• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

i think i broke something

  • Thread starter Thread starter johnnyt03gt
  • Start date Start date Jul 14, 2009

johnnyt03gt

5 Year Member
Mar 15, 2008
453
5
29
dallas TX
Jul 14, 2009
#1
  • Jul 14, 2009
  • #1
so i finally installed my new steering rack working outside directly in the son it was like105 today
triple digits last 2 weeks anyway after 2 hours burning outside i wanted to finish up the steering shaft pissed me off it didn't want to connect with the rack

so i did something bad i turned the steering wheel/shaft to get everything lined up it finally connected shaft to rack as i was bleeding the ps system i noticed i can only turn the steering
wheel 2 turns to the left i here and feel something is about to brake in the steering wheel
if i try turning more did i F%$K something up inside steering wheel air bag ? OBTW no air bag light came on can an alignment shop fix it ?

2nd possible issue as i was getting ready to take her out for test drive the car wouldn't move
at all "and no the parking brake was not on" it took lots ot effort to move it but i finally broke it free alignment was not that bad brakes didn't feel normal? or is this all in my head
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
2,307
386
164
Joplin, Missouri
Jul 14, 2009
#2
  • Jul 14, 2009
  • #2
How far did you turn the shaft?
 

johnnyt03gt

5 Year Member
Mar 15, 2008
453
5
29
dallas TX
Jul 14, 2009
#3
  • Jul 14, 2009
  • #3
squeak93 said:
How far did you turn the shaft?
Click to expand...

3 or 4 full turns

Posted via Mobile Device
 

Flghtmstr1

Member
Mar 31, 2005
572
4
19
Springfield, PA
Jul 14, 2009
#4
  • Jul 14, 2009
  • #4
You just ruined your clock spring (sliding contact). I did the same thing to my car when I replaced the steering shaft. Luckily, it's not hard to replace.
 

johnnyt03gt

5 Year Member
Mar 15, 2008
453
5
29
dallas TX
Jul 14, 2009
#5
  • Jul 14, 2009
  • #5
Flghtmstr1 said:
You just ruined your clock spring (sliding contact). I did the same thing to my car when I replaced the steering shaft. Luckily, it's not hard to replace.
Click to expand...


Ok is their a write up on this and can I get the
Spring from auto zone last question please tell me
I don't have to remove shaft again
Posted via Mobile Device
 
G

GDTrumbo

Member
Jan 22, 2009
199
0
17
Nashville, TN
Jul 14, 2009
#6
  • Jul 14, 2009
  • #6
You'll have to work with the other end. Get yourself a steering wheel puller and a clock spring.

GT
 

johnnyt03gt

5 Year Member
Mar 15, 2008
453
5
29
dallas TX
Jul 14, 2009
#7
  • Jul 14, 2009
  • #7
GDTrumbo said:
You'll have to work with the other end. Get yourself a steering wheel puller and a clock spring.

GT
Click to expand...

Oh good I hate to ask all these questions but
I have to

Dose spring cost a lot when I get home ima look
For a write up on this thanks

Posted via Mobile Device
 

Flghtmstr1

Member
Mar 31, 2005
572
4
19
Springfield, PA
Jul 15, 2009
#8
  • Jul 15, 2009
  • #8
Define "expensive". I think they're relatively inexpensive on latemodelrestoration.com, but call your local Ford dealer as well. Mine ended up being cheaper from the dealer. I don't think this is something you can get from Autozone.

I'm not sure if there are any writeups for this, but it's not hard to do. Here's the quick version:

Pop the little plastic covers off of the steering column where the airbag / horn cover bolts to the column, undo the bolts (8mm), disconnect and remove the airbag module (set it down on the "pony" side), remove the steering wheel with a puller & I believe a T-45 Torx bit, you'll have to fiddle with / remove the ignition cylinder, and some other stuff, and put it all back together. I'm sorry I don't have a detailed memory of this repair, but it happened about two years ago. It's all pretty self-explanatory, but if you need help, I'm sure I or someone else could answer further questions. Make sure the wheels are straight when you start this, so you can put the steering wheel back on straight when you're done. Also, to ensure you don't set off the airbag, disconnect the battery for at least 10 minutes before starting work.
 

96SCstang

New Member
Jul 22, 2006
228
0
0
novi, MI
Jul 15, 2009
#9
  • Jul 15, 2009
  • #9
whoa....hold on a min guys. is your airbag light on or off. if the light is off you have not broken anything. when your wheels are straight you should be able to turn your steering wheel the same amount of turns to left lock and then to right lock. go slow and dont yank on wheel and you wont break anything. if it isnt the same amount of turns then you have to take the shaft off at the rack to fix the problem. once again if your light is not on then dont replace the spring
 

johnnyt03gt

5 Year Member
Mar 15, 2008
453
5
29
dallas TX
Jul 16, 2009
#10
  • Jul 16, 2009
  • #10
the light is NOT on but i can only turn the wheel 2 turns to the left anything more and it feels and sounds like something inside the steering wheel is about to brake it feels like something is all tangled up inside the steering wheel i would take it to a shop have it looked at BUT i spent all my
last week new rack $300 springs $250 cc plates $200 shocks-quads-struts $600 bump steer
ket $150 lca's $250 x pipe $200 muffles $200 taking out a lone from me 401k to pay for all this junk, priceless LOL
 

Flghtmstr1

Member
Mar 31, 2005
572
4
19
Springfield, PA
Jul 16, 2009
#11
  • Jul 16, 2009
  • #11
Even if his airbag light is not on, the clockspring is already ruined, and will eventually break. At least, it did in my case. When I realized what I had done, I took the shaft back off and re-centered the wheel, but the clock spring broke a month or two later anyway.
 

fast97gt

Active Member
Jan 2, 2007
1,082
2
49
north carolina
Jul 16, 2009
#12
  • Jul 16, 2009
  • #12
still he has too take the shaft off the rack, center the rack internally to the "neutral position" (side to side) then put the shaft back together before hes screws more stuff up.
 

johnnyt03gt

5 Year Member
Mar 15, 2008
453
5
29
dallas TX
Jul 16, 2009
#13
  • Jul 16, 2009
  • #13
the rack is centered perfectly it's the steering wheel that's not this sucks i cant even make shrip U turns anymore in fear of snapping something and having the air bag hit me in my face
 

fast97gt

Active Member
Jan 2, 2007
1,082
2
49
north carolina
Jul 19, 2009
#14
  • Jul 19, 2009
  • #14
thats what im saying, you gotta take the shaft off the rack. then you gotta center the steering wheel (some how your steering wheel got turned while you had it apart).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Suspension 87 steering wheel slightly wobbles after new Rag joint install
  • R82148V
  • Jun 16, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
  • 2
Replies
25
Views
1K
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 24, 2025
R82148V
R
What's it Worth? 1997 Cobra, a ton of mods and restoration
  • riored97snake
  • Jun 18, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
2
Views
287
What is it Worth?!?!? Jun 21, 2026
riored97snake
R
P
Is it normal for all of this to go wrong or did I get played when I bought this ONLY A MONTH AGO.
  • ponygal02
  • Nov 14, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
297
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Nov 14, 2025
Noobz347
S
Car shakes when taking off help???
  • STANKYstangs
  • May 10, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
12
Views
397
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- May 27, 2026
LILCBRA
B
Electrical Why does my fox body keep frying eecs
  • brandyn200
  • Jun 20, 2026
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
8
Views
350
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Jun 25, 2026
AeroCoupe
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?