Clockspring (Spiral Cable)

Has anyone with steering wheel controls dealt with a busted clockspring? Apparently, there's a recall, but it does not include those with steering wheel controls. I ask because mine has broken. I have the infamous airbag light shining on my dashboard. My horn does not work, but my blinkers do. Looks like I'm about to fork over $200 plus for a new one. Any thoughts?

 

Anyone?

 

sound like all your problems may be from the cable reel

 

Are you sure the recall was only non wheel control people? I would call yota and confirm that...

All i can say is that i changed my clockspring, bought a used OEM one on ebay and it works great. I think i only paid like 60 for mine... and it's real easy to change out. Just be safe and leave the battery disconnected for a good 20 mins or so before you start pulling it apart.

 

Alternatives? Chinese knockoffs. Any problems?

 

my Wife drives a 2006 RAV4 and she just got recall for this very item

 

My truck is not covered, according to Toyota's recall site. Further research tells me this is the case with trucks with steering wheel controls.

 

Steering wheel controls?

 

I would stay away from a chinese one. your skull may thank you for it if you ever get in an accident.

 

get a true Toyota OEM part from a toyota dealer

you do not want to mess with a cheap clockspring.

first off it will fail within 10,000 miles guaranteed

 

no, not in her vehicle

 

Subbed for interest.
I'm in the same boat.
In fact, my steering column was making a grinding noise since yesterday and I lost my horn today.
I have a recall notice, but don't want to tie up the truck at the dealership...
I've done airbag replacements before and may engage into it myself.

 

I rear ended an asshole, while being an asshole, back in january. My clock spring was done after that. Horn doesn't work, but everything else on the steering wheel does. Radio controls and no airbag lights.

 

Same boat after doing some interior remodeling on the truck. Subed for updates.

 

There are a bunch of threads on this, the solution is put in a new clockspring. Even complete instructions in a couple threads. Just do a bit of searching. The clockspring has a ribbon of wires in it and my experience was first failure of the lights on the steering wheel controls. Then cruise control, then the airbag light. I bought the part off eBay for $60. It looks and feels identical to the factory one that came out of the truck. Leads me to believe that the reason a lot of us are having problems is because Toyota used the cheap Chinese knock off from day one.

Anyway, it's a quick fix and mine has been good for over 60,000 miles so far.

 

Instead of subbing and waiting for an answer here, go to your toyotaowners.com site and see if you have any recalls on your truck. Itll tell you based on your vin. if you havent signed up on that site, you should its pretty tight. Theres even an app

http://www.toyota.com/owners/

 

Do you remember which one you bought from eBay? Obviously it's a knockoff as it runs $200-250 from the dealership.

 

I'm assuming you haven't had your state inspection yet. Mine's due, thus I need to take care of this. It's an automatic failure.