Dodge 2001 Ram 1500 Owner's Manual page 688

BR/BE
CLOCKSPRING (Continued)
INSTALLATION
The clockspring cannot be repaired. It must be
replaced if faulty or damaged, or if the driver airbag
has been deployed.
If the clockspring is not properly centered in rela-
tion to the steering wheel, steering shaft and steer-
ing gear, it may be damaged. (Refer to 8 -
ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING
STANDARD PROCEDURE - CLOCKSPRING CEN-
TERING). Service replacement clocksprings are
shipped pre-centered and with a piece of tape cover-
ing the engaged clockspring auto-locking tabs. This
tape should not be removed until the clockspring has
been installed on the steering column. If the tape is
removed before the clockspring is installed on a
steering column, the clockspring centering procedure
must be performed.
WARNING: DISABLE
BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL,
STEERING COLUMN, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL
COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCON-
NECT 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 DIS-
ABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE
THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN
ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSI-
BLE PERSONAL INJURY.
NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain
that the front wheels are still in the straight-ahead
position.
(1) Carefully slide the centered clockspring down
over the steering column upper shaft until the clock-
spring latches engage the steering column lock hous-
ing (Fig. 9).
(2) Reconnect the lower clockspring pigtail wire
connector to the instrument panel wire harness con-
nector located near the instrument panel lower rein-
forcement, below the steering column. Be certain that
the pigtail wire locator clips are properly seated on
the outside of the wiring trough and that the connec-
tor latches are fully engaged.
(3) Reconnect the instrument panel wire harness
connector for the clockspring to the lower clockspring
connector receptacle.
(4) Position the lower inner shroud onto the steer-
ing column. Be certain to insert the gearshift lever
hider strip into the channel located on the inside sur-
face of the shroud.
(5) Align the locking tabs on the gearshift lever
side of the upper inner shroud with the receptacles
THE AIRBAG SYSTEM
on the lower inner shroud and apply hand pressure
to snap them together.
(6) From below the steering column, install and
tighten the two screws that secure the lower inner
shroud to the steering column housing and the upper
inner shroud. Tighten the screws to 2 N·m (18 in.
lbs.).
(7) Position the lower outer shroud onto the steer-
-
ing column. Be certain that the lower clockspring
pigtail wire is routed inside the shrouds.
(8) From below the steering column, install and
tighten the one center screw that secures the lower
outer shroud to the steering column housing. Tighten
the screw to 2 N·m (18 in. lbs.).
(9) Align the locking tabs on the upper outer
shroud with the receptacles on the lower outer
shroud and apply hand pressure to snap them
together.
(10) From below the steering column, install and
tighten the two outboard screws that secure the
lower outer shroud to the upper outer shroud.
Tighten the screws to 2 N·m (18 in. lbs.).
(11) If the vehicle is so equipped, reinstall the
lever into the tilt steering column adjuster on the left
side of the column. Turn the lever clockwise to screw
it into the adjuster.
(12) Reinstall the steering column opening cover
onto the instrument panel. (Refer to 23 - BODY/IN-
STRUMENT PANEL/STEERING COLUMN OPEN-
ING COVER - INSTALLATION).
(13) Reinstall the steering wheel onto the steering
column upper shaft. Be certain to index the flats on
the hub of the steering wheel with the formations on
the inside of the clockspring hub. Pull the upper
clockspring pigtail wires through the upper and
lower holes between the steering wheel back trim
cover and the steering wheel armature.
(14) 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 pigtail wires between the
steering wheel and the nut.
(15) If the vehicle is so equipped, reconnect the
upper clockspring pigtail wire connectors to the
speed control switches and/or the remote radio
switches. Be certain that the upper clockspring pig-
tail wires are routed between the steering wheel back
trim cover and the steering wheel armature.
(16) Reinstall the driver airbag onto the steering
wheel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/
DRIVER AIRBAG - INSTALLATION).
RESTRAINTS 8O - 13