About to replace the clock spring/steering roll connector in my 98 Imp.

 

Any words of wisdom? I'm going to be following the service manual word for word! Looks fairly simple... but I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little nervous about that airbag!

the air bag is a non-issue if you dis-connect the battery a few minutes before you start. i didn't and i had no trouble, but if you are worried, dis-connect.

 

i did mine a few months ago. i got good advice, like loosening the nut holding the steering wheel on but do not remove it until the steering wheel is loose. you have to pull up on it pretty hard to remove it. if the nut is off, it can fly up in to your face. i used a puller i have but most folks say you don't really need one.

 

the only other thing i remember is keep everything centered while it is apart. and keep the 'new' clock spring centered before you install it.

Good you found one.

 

Did you find one Local and reasonable?

 

Good advice above. The nut and the alignment.

You can yank the steering wheel of with brute strength, but it's a LOT easier to use a puller if you have one.

If you go the brute force route, do what John suggested and loosen the nut 3 or 4 turns but leave it on the steering shaft while you pull on the wheel so it doesn't fly off and re-arrange your facial features.

 

The airbags aren't anything to worry about really, but I wouldn't wear clothes that attract static electricity.

Thankfully I have a steering wheel puller. I don't think I really have very much brute strength to be forcing anything around! I'm a little too girly for that...

 

I didn't find one for a good price. I ended up spending way too much for a piece of plastic, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and I got tired of waiting and calling around. There were none to be found that would fit my car. Oh well.

 

Tomorrow's the day. I'll keep you all posted, if the airbag doesn't blow my face off. I'm sure it'll be fine. I brought it to have the airbag code read for me juuuuust in case it turned out to be something else (didn't want to spend a billion dollars on a clock spring and find out I got the wrong part) and the guy at the shop tried his best to scare me into letting them do it by telling me airbag horror stories. He failed.

 

Thanks for the advice!

I did this on my '98 Fozzie last fall....

 

Just a heads up - that double-clip on the air bag connector plug is a PITA. I've seen posts on other Subie sites - subaruforester.org? - that had some hints (that I can't recall), but I still futzed w/it for longer than I should have.

 

Other than threading the harness (requires a bit of patience), getting the wheel loose (mark its location b4 you get too busy and forget), and the plug , it's not too bad a job.

 

Remove the Neg. battery cable, push on the brake (I've read it helps clear out any residual charge in the electrical system), and you'll keep your nose in place.

 

GL,

Td

Edited March 24, 201115 yr by wtdash

Tomorrow's the day. I'll keep you all posted, if the airbag doesn't blow my face off.

 

Well?!?!

Do you need new teeth or did this go nice and smooth for you?

hahaha sorry to keep you waiting!

 

i haven't gotten a chance to do it yet. i was planning on doing it that day but ended up having one of those days where everything goes wrong and i didn't want to even touch my car for fear of what might happen!

 

and now i'm back in school. but i'm hoping this weekend i'll be able to get it done.

 

i still have all of my teeth.

 

i promise i'll update when its done!

SUCCESS!!!

 

All back together and working! And I still have all of my teeth. Starting it back up after reconnecting the battery was one of the scariest moments ever.

 

It was more work than I thought it would be. Had to take out more parts to get to it than I had anticipated. Now I know! And wtdash, you were SO right about that clip on the airbag connector! The worst part of the whole damn thing!

 

Yay its finally done!

Edited April 2, 201115 yr by 98ImprezaWA

Good beans! Glad to hear it worked, and you're still in one beautiful piece.

Now that airbag will work when you need it most.

Thanks!