This Tacoma Needs a Clock Spring! VERY Important Part with a VERY Silly Name

[@travissheehan6082]

Really liking wizard actually performing fixes lately. This is what i subscribed to the channel for

[@charliegrs]

Yeah reminds me of old school Wizard videos it's a nice change of pace. Nothing wrong with more recent videos but I like to see wrenching.

[@kevinjokipii4260]

I've been designing interior electronics including switchgear and clocksprings for 30 years. Nice to see this component get some recognition. ONE IMPORTANT THING about replacing them- make dead sure your front wheels are pointed dead straight when you take off the steering wheel. If the steering wheel is a full turn left or a full turn right, you could destroy the new clockspring the first time you crank the wheel all the way to one lock or the other.

[@RickTashma]

OMG! Super important detail. (Although I'd only make that expensive mistake once!)

[@postersm7141]

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[@steve83803]

I was told that it was good practice to disconnect the battery and then leave the car for 20 minutes to allow the SRS to fully discharge its back up supply before working on the system. Also told never to put an airbag face down after removing in case it activated meaning it would take off rather that just inflate upwards.

[@gazzer313]

Yes. These are two important points.

[@pops55650]

First time I’ve seen a clock spring assembly taken apart. Pretty cool

[@chuckc.9497]

squib is the electrically triggered detonator that fires the airbag, squibs were mainly a military and aerospace device prior to auto air bag era

[@JSFGuy]

Right, I do know for Halon fire bottle discharge for the engine.

[@Ghotiermann]

@@JSFGuy I believe that they are also used in making movies to simulate something hit by gunfire.

[@JSFGuy]

@@Ghotiermann No doubt, Hollywood has very specific purpose devices for those things. They're kind of expensive and probably certified for automotive and aircraft. They do sound the same.

[@DjJay]

@@Ghotiermann Yup, usually attached to a small blood bag which gives a big splash of blood when a baddie gets shot on screen.

[@talon262]

In the automotive context, a squib is otherwise known as the airbag initiator or inflator.

[@mystisith3984]

I like techical and stuff explained like that. Most of us have no idea how things work under the plastic shell & there's no such thing as too much knowledge.

[@tedcoughran]

Always happy to see a Tacoma on here, since they never get mentioned. Its so reliable there aren’t very many videos.

[@AdamVest]

That's the identical twin to my Tacoma.

[@TRJ2525]

Well, the old ones anyways. The new ones are another story.

[@mediocreman2]

@@TRJ2525 Except for the rust. Mine is a rustbucket. Engine still works great!

[@jakethesnake4971]

They're such good vehicles. My 13 prerunner v6 with 120k literally never had anything wrong with it. Except that passenger sun visor. (Thanks to someone breaking it)

[@rzrzrzrzrzrzrzrzrzrzrz]

1grfe is legendary 300k+

[@stevenemert837]

10:38 - Just as determined in amateur astronomy, the best flashlight for the job is the one that tastes the best!

[@jtenn73]

Two car wizard videos back to back days. I'm loving it

[@theyunglos]

are we getting 3 days in row with tomorrow being Tuesday... that would be pretty wild

[@SquirrelWizard]

I was pretty surprised too!! For a Monday. Sure made my day! I wasn't expecting a new episode til tmw (tues)

[@philtucker1224]

I’ve noticed a lot of repair shops have a cat or two as it appears that in some parts of America, there is a problem with mice chewing car wiring and upholstery. We don’t often have the same issue in the U.K. with cars parked outside as our weather is generally so cold but as a retired Electrician I can tell you it is more of a problem in our old house lofts. Squirrels often do the same damage.

[@patk8417]

David, I noticed that when you put the airbag down it looked like it was base up which is a no-no. If those things blow up it will launch that hard part across the shop and through whatever gets in its way! If the hard part is down it just tries to drive it into the ground, no big deal.

[@Thenatureboy801]

I don’t miss doing these the 7 years I was with Toyota. Never really paid that great and if you didn’t line everything up just right you risk either doing an alignment for free or another clock spring for free. After you do enough of them you get it locked down pretty well where you don’t have to worry about it, but there’s always a risk. And if you have a long stretch of time between doing them you get rusty.

