I was replacing turn signal stalk switch today and noted the Bentley manual (and a TDI forum post) stated the importance of 'Locking' the airbag spiral spring (clockspring). Mine didn't want to lock and in the process I messed around with it and was no longer sure if it was centered or not. Stupid.
Backing up a little, the clockspring is installed in the back of the steering wheel and allows the electrical contacts to airbag to be maintained when the wheel is turned. In olden days these were "horn rings" or electrical contact rings which contact spring loaded contacts as the wheel turns. Nowdays there's a cylinder with a multi-turn ribbon cable in side that just winds tighter or looser as the wheel turns. It's not really a 'spring' and you won't feel any spring tension when you move it. Some cars use them for horn and other wheel mounted controls in addition to airbag. A3 Jetta still has an old school horn ring as well for the horn contact.
So, I found that turning the clockspring (by holding the airbag connector) mine would eventually start to tighten up turning either clockwise or counterclockwise. Full travel was about 5 turns, so I backed off about 2-1/2 turns from the end to center the clockspring before installing (with steering centered). The connector should be centered near the bottom of the wheel when clockspring is centered.
I certainly don't recommend this procedure - keep that clockspring centered in the first place! - but if you have one your'e not sure of you can center it.
Some cautions:
DISCONNECT BATTERY NEGATIVE terminal before you mess with any airbag components.
BEFORE RECONNECTING BATTERY: turn ignition switch on and close the doors. This way if something goes wrong and airbags deploy at least you won't get hit.
Stop turning the clockspring as soon as it begins to tighten up, don't force it at all or it may break.
Backing up a little, the clockspring is installed in the back of the steering wheel and allows the electrical contacts to airbag to be maintained when the wheel is turned. In olden days these were "horn rings" or electrical contact rings which contact spring loaded contacts as the wheel turns. Nowdays there's a cylinder with a multi-turn ribbon cable in side that just winds tighter or looser as the wheel turns. It's not really a 'spring' and you won't feel any spring tension when you move it. Some cars use them for horn and other wheel mounted controls in addition to airbag. A3 Jetta still has an old school horn ring as well for the horn contact.
So, I found that turning the clockspring (by holding the airbag connector) mine would eventually start to tighten up turning either clockwise or counterclockwise. Full travel was about 5 turns, so I backed off about 2-1/2 turns from the end to center the clockspring before installing (with steering centered). The connector should be centered near the bottom of the wheel when clockspring is centered.
I certainly don't recommend this procedure - keep that clockspring centered in the first place! - but if you have one your'e not sure of you can center it.
Some cautions:
DISCONNECT BATTERY NEGATIVE terminal before you mess with any airbag components.
BEFORE RECONNECTING BATTERY: turn ignition switch on and close the doors. This way if something goes wrong and airbags deploy at least you won't get hit.
Stop turning the clockspring as soon as it begins to tighten up, don't force it at all or it may break.
Centering Steering Wheel Clockspring Clock Spring
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