OEM 2006 Ford Taurus Clock Spring

2006 Ford Taurus Clock Spring Parts Questions & Experts Answers

• Q: How to Service and Repair the Clock Spring Assembly on 2006 Ford Taurus?

  A: The first step for repairing or servicing the Clock Spring assembly requires wearing safety glasses as a protection measure against potential air bag activation. The system requires powering down while removing the driver air bag module. The straight-ahead position needs to be established on wheels before starting removal of the steering wheel. The first step requires removing the lower steering column opening cover consisting of two bolts and its retaining clips. To prevent unwanted movement use two pieces of masking tape that you should place across the Clock Spring. It is vital to put the steering column tilt mechanism into its lowest position and then remove the components of the tilt wheel handle and shank. Begin by setting the ignition switch lock cylinder to RUN position followed by pressing upward on the release tab while you pull the tab outside. The three screws located on the steering column shroud need removal before proceeding. To work on a vehicle with column shift functions you should first disconnect the shift indicator tube by unscrewing the cable while removing its indicator. You should detach the two nuts at the rear of the column and only slightly loosen the two nuts at the front but keep them in place. The upper steering column shroud must first be removed before you detach the passive anti-theft system (PATS) transmitter by unscrewing its retaining screw then put the PATS transmitter aside. Start by detaching the key-in-ignition warning indicator sensor before releasing the electrical connectors and pin-type retainers from the Clock Spring electrical connector. Removal of the Clock Spring begins with extracting the wire harness through the column wire holders while you remove both its retaining clips to detach the Clock Spring. Installation requires the removal of the sealing key when keeping the rotor in its center position and preventing it from turning. To recenter the Clock Spring maintain the outer housing still while rotating the rotor counterwise until resistance occurs before rotating it clockwise three turns. Before reinstalling a reused Clock Spring users must remove existing tape but should not rotate it while doing so. Mount the Clock Spring onto its mount point in the steering column while securing the retaining clips first and feed the wire harness into position through its wire holders. Secure the upper steering column shroud afterward and fasten the four steering column nuts until they reach 15 Nm (11 lb-ft) torque. Install shift indicator cables and their housings when working on vehicles that use column shift. Also connect Clock Spring electrical wiring at the same time. Afterward attach the key-in-ignition warning indicator switch sensor with the PATS transmitter to its retaining screw. Screw in the lower steering column shroud together with the three screws while positioning the ignition switch lock cylinder at the OFF position. Insert the tilt wheel handle and shank and fasten the lower steering column opening cover with reinforcement by tightening its two bolts to 7 Nm (62 lb-in). Before putting on the steering wheel, make sure wheels are parallel. After that return the driver air bag module and reactivate the system.