Transferring Existing Clock Spring (?)

[NDL]

Hello Y'all!

I have looked online for resources, but I have come up short:

I am swapping out steering columns on my Ford Ranger; the truck currently has a fixed column, and I am swapping the existing column out for a tilt column from the same model year truck.

The donor column does not have a clock spring, so I will have to pull the clock spring off of my column, and mount it onto the tilt column.

All of the video's and how-to's online show you how to mount a new clockspring onto a steering column, but no one has shown how to transfer an existing clockspring from one column to another.

This is my first time doing it, and I don't want to ruin the clockspring, as a new clockspring runs around $100. Can anyone walk me through the process?

Thanks in advance

 

[exranger06]

Just make sure the front wheels are pointed straight ahead when you remove it from the old column. Don't turn the inner portion while it's off; keep it in the same position. Make sure front wheels are still pointed straight ahead when you install it on new column.

 

[NDL]

Thanks Ranger

(pretending that I am sitting in my driver's seat, directly in front of the column):

Do I just pull the clockspring towards myself? Is anything holding it in place (outside of electrical connections)?

 

[mk378]

Whenever work involves R&R an air bag you need to find and follow the factory directions for your safety.

 

[exranger06]

Originally Posted By: mk378
Whenever work involves R&R an air bag you need to find and follow the factory directions for your safety.

I keep hearing people say this, as if you need a freakin bomb squad to disconnect an airbag. All you need to do is disconnect the battery and wait about 15 minutes for any capacitors to discharge. This is the procedure for basically every car ever made with airbags.
Originally Posted By: NDL
Thanks Ranger

(pretending that I am sitting in my driver's seat, directly in front of the column):

Do I just pull the clockspring towards myself? Is anything holding it in place (outside of electrical connections)?

There are probably a few bolts holding the outer part in place. They should be in plain view. It's been a few years since I did one and my memory is fuzzy. After all the bolts are out, yes you just pull it straight towards you.

 

[NDL]

Originally Posted By: mk378
Whenever work involves R&R an air bag you need to find and follow the factory directions for your safety.


Appreciate the warning.

Originally Posted By: exranger06
There are probably a few bolts holding the outer part in place. They should be in plain view. It's been a few years since I did one and my memory is fuzzy. After all the bolts are out, yes you just pull it straight towards you.


Thanks Ranger...that sounds easy enough.