Clock Spring Replacement

At the dealer today getting the clock spring replaced. Only 80k on the clock. Quoted $425 to replace it. I guess better safe than sorry.

 

WTH is a clock spring?

 

Some expensive POS that goes in your steering column that if it's bad the SRS/airbags won't work. I think it is wound around the steering column, but I don't really know.

 

I'm not extremely familiar with parts in the steering column, but my initial reaction is *COUGH* BUllshit

 

Here's the independent confirmation!

Yeah, that part is pretty damn important. I just didn't know what it was called.

 

Yeah, that's my first reaction too. But, I've read that it's not that uncommon to have to replace them. I'd replace it myself, but I don't want to mess with the airbag system. Seems like a good bet that's what's bad if your SRS light comes on.

 

spiral cable

 

I asked my bf about this part since everyone is saying it is not covered under warranty...he says they replace them under warranty at the dealership where he works (chevy) .

 

If you're still in your 3 yr 36K warranty there's not a damn thing on the car that is not covered.

 

I've heard the same rumor that they're not covered under warranty. I can't really comment on the warranty though. Mine's 4 years old with 80k, warranty ran out a long time ago.

 

Just had mine replaced last week and it was covered.

 

Yep. Should be covered under warranty. They get replaced more often than you would think. A lot of times, it's the technician's mistake when reassembling the steering column/wheel assy. If they don't put it back on the column in the same position it was in when they removed it, it will pop when the wheel is turned all the way in one direction. You'll usually never hear about it if you didn't bring the vehicle in for that complaint. Sh*t happens. Nobody's perfect. But at least your SRS system is safe when you leave the dealer.

 

Yeah it was discussed here http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/40651-warranty-issuses.html

and a few other threads, seems a few people have had this problem, hope it doesn't turn out to be very common.

 

X2

 

I just had mine replaced last week for $500.
88k on the odo.
Seems faulty if this many people are having to replace it, it shouldn't be a wear item.

 

My busted mud flaps weren't covered when I went in for the rear spring tsb.

I asked if the truck had a 3 yr 36k mile bumper to bumper warranty. He said yes, and my response was aren't the mud flaps in between the bumpers? They broke when the truck was bottoming out.....no luck...

 

If this is part of the SRS system, I would think it would be covered under warranty. Emissions and safety items usually carry much longer warranties. From Toyota's own website:

Warranty Coverages
Vehicles Warranty
Every Toyota Car, Truck and SUV is built to exceptional standards. And that's not idle boasting. We back it up with these Limited Warranty Coverages:
Basic Coverage: 36 months/36,000 miles (all components other than normal wear and maintenance items).
Powertrain Coverage: 60 months/60,000 miles (engine, transmission/transaxle, front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, seatbelts and air bags).
Rust-Through Coverage: 60 months/unlimited miles (corrosion perforation of sheet metal).
Emissions Coverage: Coverages vary under Federal and California regulations. Refer to applicable Owner's Warranty Information booklet for details.
For complete details about Toyota's warranties, please refer to the applicable Owner's Warranty Information booklet or see your Toyota dealer.

 

Got the '05 base cab 4banger. Last time I tried to get the recall issue resolved, the stealership did not have the clock spring and my airbag light came on. I went aftermarket route. Paid only $13 for the clock spring. I don't like to go to dealer since they keep trying to upsell something else for beaucoup dollars. I was expecting to pay $250 to have them do clock spring out of warranty. Since I had extra cash at the time, I also bought the after market cruise control switch for $15. I noticed that there is a grey connector they left unconnected and it didn't go to the clock spring or anywhere else on steering column. Then, I notice some of you all have the steering angle position sensor installed behind the clock spring. Is that what the grey connector goes to? Suppose I get the steering wheel angle position sensor, is it plug and play?

Anyway, I reinstalled the clock spring and still got the airbag light on. Then, I remembered a post that mentioned resetting the airbag system and clearing the codes. So I got a cheapo ELM327 and a phone app that connects to it. Cleared the codes and all is well. No airbag light now. No codes last time I started it.