[@joelmanda1995]

Best pickup truck ever made. I have the same one 2010 trd sport v6 4x4 with tow package and hood scoop . Never an issue ,only thing I had to replace when I got it was ac compressor. Most reliable pick up truck out there. 2nd gen is the best.

[@openliquor]

Thanks for the explanation, CW! Based on my time in aerospace, I had just assumed the steering wheel controls were all on rotary joints….I had no idea it was these spiralled cables! Seems chintzy, but I guess the engineers have it all figured out!

[@glennfields8121]

Very educational David, thank you. I appreciate your honesty with your customers vehicle in that you indicated that you could change the knock sensor without having to remove the cylinder heads. That cuts the labor in half!!

[@underachievingwatchcollect1878]

Clocksprings and squibs sounds like make believe parts! I’m replacing my blinker fluid today 😎!!

[@RaiderTheGhost]

Don't forget to grease your exhaust bearings while you're at it.

[@lindanelson8400]

Make sure you're using a new blinker fluid. Don't buy the cheap recycled blinker fluid. Your blinkers will never be the same.

[@TTime685]

And the clam shell

[@theredscourge]

@@RaiderTheGhost And rotate them brake pads! 🤣

[@BrockOBauma]

If you didn't replace the winter air in your tires with summer air, it's not too late to get that done.

[@joelol3692]

Keep these videos coming this is what everyone is wanting to see you guys wrenching a little with your great explanations

[@Brettdyt]

It would be smart to check for the Takata air bag recall or counterfeit Chinese product before touching those airbags. They can explode shrapnel in your face. They have caused fatalities.

[@StormsparkPegasus]

"What's a clock spring? My clock works fine!" I love that, haha.

[@tacomas9602]

The general population is far too stupid lol

[@miztatone918]

I'd like to add anytime you are dealing with an airbag it's good practice to make sure the battery is disconnected. I'm sure he did that but it wasn't in the video. Chances are even if you left the battery connected nothing would happen but there is always a chance and thoes airbags can really do some damage. It's always better to be safe than to risk it.

[@AlexCarloss]

In Brazil we call this 'Cinta de Airbag', which means Airbags Strap.

[@jdrs4214]

It’s also got steering wheel radio control traces in that ribbon cable.

[@AlessandroGenTLe]

Had to replace it on my Mercedes C220 CDI too (S203). It was sometimes (and only sometimes!) stop sending angle of the steering to the ABS module and cause it to stop working together with the stability control... And zero codes in memory avail with my (Mercedes dedicated) scanner... I was able to discover it while driving around with the datapit for the steering angle active and noticed that the moment it signalled no ABS, there was no value reading from the clockspring... They did at least 4 different versions of it for my car, and I had the 1st version :D Found a used latest version and replaced it myself and no more errors :D

[@Watcher3223]

The squib can be thought of as the primer in a centerfire cartridge. When the squib is set off, it in turn sets off the propellant charge to inflate the air bag.

[@kcraptor82]

That 2nd gen has 3rd gen rims on it. I know because I did the same thing with my 2ng gen :-)

[@pinkace]

4:25 HOLY CRAP! I never wondered that!! Learned stuff today. Thanks Wizard!

[@darylwalford8697]

Clock spring failures are common on Toyota pickups (in Australia we call them utes short for utility), I don't work on many but I've replaced at least 3.

[@iansandersVortech500]

Great stuff Mr Wizard 🧙‍♂️ Have done a few over the years and first time had no idea what was going on so went to my guru in Ford Dealer service department ( he’d been there 50years) incredible knowledge beyond belief and said clock spring I said wow do these digital on dash clocks have springs in them lmao He gave me a real your a dumb ass look 👀 lol so great to see you showing this on a platform like yours that can reach millions 🙏🌟🏆

[@wfomph1435]

your customers are lucky to have you . keep up the good work

[@thomaswinters6586]

Thanks for the review. I've got the same truck but a 2005. Your videos are always great but this one really hits home with me.

[@ipiep3959]

I have 2014 Tacoma good to know about clocks spring thanks wizard 👍

[@PRL1290]

The Paint is great on that truck. Im going to do this soon on my 06, the factory Clock spring was swapped out under a recall or TSB but it was still working, that was about 140k miles. Now my cruise control isnt working at 255k, if I turn the steering wheel one rotation left or right it turns on with the switch no problem. Same with my 06 prius but with the defrost buttons. Everything else works.

