Gen I Air Bag Clockspring Source

[sdpatt]

I need to replace the air bag clockspring in my 1991, but have found that Ford has discontinued the part. Has anyone been able to find, fit or cross reference a clockspring that will work in the Gen I SHOs? The parts catalogs show the part for only the Gen III Taurus and it appears not to have the screw holes where the Gen I-II parts are mounted. A search through this forum found no helpful part numbers.

 

[shopartsnw]

Scott,

I have had a tough time finding clock springs myself. I know there were at least 3 different clock springs used on the Gen1/2 cars. The biggest difference is the plug ends, so if you are willing to do some splicing (at worst), I know I have a clock spring for a later Gen2. Send me a picture of what your clock spring along with the connector ends, and I will see what we have.

Email me at MIKE at SHOsource dot COM

Mike

 

[luigisho]

Mike are there aftermarket units available for this piece or do you have old stock?

 

[sdpatt]

Mike are there aftermarket units available for this piece or do you have old stock?

Might you know what the supplier name and part number would be for a Gen I compatible unit? I have searched through outfits like Dorman, but have not found a unit targeted specifically towards the Gen I Tauruses.

I know that the last part I bought from Ford in 2005 time frame (see topic here) replaced the cruise control slip rings with additional clockspring contacts. The part number was still for a 1991: F1OY-14A664-D. There are various versions of the basic part number (14A664) for different Ford models and there are likely others that will fit without splicing connectors.

I did find a Forum post in the electronics section that said other later model Ford clocksprings will fit with some unused connectors for buttons that did not exist on our SHOs. However, the post did not provide any part numbers or details. Let's reveal them here.

 

[sdpatt]

Mike,

Between work (long days) and family (kids sports, holiday gatherings, etc.) activities, foul weather and a partially stripped steering wheel puller bolt hole from jobs long ago, I have been reluctant to remove the steering wheel without a replacement clockspring on hand. I have been looking around for alternate sources of direct replacements. I hope soon to acquire a photo of the clockspring and connectors to assist in my search for replacements.

Will keep you posted,
Scott

Scott,

I have had a tough time finding clock springs myself. I know there were at least 3 different clock springs used on the Gen1/2 cars. The biggest difference is the plug ends, so if you are willing to do some splicing (at worst), I know I have a clock spring for a later Gen2. Send me a picture of what your clock spring along with the connector ends, and I will see what we have.

Email me at MIKE at SHOsource dot COM

Mike

 

[19sho90]

Have you thought about possibly getting rid of the airbagged wheel and going with an aftermarket one??

 

[sdpatt]

Have you thought about possibly getting rid of the airbagged wheel and going with an aftermarket one??

That would be no.

 

[luigisho]

Ha ha. Scott, I noticed when I did a clockspring for a Ranger years ago there was a plastic tab that kept the spring from unwinding until it was installed...then you pull the locking tab out. Can you reuse a clockspring from a parts car without it getting messed up during removal and reinstall?

 

[19sho90]

Just an idea.

That would be no.

 

[my94sho]

Curious if anyone has more information on this discussion? My clock spring seems to be needing replacement so when I saw the initial discussion started by Scott I figured if I scroll down enought I'd have my answer. Surprisingly, I was left hanging

So, inquiring to see if anyone has where a replacement can be obtained (aside from a junkyard) and some farily detailed instructions on how to replace. Pictures are always welcomed. I do have a Helms manual but, well, not the most reliable source.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[jelloslug]

I have a clockspring from an early 2000s Explorer on my '90. The connectors are not the same as the '90 but it mounts to the column with no modifications. It even has the "key in" connection for the lock cylinder.

 

[Devin]

Ha ha. Scott, I noticed when I did a clockspring for a Ranger years ago there was a plastic tab that kept the spring from unwinding until it was installed...then you pull the locking tab out. Can you reuse a clockspring from a parts car without it getting messed up during removal and reinstall?

I had to replace the clock spring in my car out of a JY car. There were no problems with removal/install from what I remember. This was in a 90.

 

[my94sho]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I probably should clairify that I have a 94 auto and therefore wonder if the solutions recommended might apply for a second generation SHO as it has for a first generation SHO.

Thanks,
Chris

 

[jelloslug]

Thanks all for the suggestions. I probably should clairify that I have a 94 auto and therefore wonder if the solutions recommended might apply for a second generation SHO as it has for a first generation SHO.

Thanks,
Chris

Yes, they will work. The mounting points are the same.

 

[sdpatt]

I wanted to bring up this old topic because the failed air bag clockspring once again became an issue with my '91 SHO and this is the top thread that is returned in my Forum searches. The Ford part may have been discontinued, but Dorman makes a compatible part for the Gen I (with air bag) and Gen II. The Dorman 525-201 (about $65 with LLT warranty from O'Reilly and AutoZone) mounts correctly on the steering column and has the required inset in the center for the Gen I and Gen II steering wheel hub. Don't be confused by the picture in the O'Reilly and AutoZone websites as the green object in the center of the clockspring hub is a snap-in clip to prevent the spring from rotating when the component is not installed.

The two, dash side connectors mate properly with my '91 and the 2-conductor air bag connector and ignition cylinder contact mate properly on the steering wheel side. The 3-conductor horn and cruise control connector on the steering wheel side must be replaced with the connector from the outgoing clockspring, at least on my Gen I. I assume the flattened oval Gen I plug was changed to the round plug for the Gen II. A simple splice, solder and heat shrink job will handle this to retrofit the Dorman part to the Gen I (with air bag) as the wires are the same colors in both harnesses.

Thanks to Dorman for helping to keep us rolling (and keep our cars successfully state inspected).