Are those cheap ebay clocksprings worth using?

[slacktide_bitog]

I just ordered a clockspring on ebay for $15

Subarus usually just lose the horn. Presumably if airbag was inop you'd get an airbag light.

None of the buttons on the wheel work, either (bluetooth, cruise control, radio, etc)

 

[fdcg27]

Subarus usually just lose the horn. Presumably if airbag was inop you'd get an airbag light.

However, yeah, Subaru was forced to essentially give a lifetime warranty on seat belts after they failed to retract and the belts tended to fray. Those models are now so old most dealers don't know about it, so you have to stand your ground on that one.

I suppose if it applies to seat belts in Subarus and consider all the Takata airbag recalls in other makes -- I guess a clock spring could be similar IF it's actually triggering an airbag light.

OTOH in both the case of the '11 Outback and the '13 Highlander the owners wanted it fixed because they tried to honk at someone who was merging into them and discovered their horns did not work. They then felt unsafe not having that ability to potentially communicate with other drivers. So there's a solid argument to be made that a functioning horn is a safety item.

According to Google:
"Every state with an active vehicle safety inspection program checks for a working horn. If your state requires a periodic safety inspection, your horn must be operational to pass.States with safety inspections verify the following:Audibility: The horn must be clearly heard from a set distance, usually 200 feet.Accessibility: The horn button must be within easy reach of the driver.Prohibited Devices: You will fail the inspection if you use a siren, bell, or unreasonably loud warning device reserved for emergency vehicles.States with periodic safety inspections include:
Delaware
Hawaii
Louisiana
Maine
Massachusetts
Missouri
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Texas (safety requirements still apply in many metropolitan areas)
Vermont
West Virginia"

Is a horn required under federal standards?
From what I can find, it appears to be, so any pattern failure of that system would be subject to a safety recall.
Random in-service failures would not require any action, just as random airbag system failures don't result in recalls and free repairs.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Is a horn required under federal standards?
From what I can find, it appears to be, so any pattern failure of that system would be subject to a safety recall.
Random in-service failures would not require any action, just as random airbag system failures don't result in recalls and free repairs.

There is a "significant risk of death or injury" portion of recalling stuff.

So if the horn did not work, that would be noticeable and not be likely to cause a immediate risk of death or injury. Same with an airbag light - the intent is to take the car to be fixed - its warned you.

Things that do get recalled - are things that can't be predicted. For example Nissan had to recall a bunch of fuel sending units because people could run out of gas leaving them stranded in the middle of the road, while the fuel gauge says 1/4 full for example. Same for airbags that either go off on there own, or don't go off at all, for example.

Yes, seems a bit arbitrary, but I have never heard of a clock spring having a NTSB recall.

 

[fdcg27]

There is a "significant risk of death or injury" portion of recalling stuff.

So if the horn did not work, that would be noticeable and not be likely to cause a immediate risk of death or injury. Same with an airbag light - the intent is to take the car to be fixed - its warned you.

Things that do get recalled - are things that can't be predicted. For example Nissan had to recall a bunch of fuel sending units because people could run out of gas leaving them stranded in the middle of the road, while the fuel gauge says 1/4 full for example. Same for airbags that either go off on there own, or don't go off at all, for example.

Yes, seems a bit arbitrary, but I have never heard of a clock spring having a NTSB recall.

May simply be a matter of not enough reports being filed to prompt agency action.

 

[D60]

I just ordered a clockspring on ebay for $15



None of the buttons on the wheel work, either (bluetooth, cruise control, radio, etc)

You should keep this thread updated. I've never seen them as low as $15, but I paid $22 for the first one I did in a '15 Forester

Looking at my ebay history, I completely forgot I recently put a cheap import in an '04 F350 also. About $45 and it got rid of the airbag light and restored cruise buttons on the wheel:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/271925705492

A 2004 Ford 6.0 PSD with 245k miles isn't worth top tier parts

 

[SC Maintenance]

You should keep this thread updated. I've never seen them as low as $15, but I paid $22 for the first one I did in a '15 Forester

Looking at my ebay history, I completely forgot I recently put a cheap import in an '04 F350 also. About $45 and it got rid of the airbag light and restored cruise buttons on the wheel:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/271925705492

A 2004 Ford 6.0 PSD with 245k miles isn't worth top tier parts

On the parts pricing - Nissan only sells the clock spring with both stocks and the steering angle sensor.

The stocks have to come off for removal / install anyway (its essentially a connector). The steering angle sensor is literally 3 screws. It needs to be recalibrated anyway on install - its a simple process with a decent OBD tool. So essentially your replacing parts that do not need to be replaced.

If Nissan would simply sell the clock spring it would be more affordable. I realize that many OEM's do this, but that is part of the cost problem.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

You should keep this thread updated. I've never seen them as low as $15, but I paid $22 for the first one I did in a '15 Forester

Looking at my ebay history, I completely forgot I recently put a cheap import in an '04 F350 also. About $45 and it got rid of the airbag light and restored cruise buttons on the wheel:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/271925705492

A 2004 Ford 6.0 PSD with 245k miles isn't worth top tier parts

Here is the $15 clockspring