[@1toonhead]

Cheers for putting this video up. I remember seing a spring to a sheet of copper on a old steering wheel and I thought it would be similar to it. I was wrong, didn't think it would be a ribbon cable.

[@gtrotter07]

As an FYI, Toyota had(has) a recall on the 05-09 Tacoma for the clock spring. This one looks like an 09? May be able to get the customer reimbursed for it. Short of a few minor quibles, this generation of Tacoma is super reliable. Glad to see one on here.

[@lindanelson8400]

Now, that's a really good-looking truck. Much better than the newer ones that look mean and aggressive. Not to mention the huge, hideous front grills and the high prices of the new trucks.

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

The new trucks are actually a.lot less expensive when you factor in Hyperinflation. The new truck looks good if you remove the plastic chin. They’re both good trucks.

[@Joe-hz1nw]

@@user-tb7rn1il3qI think the verdict is out on the newest generation of Tacoma with the turbo 4 cylinders (2024 forward)

[@steve8803]

@lindanelson8400 the new trucks looks a lot nicer, drive a lot nicer, get better fuel mileage and are significantly more comfortable. I am sure there will be some bugs to iron out, and they will perfect it as is always the case with Toyota.

[@Joe-hz1nw]

@@steve8803 at a certain point there are diminishing returns. I have a 2010, my Dad has a much fancier 2023. -Is there a difference like you describe? Sure. -Is it enough to matter for normal use? Not at all -Is the newer truck more complicated so there is more to go wrong? Absolutely. Is the 2024 Tacoma even more complex with turbo and hybrid technology? Yes. Id any of that worth it? I’d argue hell no.

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

@@Joe-hz1nw It’s not a new engine. The previous turbo 4 in the Lexus NX was also reliable. The V6 turbo is reliable other than the manufacturing glitch on about one percent of the engines.

[@motroman1]

Squibs are used in film, television, and video production. When you see someone shot the wound will gush blood from “squibs “, little packs of fake blood usually sewn into the actor’s clothes.

[@vinr6867]

2010 Prerunner over here, 103k miles with zero issues. 5k oil changes, 25k tranny drain and fill, 30k diff fluid changes, 50k coolant flush, 100k power steering and brak fluid change. Avg 20.5 MPG combined 4.0 V6. A/C blows ice 🧊 ❄️

[@Cybersawz]

It's just getting broken in!

[@jamram9924]

100,00 miles on power steering fluid? Lexus/Toyots shop manuals recommend every 30-35,000 miles. That’s the interval we use at our shop. We’ve been using Lubegard full synthetic power steering fluid. It helps keep the older power steering pumps quiet.

[@Land2020-w6w]

Dave, a very informative video. Nice of you to explain the part in Laymans terms.

[@deanrhodenizer938]

Thank you, great video as usual. I appreciate the more in-depth coverage given here. I am sure that the wizard has read many service manuals - surprised he didn’t rattle off “Assembly is the reverse of disassembly.” - which is common in so many service manuals. I have not previously seen a “clockspring” disassembled. I have often wondered how these connections were made - I suspected the clockspring unit would have utilized slip rings for the connections - ribbon cables were a surprise as failure is guaranteed; it is just a matter of time when the repetition limit for fatigue failure is reached for the conductors in those ribbon cables. Now I know a new caution when servicing the steering mechanism. If the steering rack or steering box is disconnected from the steering wheel don’t play around with the steering wheel; it can only be turned so far in either direction before those ribbon cables are wound up tight and break.

[@jasonvandervalk3679]

I bought a 2017 tacoma last year. Unfortunately who ever tried to fix the airbag didn't do it right. They stripped the screws and taped the wires. I had my local dealer fix it.

[@tmoz1228]

Some people were probably mindblown at how a clockspring works!! Now you know!

[@sand0077]

Well, that's something I'm not concerned about. All my cars are pre 1991 without those devices; simple and straightforward!

[@JayMaverick]

Never heard of a clock spring until 2 weeks ago when I had to replace mine. Now everyone's doing it. 😂

[@2SlayZGTE]

I really enjoyed this episode! It was especially informative! Being educated while being entertained is the best! More content like this, please.

