Clock spring, Haynes manual warning?

[CarMad12]

I just changed the steering wheel on my car and when removing the old one, the entire clock spring came off with it due to a broken clip. I've realigned the clock spring so that it has slack on full lock both left and right, I've also put a new clip on it. Sadly, I can't help but notice the huge capital letters and bold warning in the Haynes manual. "Do not rotate the clock spring with the steering wheel removed"

Looking online, it just seems to be due to the alignment thing so you don't align it incorrectly and break the ribbon cable. If that's the case, why doesn't the Haynes say "Try to avoid turning the clock spring otherwise you'll have to realign it"

Therefore I just want to check there isn't something I'm missing is there? I don't fancy the air bag blowing up the second I reconnect the battery!

[TEKNOPUG]

CarMad12 said:

I just changed the steering wheel on my car and when removing the old one, the entire clock spring came off with it due to a broken clip. I've realigned the clock spring so that it has slack on full lock both left and right, I've also put a new clip on it. Sadly, I can't help but notice the huge capital letters and bold warning in the Haynes manual. "Do not rotate the clock spring with the steering wheel removed"

Looking online, it just seems to be due to the alignment thing so you don't align it incorrectly and break the ribbon cable. If that's the case, why doesn't the Haynes say "Try to avoid turning the clock spring otherwise you'll have to realign it"

Therefore I just want to check there isn't something I'm missing is there? I don't fancy the air bag blowing up the second I reconnect the battery!

You may get an airbag warning light
Your horn may not work
Your airbag may not deploy