I got my steering rack changed yesterday and the mechanic didn't lock the wheel before doing so. My steering wheel did more then 360 degree turn before he put the knuckle back onto the pinion and I don't know much about cars but that didn't seem right to me. So well when he was done i tried to turn my wheel but it wouldn't move....SNAP, broke the clock spring. He didn't line up the wheels before reinstalling the steering rack so the wheels are tilted which I'm gonna have fixed today when I take it back. Does my steering wheel have to be rotated back a certain amount of degrees to change the clock spring? Or can I just install a new one after the guy adjusts the wheels? I would rather change the clock spring myself because it's ridiculous that I took the car in for one problem and gained another and I'd rather not have him fix that and create ANOTHER one in the process. I can't find any detailed info on changing it anywhere. I know to remove negative on battery and remove airbag and steering wheel nut but that's about it. I really need help on this, my horn doesn't work anymore and I really need it for the ridiculous drivers here.

 

The guy should buy you a new clock spring, he messed it up. Get the steering working properly first, if there is still slack in the wheel that is dangerous and needs to be fixed.

To replace the clock spring, point the wheels of the car straight ahead before removing the steering wheel. I think you'll need to remove the clamshell trim pieces from the top and bottom of the column to be able to reach the back of the clock spring and unplug it. There is a little pointer mechanism on the clock spring to show when it is in the straight ahead position. Install it in that position.

 

Did you take it just to one mechanic or to a shop?

 

Took it to a mechanic. My regular mechanic apparently went to Jamaica or something . When I drive on rough road it feels like the steering rack isn't secured properly either so I haven't driven it except to take it back to him this morning but of course he wasn't there [>:]. I'm just gonna have him fix the wheel and tell him he has to get me a replacement clock spring. Is there a diagram of steering wheel removal and clock spring installation so I can put it in myself when I get another one? It's ridiculous that I took it to have one thing fixed and got another damage so I'd rather do the clock spring myself and tighten the rack. He actually told me to put ANY power steering fluid back in the reservoir so I laughed....but really I was thinking wtf?! I told him that crap messes up the O-rings n stuff and causes leaks which is why I had to replace it to begin with so I drove to a local shop and got two bottles of Honda Power Steering. Now I know who NOT to go to anymore. I went in the first place cuz my uncle suggested him to me.

 

Took my car back to the guy he didn't even bother to fix my steering. Aside from that, I told him the clock spring broke. He asked how much it costs and I told him about $70 or so.....he then said give him $30 for the job which he was originally charging me $60. Afterward, he just wanted an old cd player I had to kill the whole deal. How the H is that killing a deal when he's winning either way. I just left after that!



So on a lighter note, can anyone tell me how to re-adjust the steering wheel back by myself? He said that the steering rack would have to be loosened for that and the manual says not to re-adjust the steering wheel by other means (rotation of it's position when putting back on). Can ANYONE help me....PLEASEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

 

if the steering wheel is just not straight thats simple. remove the air bag, clock spring, and then the large NUT in the center that holds the steering wheel ON. pull the nut and then pull the wheel off... then just rotate the wheel around and slide the wheel back on and put it all back together....

also a good idea is to rotate the wheel full LOCK to LOCK, count how many turns it takes and then divide that by half, and turn the wheel around so its right in the center so the wheels are pointing pretty straight forwards and then line the wheel up straight and your good there....

then take it to a real alignment shop and have the alignment done so it drives straight and saves your tires!