RAM 2500 Truck 4WD L6-5.9L DSL Turbo VIN 7 (2001)
Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: Service and Repair
REMOVAL
The clockspring cannot be repaired. It must be replaced if faulty or damaged, or if the driver airbag has been deployed.
WARNING: DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, OR
INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE
(GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE
PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM.
FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE
PERSONAL INJURY.
NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain to turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.
1. Place the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.
2. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel. (Refer to RESTRAINTS/DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL).
3. If the vehicle is so equipped, disconnect the clockspring pigtail wire connectors from the speed control switches and the remote radio switches
located within the hub cavity of the steering wheel.
4. Remove the nut that secures the steering wheel armature to the steering column upper shaft, which is located within the hub cavity of the steering
wheel.
5. Pull the steering wheel OFF of the steering column upper shaft spline using a steering wheel puller (Special Tool C-3428-B).
6. Remove the steering column opening cover from the instrument panel.
7. If the vehicle is so equipped, unscrew the lever from the tilt steering column adjuster mechanism located on the left side of the column just below
the multi-function switch control stalk. Turn the lever counterclockwise to unscrew it from the adjuster.
Fig.9 Steering Column Shrouds Remove/Install - Typical
8. From below the steering column, remove the two outboard screws that secure the upper shroud to the lower outer shroud.
9. Press carefully inward on each side of the outer shrouds to release the snap features and remove the upper outer shroud from the lower outer
shroud.
10. From below the steering column, remove the one center screw that secures the lower outer shroud to the steering column housing.
11. Remove the lower outer shroud from the steering column.
12. From below the steering column, remove the two screws that secure the lower inner shroud to the steering column housing and the upper inner
shroud.
13. Press carefully inward on the gearshift lever side of the inner shrouds to release the snap features and remove the lower inner shroud from the
steering column.
14. Disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector for the clockspring from the lower clockspring connector receptacle.