why do i keep breaking clock springs?!?!?!?!? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

sw20>>s14 · 05-27-2011, 10:23 PM

i installed a steering wheel and hub on my last s14 YEARS ago with no problems...no airbag light (with resistor) and working horn...

when transferring the same parts to my next s14, i installed it and broke the clock spring after installing everything and driving...i heard a lot of tension and something distinctly breaking...i figured i must have messed with the position or something...

installed another one, broke (tension/sound)...installed another one, broke (tension/sound)...finally installed my third one last week, with a different position...worked fine and today airbag light flashes again...

so my question is, what is the correct position of the clock spring? from what i remember (its been a while since the first install) and from what i see online, the proper/oem position should be like this:

big circle=clock spring
square=wiring for airbag/horn
small circle=peg/nub

with this position, i noticed that you only have half a turn to the right, and 1.5 turns to the left...ALL my breaks were right turns with the feeling of "not having enough slack" so i figured i was making the same mistake each time, but i could have swore this is the correct position from factory...

so this last time, i installed it like this:

in this position, i counted exactly one turn to the left and one turn to the right so it was even...worked perfect for about a week until today when my srs light started randomly flashing...no tension, no breaking sounds...

i even read the instructions on the clock spring itself and they dont make sense...it tells you to go all the way to the right and turn 2.5 turns until the triangles are lined up...the thing doesnt even make 2.5 turns...it maxes out at 2 full turns each direction, at which point the triangles dont line up...

sorry for the simple and noob question, but im really getting tired of buying clock springs!

sw20>>s14 · 05-31-2011, 04:17 PM

tips anyone?

!Zar! · 05-31-2011, 06:46 PM

I just took my clock spring out.

This helps you in no way at all.

I know.

hahaha

naw_speed · 05-31-2011, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by !Zar!

I just took my clock spring out.

This helps you in no way at all.

I know.

hahaha

funny.... i was gona say pull the light bulb

codyace · 06-01-2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sw20>>s14

tips anyone?

I never really knew of a guide or a certain spot for all of th stuff, I always 'centered' the clock spring on the hub and went from there. I know it doesn't help 100% but just another opinion.

sw20>>s14 · 06-01-2011, 05:43 PM

thanks for the tips guys, but it just bothers me that i have everything to make this work correctly...for some reason or another, it never does...any other pointers i may be missing on this trivial "install?"

idlafie · 06-05-2011, 11:57 AM

You probably installed the clock spring correctly, but the "brain" for your airbag system may be crapping out. There's a method for putting the Airbag "brain" into diagnostic mode that involves putting the key in the ignition, turning it to the "ON" position, (but NOT starting the car), and clicking the driver side door pin switch three or seven times...sorry I don't remember the procedure anymore...it's been too long.

Anyhow, you need to figure out why the "brain" is flashing the code. Chances are I think the "brain" may be fried. They have been known to crap out. Only way to know for sure is to get your hands on a Factory Service Manual and diagnose the problem.

I had the flashing Airbag Light with my S14 years ago, (before I sold it). Luckily for me, the car was still under warranty when it went out...turns out the "brain" died..... The Airbag ECU can be found underneath the rear bench seats...you'll see it once you pull the rear bench seat out...just look for the wiring harness wrapped with YELLOW tape....that's the airbag system wiring harness...

Hope this helps.

ID

05-27-2011, 10:23 PM	#1
sw20>>s14 Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: bay area Posts: 5,656 Trader Rating: (19) Feedback Score: 19 reviews	why do i keep breaking clock springs?!?!?!?!? i installed a steering wheel and hub on my last s14 YEARS ago with no problems...no airbag light (with resistor) and working horn... when transferring the same parts to my next s14, i installed it and broke the clock spring after installing everything and driving...i heard a lot of tension and something distinctly breaking...i figured i must have messed with the position or something... installed another one, broke (tension/sound)...installed another one, broke (tension/sound)...finally installed my third one last week, with a different position...worked fine and today airbag light flashes again... so my question is, what is the correct position of the clock spring? from what i remember (its been a while since the first install) and from what i see online, the proper/oem position should be like this: big circle=clock spring square=wiring for airbag/horn small circle=peg/nub with this position, i noticed that you only have half a turn to the right, and 1.5 turns to the left...ALL my breaks were right turns with the feeling of "not having enough slack" so i figured i was making the same mistake each time, but i could have swore this is the correct position from factory... so this last time, i installed it like this: in this position, i counted exactly one turn to the left and one turn to the right so it was even...worked perfect for about a week until today when my srs light started randomly flashing...no tension, no breaking sounds... i even read the instructions on the clock spring itself and they dont make sense...it tells you to go all the way to the right and turn 2.5 turns until the triangles are lined up...the thing doesnt even make 2.5 turns...it maxes out at 2 full turns each direction, at which point the triangles dont line up... sorry for the simple and noob question, but im really getting tired of buying clock springs! __________________ s14\| y34\| 911 gts\| exige s\| 600rr\| r3\| 250r\| 85 girlfriend

05-31-2011, 04:17 PM	#2
sw20>>s14 Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: bay area Posts: 5,656 Trader Rating: (19) Feedback Score: 19 reviews	tips anyone? __________________ s14\| y34\| 911 gts\| exige s\| 600rr\| r3\| 250r\| 85 girlfriend

05-31-2011, 06:46 PM	#3
!Zar! Post Whore! Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: North Korea Posts: 14,579 Trader Rating: (27) Feedback Score: 27 reviews	I just took my clock spring out. This helps you in no way at all. I know. hahaha __________________

06-01-2011, 05:43 PM	#6
sw20>>s14 Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: bay area Posts: 5,656 Trader Rating: (19) Feedback Score: 19 reviews	thanks for the tips guys, but it just bothers me that i have everything to make this work correctly...for some reason or another, it never does...any other pointers i may be missing on this trivial "install?" __________________ s14\| y34\| 911 gts\| exige s\| 600rr\| r3\| 250r\| 85 girlfriend

06-05-2011, 11:57 AM	#7
idlafie Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: ..So Cal.... Posts: 940 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You probably installed the clock spring correctly, but the "brain" for your airbag system may be crapping out. There's a method for putting the Airbag "brain" into diagnostic mode that involves putting the key in the ignition, turning it to the "ON" position, (but NOT starting the car), and clicking the driver side door pin switch three or seven times...sorry I don't remember the procedure anymore...it's been too long. Anyhow, you need to figure out why the "brain" is flashing the code. Chances are I think the "brain" may be fried. They have been known to crap out. Only way to know for sure is to get your hands on a Factory Service Manual and diagnose the problem. I had the flashing Airbag Light with my S14 years ago, (before I sold it). Luckily for me, the car was still under warranty when it went out...turns out the "brain" died..... The Airbag ECU can be found underneath the rear bench seats...you'll see it once you pull the rear bench seat out...just look for the wiring harness wrapped with YELLOW tape....that's the airbag system wiring harness... Hope this helps. ID __________________ Weekend Mechanic for my Not-So-Mechanically-Inclined buddies....