Taurus V6-183 3.0L VIN U FI (1993)
Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Service and Repair
The electrical circuit necessary for system deployment is powered directly from battery and back-up power supply. To avoid accidental
deployment and possible personal injury, the airbag system must be deactivated prior to repairing or replacing any system components.
Fasteners used on airbag components must be replaced after removal. The fasteners are coated with an epoxy adhesive making them non-reusable.
Removal
1.
Park vehicle with wheels in straight ahead position, then turn ignition switch to Lock position and rotate steering wheel approximately 16°
counterclockwise until locked into position.
2.
Deactivate airbag system.
3.
Remove steering wheel as follows:
a.
Working from rear of steering wheel, remove four nuts attaching airbag module to wheel.
b.
Lift airbag module from wheel and disconnect airbag module to slip ring clockspring connector.
c.
Remove and discard steering wheel attaching bolt.
d.
Remove steering wheel from upper shaft using steering wheel remover No. T67L-3600-A or equivalent. Do not use a knock-off type steering
wheel puller or strike end of steering column upper shaft with a hammer, otherwise, damage will occur to bearing of collapsible steering
column.
4.
Remove upper and lower shrouds.
Clockspring Removal
5.
Disconnect airbag slip ring connector from column harness. Before removing airbag clockspring type slip ring from steering shaft,
clockspring must be taped, Fig. 65, to prevent clockspring rotor from being turned accidentally and damaging clockspring.
6.
Remove two retaining screws and the slip ring.
Installation
Service replacement slip ring will contain a red colored locking insert to prevent rotation. This insert should not be removed until slip ring is installed
on column.
1.
Place airbag slip ring onto steering shaft and install two retaining screws that attach slip ring to retainer plate, ensuring ground wire pigtail is
secured with lower retaining screw.
2.
Remove locking insert.
3.
Connect slip ring wire to column harness.
4.
Install upper and lower shrouds.
5.
Install steering wheel as follows:
a.
Position steering wheel on end of steering wheel shaft, aligning mark on steering wheel with mark on shaft to ensure that straight ahead
steering wheel position corresponds to straight ahead position of front wheels.
b.
Install new steering wheel attaching nut. Torque to 30-40 ft. lbs.
c.
Connect airbag module wire to slip ring connector and place module on steering wheel, then install four retaining nuts. Torque to 35-53 inch
lbs.
6.
Connect battery ground cable and activate airbag system.
