A clock spring is an important mechanism housed between your car’s steering wheel and steering column. Clock springs primarily serve to connect the steering wheel to the rest of the vehicle, allowing electricity to reach the airbag, radio buttons, cruise control, and other features located on the steering wheel. While a clock spring is a smaller part, and cars may technically be drivable without one, they are important for the safe operation of vehicles.
Other names for clock springs include:
- Spiral cable
- Spiral spring
- Contact reel
- Coil assembly
- Cable reel assembly
What do clock springs do?
As mentioned briefly above, a clock spring helps to connect the steering wheel to the rest of the vehicle. It’s technically not a spring, but rather a coil that stores energy on a rotating axis. The wiring required to power airbag deployment, car horns, cruise control, radio buttons, and other steering wheel features would break if it were connected directly through the steering wheel. Clock springs deliver the power these features need to function while allowing the steering wheel to rotate. Clock springs also send signals to the throttle position sensor. This sensor controls the amount of air going into an engine’s intake manifold.
When should you replace a clock spring?
If installed correctly, a clock spring should last for the life of the vehicle. There are times when it may wear out, though. Clock springs can wear with use. They may also need replacing if the car is in a collision or if the airbag has deployed. Signs you may have a clock spring problem include:
- An airbag warning light—If your vehicle has detected a circuit problem around the airbag, you’ll probably see an airbag light on your dashboard. Airbags are an important safety feature, so it’s a good idea to get this checked out as soon as possible.
- A faulty car horn—There are a number of reasons why your car’s horn may stop working. A faulty clock spring means the horn isn’t receiving the power it needs to work. While you can technically drive without a horn, it’s best not to, as horns can be used to communicate with other drivers and pedestrians.
- Strange noises while steering—Broken clock springs may make a clicking sound when you turn the wheel. It’s important to note that cars can make a variety of strange sounds when things go wrong, so a noise from your steering wheel might not be the clock spring, but either way, it’s important to get it looked at.
- Unresponsive steering wheel buttons—If your cruise control, your radio buttons, and any other features on your steering wheel stop working, it might be the clock spring. There may be other electrical issues present, too. It’s best to see a mechanic and get things up and running again.
Call Restored Auto, LLC for your clock spring repair.
If you’re having issues with your clock spring, it’s best to get it fixed as soon as possible. Clock springs can be tricky to install, but the skilled mechanics at Restored Auto, LLC are here to help. Give us a call and schedule your clock spring replacement today!
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