clock spring?

[152 Sumo]

After doing some research on t4r.org and other sites, I am pretty sure my clock spring is broke. Airbag light on, no horn, no cruise. Fuse for horn is Ok.

I had my steering rack removed, refurbished, and re-installed at a local shop. They tried to pull a fast one on me. I had called to check on the status while they were installing the rack and they said that it was done, but they had to take it to another location to do the alignment. So, when I got off work, I went straight to the shop. To my surprise, my runner was on the lift. I asked them why. "oh, they forgot to lock the steering wheel in place, so they have to adjust it".

I didn't realize at the time that this should have probably been taken back to be re-aligned. They just eyeballed it and gave me the keys.

Long story, sorry, I will get to the point. A week later, the airbag light comes on, no horn, no cruise. After reading a bit, it seems like the shop did the damage when they forgot to lock the steering wheel. So, when they put it back in the wrong spot and drove it, it probably put stress on the spring, and it finally broke a week later.

Questions:

1. Does this seem like an accurate assumption?

2. Will it be hard to convince the shop that they did the damage and have them eat the cost?

Sorry about the long post. I just wish I would have went to a more professional shop.

Thanks

 

[Nelsonmd]

Can you find a direct citation for not locking the wheel causing damage to the clock spring? I remember reading one post about it, but don't remember the specifics.

 

[152 Sumo]

Can you find a direct citation for not locking the wheel causing damage to the clock spring? I remember reading one post about it, but don't remember the specifics.

I thought I read it somewhere, but not sure. That is what got me thinking about what happened at the shop. When the airbag light came on, the last thing I was thinking about was them forgetting to lock the wheel. But, when I read something about the clock spring not being aligned right, then snapping, it got me thinking.

 

[sn0wrunner]

I think your assumptions are right.

If you are messing with the steering components and it is not done properly, that is when the clock spring will break.

The most common occurrence of this is when doing a body lift. When the steering shaft extension is put in, a lot of people make the mistake of turning the wheel. If the steering shaft is taken apart and the wheel is being turned, that will cause the spring to break.

Its hard to say what the shop is going to say about it. Like you said already, they are kinda shady. I'd definitely go back and tell them they broke it when they replaced the steering rack.

 

[152 Sumo]

I think your assumptions are right.

If you are messing with the steering components and it is not done properly, that is when the clock spring will break.

The most common occurrence of this is when doing a body lift. When the steering shaft extension is put in, a lot of people make the mistake of turning the wheel. If the steering shaft is taken apart and the wheel is being turned, that will cause the spring to break.

Its hard to say what the shop is going to say about it. Like you said already, they are kinda shady. I'd definitely go back and tell them they broke it when they replaced the steering rack.

Thanks. I am going to go over there this afternoon. I just hope they don't put up too much of a fight. I am very ignorant when it comes to auto repair. The good thing is that I am a little more educated on this issue thanks to T4R.org. Thanks!!