Thread: clock spring

Lock your wheel straight. Disconnect your battery so as to not piss of the SRS and blow the bag.

On the backside of the wheel there's two "spring clips". I don't know what they're called. There's one on each side.
You have to pry and slide them and you'll be able to pull half the bag up. I did one side and then held it while I worked on the other side. Once you get both of the clips released the bag will pop off. Disconnect the connector making sure not to break it.

Once your bag is off pull out the horn ground. It just twists out.
After that's out remove the nut that holds the wheel on the steering shaft.
Then get your puller. I used a 2 jaw puller both times I did these.
Pull your wheel off.
Then pull the clock spring off/disconnect it.


Here's the clip things I was talking about The white part is the plastic behind the clip. The black rod lookin thing is the clip that needs released.



In a nutshell that's the basic procedure. It's not the most complete set of instructions but it'll help you out.
Let me do some hunting and I'll find the procedure to align your new clock spring to make sure it doesn't get broke.

This is for 04-08 clocksprings. But #4 worked for mine. Just find which one the description matches on yours.


"Before you install your new clockspring it must centered following these instructions or it will be damaged when you begin to turn your wheel.


1. Verify the following conditions before centering the SIR coil:
The wheels on the vehicle are straight ahead.
The block tooth (1) of the steering shaft assembly is in the 12 o'clock position.


2. If the front (5) of the SIR coil has a centering window (4), and the back side (2) includes a spring service
lock (1), perform the following steps:
1. Hold the SIR coil with the face up.
2. While depressing the spring service lock, rotate the coil hub clockwise until the coil ribbon stops.
3. Rotate the coil hub slowly, counterclockwise, until the centering window appears yellow and both
arrows (3) line up.
4. Release spring service lock between the locking tab. The SIR coil is now centered.
5. Align the centered SIR coil with the horn tower and slide onto the steering shaft assembly.


3. If the front (4) of the SIR coil has a centering window (3), and the back side (1) includes NO spring
service lock, perform the following steps:
1. Hold the SIR coil with the face up.
2. Rotate the coil hub clockwise until the coil ribbon stops.
3. Rotate the coil hub slowly, counterclockwise until the centering window appears yellow and both
arrows (2) line up. This is the CENTER position.
4. While holding the coil hub in the CENTER position, align the SIR coil with the horn tower and
slide onto the steering shaft assembly.
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix GTP
2004 STEERING Steering Wheel and Column - Grand Prix


4. If the front side (3) of the SIR coil has NO centering window, but the back side (2) includes a spring
service lock (1), perform the following steps:
1. Hold the SIR coil with the back side up.
2. While depressing the spring service lock, rotate the coil hub in the direction of the arrow (4) until
the coil ribbon stops.
3. Still pressing the spring service lock, rotate the coil hub in the opposite direction 21/2 revolutions.
4. Release the spring service lock between locking tabs. The SIR coil is now centered.
5. Align the centered SIR coil with the horn tower and slide onto the steering shaft assembly.


5. If the front side (2) of the SIR coil has NO centering window, and the back side (1) includes NO spring
service lock, perform the following steps:
1. Hold the SIR coil with the face up.
2. Rotate the coil hub in the direction of the arrow until the coil ribbon stops.
3. Rotate the coil hub, slowly, counterclockwise, for 21/2 revolutions. This is the CENTER position.
4. While maintaining the coil hub in the CENTER position, align the centered SIR coil with the horn
tower and slide onto the steering shaft assembly."


From michaelbm on GPONA.

Now. If you pulled the whole column out of another car and locked the wheel straight or know that the clock spring you have is already centered you don't have to do any of that crap. But I figured I'd post it incase you needed it.

I've been meaning to change y clock spring for 2 yrs now. Seems like a pain in the ass as too why I haven't done it yet. LOL

its super simple. after the air bag and wheel is off its just a snap ring holding it on. un plug the wires to it top and bottom and un do the wire harness from the column and its out.

It will be my winter project then. Lol

oh, a small two jaw puller gets the wheel off good too. loosen the nut, but leave it on, then crank on the puller bolt then hit the drive bolt of the puller, the wheel pops free after a few sharp hammer blows. if it dont pop, put another turn on the puller and hit it again.

air bag light on, no power to the radio controls in the wheel. aka dead switches.

the wire is near the obd2 port to the radio.