OEM 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Clock Spring

2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Clock Spring Parts Q&A

• Q: How is the Clock Spring Serviced and Repaired in an Air Bag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) on 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac?

  A: When servicing or repairing Clock Spring assembly components work with safety glasses installed while servicing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and point the air bag module trim cover in a direction that does not threaten your body to prevent injuries. Depowering the system leads to the removal of two steering wheel back cover plugs and two retaining bolts for the driver air bag module so the electrical connector can get detached and the module can be taken out. Wheels need to be positioned in a straight-ahead direction before removing the steering wheel. First remove the retaining screws to place the hood release handle aside then take off the lower steering column opening finish panel along with its reinforcement. To access the upper steering column shroud one should remove the four retaining bolts that secure the steering column to instrument panel. The removal process of the tilt wheel handle shank needs to be performed when the vehicle has a steering wheel with tilting feature. Start by taking three screws off the lower steering column shroud and proceed with removing the ignition switch lock cylinder when you reach the RUN position and press the cylinder release tab to pull it outward. Take off the passive anti-theft system (PATS) transmitter after unscrewing its retaining screw and remove the key-in-ignition warning indicator switch and upper steering column shroud together with its passive anti-theft system (PATS) transmitter. The first step involves cutting the electrical connection of the Clock Spring while removing its retaining bolt to disconnect the ground wire and taking out the wire harness from its positioning points. The lower Clock Spring retaining clip must be released before removing the Clock Spring through a step of removing additional clips. When installing new Clock Springs the key must be removed before positioning the rotor at the center while preventing rotor movement. To center the rotor properly maintain the steady position of the outer housing while releasing the rotor to carefully rotate it first counterclockwise until resistance appears then clockwise three times until reaching the center position. Establish the Clock Spring on the steering column shaft and fasten the lower retaining clip while connecting all electrical connectors with pin-type retainers and ground wire bolt. The key-in-ignition warning indicator switch, PATS transmitter, along with upper and lower steering column shrouds must be installed before securing the steering column to its instrument panel retaining bolts. The wire harness should be routed into its holders. The tilt wheel handle and shank installation should be performed before fitting and adjusting the ignition switch lock cylinder into position. The installation process requires you to add the lower steering column opening finish panel reinforcement and finish panel with proper seating of retaining clips. The driver air bag module installation requires the electric connector connection followed by retaining bolt installation and finally replacement of steering wheel back cover plugs before system power activation.