Clock spring help

[Prickly_buzz]

Hello,

I need to know how to centralise my clock spring in my 2001 Focus.

The Ford instructions don't seem to make much sense to me.
It simply says to turn it counter clockwise until resistance is felt the turn it back approx 2 1/2 turns.

It seems there is about 26 turns from end to end (where resistance is felt) this seems a lot?


Can someone help?

[Magic919]

The clock spring may be capable of 20-odd turns, but your steering wheel isn't. The wheel does fewer than five, so they suggest two and a half. It doesn't matter as long as you have some slack. If there's too little it will rip.

[Prickly_buzz]

Right so if I just turn it all the way clockwise then back half way I should be fine?

[Magic919]

i can't see any benefit, but can't imagine it doing any harm. I presume you haven't looked inside one. The aim is to ensure the ribbon of wires doesn't bind or tear.

[Prickly_buzz]

Oh yea I have seen inside, cant understand why Ford say turning it only 2 1/2 turns surely doing it to the middle is safest?

[Magic919]

Why is it any safer though? Lots more slack, perhaps increased friction. Assuming the steering is dead straight then they suggest to loosen off enough to keep out of trouble.

[Prickly_buzz]

Magic919 said:

Why is it any safer though? Lots more slack, perhaps increased friction. Assuming the steering is dead straight then they suggest to loosen off enough to keep out of trouble.

Yea true, maybe im being stupid but what's the point in it being able to turn 20+ times if the steering wheel wont ever even turn 10% of that?

[Magic919]

The wheel will probably do about four rotations. They need a cheap mechanism that can tolerate moving clockwise and anti-clockwise over about 1500 degrees. Once the ribbon is long enough to do that and not bind it just ends up being able to do many more if you slacken it right off.

It's cheap, lasts well and gives plenty of latitude for any fitting errors. That's not bad. I've only replaced one and that was my Mondeo Mk2.