway heres the pics I took of the noise in my steering wheel, it appears to be a ribbon cable of some sort wrapped around the wheel inside that the end has come loose and is flopping about. I tried re-seating it but it doesn't stay. In the first picture I show where the hole is that it is easiest to view, then I took some closeups, any ideas? is this my issue with the airbag light and no horn?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/mikecp421/lincoln/steer4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/mikecp421/lincoln/steer3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/mikecp421/lincoln/steer2.jpg
ok heres where I am now, I removed the steering column YET AGAIN to try to see if I left something unplugged, to my dismay I didn't, which means something else is wrong. anyway heres the pics I took of the noise in my steering wheel, it appears to be a ribbon cable of some sort wrapped around the wheel inside that the end has come loose and is flopping about. I tried re-seating it but it doesn't stay. In the first picture I show where the hole is that it is easiest to view, then I took some closeups, any ideas? is this my issue with the airbag light and no horn?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/mikecp421/lincoln/steer4.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/mikecp421/lincoln/steer3.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v473/mikecp421/lincoln/steer2.jpg
RE: Update on steering column repair
Mike,
It would seem your clock spring is broken. Is it possible that your steering wheel turned freely after disconnecting the column from the shaft? This would break the 'ribbon' that you can see.
You will need to replace the clock spring assembly.
Sorry for the bad news.
Ron
Mike,
It would seem your clock spring is broken. Is it possible that your steering wheel turned freely after disconnecting the column from the shaft? This would break the 'ribbon' that you can see.
You will need to replace the clock spring assembly.
Sorry for the bad news.
Ron
RE: Update on steering column repair
The clock spring serves as the electrical connection (while allowing the steering to freely turn) between the air bag and horn. The ribbon you see broken contains handful of conductors and has enough length to allow the steering to turn as needed to...well, steer.
To fix it, you will need to replace the clock spring. Your friendly neighborhood Lincoln dealer may refer to it as a sliding contact.
On our cars, the clock spring is serviced as an assembly with the turn signal switch and hazard light switch.
I've seen some used ones on the auction site that begins with 'e' and ends with 'ay.' If you get a used one, you should make sure that the person who removed it did not let the steering wheel spin all willy-nilly once the column was removed. You know what can happen...
Since yours is broken, you may want to take it apart for added fun. A few torx screws and plastic clip tabs are all that are holding you back from the sheer joy of taking that baby apart. I have one that I took apart, had the ribbony wire unwrapped and was able to reassemble it successfully. I cussed like a Mark VIII owner trying to...drive an ordinary car.
Ron
The clock spring serves as the electrical connection (while allowing the steering to freely turn) between the air bag and horn. The ribbon you see broken contains handful of conductors and has enough length to allow the steering to turn as needed to...well, steer.
To fix it, you will need to replace the clock spring. Your friendly neighborhood Lincoln dealer may refer to it as a sliding contact.
On our cars, the clock spring is serviced as an assembly with the turn signal switch and hazard light switch.
I've seen some used ones on the auction site that begins with 'e' and ends with 'ay.' If you get a used one, you should make sure that the person who removed it did not let the steering wheel spin all willy-nilly once the column was removed. You know what can happen...
Since yours is broken, you may want to take it apart for added fun. A few torx screws and plastic clip tabs are all that are holding you back from the sheer joy of taking that baby apart. I have one that I took apart, had the ribbony wire unwrapped and was able to reassemble it successfully. I cussed like a Mark VIII owner trying to...drive an ordinary car.
Ron
RE: Update on steering column repair
You can take the clock spring off with the column intact. Start by disconnecting the battery (this is important - do this anytime you work with the airbag system).
-Remove the trim buttons on the back side of the steering wheel.
-Remove the two 8mm bolts that secure the air bag and remove it.
-Take off the bolt securing the steering wheel and pull the wheel off (a steering wheel puller is the right way to do this - I've seen it done by yanking violently on the wheel in alternating directions. IF YOU DO THIS, leave the steering wheel nut on the shaft a turn or two. Otherwise, you will hit yourself in the face with the wheel - that hurts, or, um, so I've heard!).
-Remove the trim collar from the steering column. You may need to loosen (or remove) two or four of the column mounting bolts to allow the column to drop down enough to get the trim off. See above pictures for procedure!
-The black plastic item with the turn signal stalk sticking out is the part you want to remove. If memory serves me, there may be a plastic tab or two holding it to the aluminum column parts.
-Disconnect the wires to the clock spring and take it off.
-Reverse the steps to reassemble.
I don't think you have any danger of the air bag POOPING. If you disconnect the battery you won't have to worry about it POPPING either!
You can take the clock spring off with the column intact. Start by disconnecting the battery (this is important - do this anytime you work with the airbag system).
-Remove the trim buttons on the back side of the steering wheel.
-Remove the two 8mm bolts that secure the air bag and remove it.
-Take off the bolt securing the steering wheel and pull the wheel off (a steering wheel puller is the right way to do this - I've seen it done by yanking violently on the wheel in alternating directions. IF YOU DO THIS, leave the steering wheel nut on the shaft a turn or two. Otherwise, you will hit yourself in the face with the wheel - that hurts, or, um, so I've heard!).
-Remove the trim collar from the steering column. You may need to loosen (or remove) two or four of the column mounting bolts to allow the column to drop down enough to get the trim off. See above pictures for procedure!
-The black plastic item with the turn signal stalk sticking out is the part you want to remove. If memory serves me, there may be a plastic tab or two holding it to the aluminum column parts.
-Disconnect the wires to the clock spring and take it off.
-Reverse the steps to reassemble.
I don't think you have any danger of the air bag POOPING. If you disconnect the battery you won't have to worry about it POPPING either!
jamies98lsc
Registered
the clock springs has a mark on it and a set of dierctions stamped in the plastic on how to recenter it, everytime i remove them from my parts cars, i recenter them and zip tie them for shipping, that way the new owner of it can install it with no chances taken, but all you do to recenter one if you know it has been turned, it turn it all the way to one side till you feel the slightest bit of tension, be careful dont be king kong when doing this, then you count back the opposite direction 2 3/4 turns and your marks will like up, there is a little plastic arrow on the big ring, and on the center ring your connector with the yellow sleeve will line up with the arrow. its really easy.
N
Neilster
Guest
Hi Mike: What was the final on your loose steering column? Did you get it back to where it was? Mine has developed the same problem. Did the steering column have to come out of the car altogether (assuming so)? Doesn't sound like fun...