Airbag System Adjustments; Clockspring Centering - Jeep Cherokee 2000 Service Manual

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REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION (Continued)
tion of Group 8E - Instrument Panel Systems for the
procedures.
(8) Install the steering wheel onto the steering col-
umn upper shaft. Be certain to index the flats on the
hub of the steering wheel with the formations on the
inside of the clockspring rotor. Pull the upper clock-
spring wire harnesses through the lower hole in the
steering wheel armature.
(9) Install and tighten the steering wheel mount-
ing nut. Tighten the nut to 61 N·m (45 ft. lbs.). Be
certain not to pinch the wire harnesses between the
steering wheel and the nut.
(10) If the vehicle is so equipped, reconnect the
upper clockspring wire harness connector to the
steering wheel wire harness for the vehicle speed
control switches.
(11) Install the driver side airbag module onto the
steering wheel. Refer to Driver Side Airbag Mod-
ule in the Removal and Installation section of this
group for the procedures.
ADJUSTMENTS

CLOCKSPRING CENTERING

The clockspring is designed to wind and unwind
when the steering wheel is rotated, but is only
designed to rotate the same number of turns (about
five complete rotations) as the steering wheel can be
turned from stop to stop. Centering the clockspring
indexes the clockspring tape to other steering compo-
nents so that it can operate within its designed
travel limits. The rotor of a centered clockspring can
be rotated two and one-half turns in either direction
from the centered position, without damaging the
clockspring tape.
However, if the clockspring is removed for service
or if the steering column is disconnected from the
steering gear, the clockspring tape can change posi-
tion relative to the other steering components. The
clockspring must then be re-centered following com-
pletion of the service or the clockspring tape may be
damaged.
Service replacement clocksprings are shipped pre-
centered and with a locking pin installed. This lock-
ing pin should not be removed until the clockspring
has been installed on the steering column. If the
locking pin is removed before the clockspring is
installed on a steering column, the clockspring cen-
tering procedure must be performed.
WARNING: THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS A SENSITIVE,
COMPLEX ELECTROMECHANICAL UNIT. BEFORE
ATTEMPTING TO DIAGNOSE OR SERVICE ANY AIR-
BAG SYSTEM OR RELATED STEERING WHEEL,
STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL
COMPONENTS YOU MUST FIRST DISCONNECT
PASSIVE RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND)
CABLE. THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYS-
TEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE FUR-
THER SYSTEM SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE
WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE
TO DO THIS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIR-
BAG 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 clockspring from the steering col-
umn. Refer to Clockspring in the Removal and
Installation section of this group for the procedures.
(3) Hold the clockspring case in one hand so that it
is oriented as it would be when it is installed on the
steering column (Fig. 16).
Fig. 16 Clockspring
1 – LOCKING PIN
2 – ROTOR FLATS
3 – CASE
4 – UPPER CLOCKSPRING WIRE HARNESSES (WIRES NOT
SHOWN)
5 – ROTOR
6 – INDEX HOLE
(4) Use your other hand to rotate the clockspring
rotor clockwise to the end of its travel. Do not apply
excessive torque.
(5) From the end of the clockwise travel, rotate the
rotor about two and one-half turns counterclockwise,
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