Steering Column Question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
Steering Column Question
I have the steering column disassembled like in the borrowed picture below (I have the turn signal switch pulled out a bit).
Is it normal for the shaft to be able to move freely up/down, left/right, in a circle or is there something wrong?
Also, has anyone replaced the clock spring? Curious as to how to get the clock spring electrical connector down the steering column without damaging it or the other wires in the column.
I was going to pull all the wires in the column up and then push them all back down, but one of the connectors is quite large and is never going to fit into the column.
Any help or hints will be greatly appreciated.
Is it normal for the shaft to be able to move freely up/down, left/right, in a circle or is there something wrong?
Also, has anyone replaced the clock spring? Curious as to how to get the clock spring electrical connector down the steering column without damaging it or the other wires in the column.
I was going to pull all the wires in the column up and then push them all back down, but one of the connectors is quite large and is never going to fit into the column.
Any help or hints will be greatly appreciated.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,381
Likes: 2,736
I have the steering column disassembled like in the borrowed picture below (I have the turn signal switch pulled out a bit).
Is it normal for the shaft to be able to move freely up/down, left/right, in a circle or is there something wrong?
Also, has anyone replaced the clock spring? Curious as to how to get the clock spring electrical connector down the steering column without damaging it or the other wires in the column.
I was going to pull all the wires in the column up and then push them all back down, but one of the connectors is quite large and is never going to fit into the column.
Any help or hints will be greatly appreciated.
Is it normal for the shaft to be able to move freely up/down, left/right, in a circle or is there something wrong?
Also, has anyone replaced the clock spring? Curious as to how to get the clock spring electrical connector down the steering column without damaging it or the other wires in the column.
I was going to pull all the wires in the column up and then push them all back down, but one of the connectors is quite large and is never going to fit into the column.
Any help or hints will be greatly appreciated.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-Steering-Column-Clockspring-out-of-a-1997-Oldsmobile-Cutlass-Supreme-/171180790940?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item27db2b949c&vxp=mtr
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
WVZR-1: yep....I saw in a diagram somewhere that the yellow shell is a separate piece so I have removed it from the connector on the broken clock spring...that is still in the car; used a precision screwdriver and came right off.
I was going to practice using the broken clock spring to see if it will go through the column before I try the replacement one.
I would like to know how someone replaces the turn signal switch. I have searched YouTube but have yet to see an actual video of the turn signal connector going through the steering column. Only way I can see is that the steering shaft would have to be removed.....not going to do that unless I have to.
To bad that the tiny connector on the backside of the clock spring does not come-off, would be really easy to pull that one up through the column.
I was going to practice using the broken clock spring to see if it will go through the column before I try the replacement one.
I would like to know how someone replaces the turn signal switch. I have searched YouTube but have yet to see an actual video of the turn signal connector going through the steering column. Only way I can see is that the steering shaft would have to be removed.....not going to do that unless I have to.
To bad that the tiny connector on the backside of the clock spring does not come-off, would be really easy to pull that one up through the column.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 25,381
Likes: 2,736
WVZR-1: yep....I saw in a diagram somewhere that the yellow shell is a separate piece so I have removed it from the connector on the broken clock spring...that is still in the car; used a precision screwdriver and came right off.
I was going to practice using the broken clock spring to see if it will go through the column before I try the replacement one.
I would like to know how someone replaces the turn signal switch. I have searched YouTube but have yet to see an actual video of the turn signal connector going through the steering column. Only way I can see is that the steering shaft would have to be removed.....not going to do that unless I have to.
To bad that the tiny connector on the backside of the clock spring does not come-off, would be really easy to pull that one up through the column.
I was going to practice using the broken clock spring to see if it will go through the column before I try the replacement one.
I would like to know how someone replaces the turn signal switch. I have searched YouTube but have yet to see an actual video of the turn signal connector going through the steering column. Only way I can see is that the steering shaft would have to be removed.....not going to do that unless I have to.
To bad that the tiny connector on the backside of the clock spring does not come-off, would be really easy to pull that one up through the column.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
With a bit more disassembly; the metal panel that the lower trim panel screws to and also the column bracket and finally the plastic wire tray, I had no trouble getting the clock spring connector up or down the column.
Now I am just waiting for the replacement clock spring to arrive from the salvage yard I purchased it from; supposed to be here on Tues Oct 7th.
Also took the clock spring apart to see just what it was I broke; broke the ribbon wire at the connector, no way to repair.
Now I am just waiting for the replacement clock spring to arrive from the salvage yard I purchased it from; supposed to be here on Tues Oct 7th.
Also took the clock spring apart to see just what it was I broke; broke the ribbon wire at the connector, no way to repair.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,328
Likes: 15
From: Jacksonville FL
When I fished a new turn signal assembly harness thru the column housing I taped the wide connector to the wires to keep it as narrow as possible and to cover all the possible hang up points. I am sure this will help with fishing any wires thru.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,323
Likes: 142
From: Green Valley Arizona
I was able to pull the SIR clock spring wire down the column with very little problem. Would not want to try to do the turn signal harness & connector though!
All done.
All done.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 7
From: Ft Wayne IN
With a bit more disassembly; the metal panel that the lower trim panel screws to and also the column bracket and finally the plastic wire tray, I had no trouble getting the clock spring connector up or down the column.
Now I am just waiting for the replacement clock spring to arrive from the salvage yard I purchased it from; supposed to be here on Tues Oct 7th.
Also took the clock spring apart to see just what it was I broke; broke the ribbon wire at the connector, no way to repair.
Now I am just waiting for the replacement clock spring to arrive from the salvage yard I purchased it from; supposed to be here on Tues Oct 7th.
Also took the clock spring apart to see just what it was I broke; broke the ribbon wire at the connector, no way to repair.
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