[@dAzFivefoUr]

Clock spring, early American clocks like Ansonia, Waterbury used 9' x 3/4" mainsprings, they do look a bit like those ribbon cables.

[@46miles]

Is the process the same, more or less, for 4Runners? Thanx for all the info and vids, Wizard! And You too Mrs. Wizard!!

[@andrrru9]

You can't buy a clock spring from LKQ but you can buy the entire column. I had to buy 2 for my yaris until Toyota did a recall and put a higher quality clock spring in there. That one last until I sold the car.

[@joelol3692]

Great video 💯 glad to see you working right at it again. Very cool 😎

[@edwoll]

Here in north Texas...105 degrees Is just a typical summer day.

[@CrimFerret]

They call the small explosive charge that makes the airbag inflate a 'squib' It sounds better than say calling it a quarter stick. A lot of vehicles that include seat belt tensioners that go off in a crash also use them.

[@ryansratner]

Great video as always wizard but did I miss you talk about disconnecting the battery before digging into the airbag?

[@AdamVest]

When I did my knock sensor harness it took me two weeks going at it one hour a day. Had to saw the tabs off the coolant pipe with a hacksaw blade! 😂

[@TheKnobCalledTone.]

I only learned what a clock spring was earlier this year when I had to replace a broken one in my Ford Falcon (yes I'm from Australia lol)

[@agrippa1234]

replaced the wheel on my c7 with a custom cf flat bottomed wheel with a display built in....had to replace the clock spring and was lucky to find the right one at an autozone!

[@digitalrailroader]

GM calls their clockspring a “Steering Wheel Airbag Coil” and it’s $400 for the one in my Buick Lucerne. (The part is exclusive to both the Lucerne and the Cadillac DTS; and I’m still surprised that I can still get it from GM brand new!)

[@Dytopjewa7631]

…and in that ribbon is imbedded wires that connect things in the steering wheel down the steering column into other things..and the ribbon unwinds(loosens)and tightens when spinning the steering wheel left or right..

[@ginadraper4093]

A few years ago I had a chain repair shop replace the steering rack in my 2005 Tundra. When I picked it up, the airbag light was on and the horn didn't work. The staff shrugged their shoulders and told me that only a Toyota dealer could address this. A quick google search revealed that they didn't secure the steering wheel when they removed the rack, and it was able to rotate and bust the clock spring (rookie mistake). They did pay for the dealer to fix it ($998).

[@schmitty69]

Wow! I just realized you are over 1M subscribers! Congrats Wizard on all the hard work and success!

[@MarzNet256]

On a 2006 Matrix 4WD with 224,767 miles: Horn was intermittent. Replaced the Clock Spring (Spiral Cable) at 178,129 and it lasted until 224,248 (Airbag light). Replaced with same as previous unit and it lasted about 450 miles (Airbag light). The "supplier" that I bought both parts from (PartsGeek) gave me the run around. I won't be doing business with them again.

[@ronchalmers5439]

When looking at a car if the airbag light is on and the horn doesn't work you have a bad clock spring. Cost is a shade over $400.00 from the dealer. That's for the part only. Labor is extra.

[@mcneil123]

I’ve been waiting years for the wizard to do this video for me! 😂

[@SpikesTrailerPark]

Is the 'squib" an explosive to deploy the airbag?

[@liamjackson6930]

yes

[@tony_25or6to4]

Makes sense. In the movie business, a squib is a small explosive device to show gun shot on the actor. Sometimes with fake blood pack.

[@TheWombat2012]

When removing a steering wheel, here’s a tip; Don’t undo the nut completely off and then sit in the drivers seat belting the wheel from behind each side with both hands to knock it off. DON’T!!!!! Your nose will thank you. Don’t ask me how I know either. 😂😂

[@jgranger2002]

Wizzard have you ever done knock sensors on this engine? It actually is a pretty big deal. Toyota recommends removing the passenger side cylinder head to do the job. You can replace the knock sensors without removing the cylinder head, but it's still a big job.

[@RickEstrada]

lol no joke my cruise control stopped working, it’s def the clock spring haha thanks for the reminder that I need to change it out 😂

[@Jaded7981]

I had never heard of a clock spring until my wife’s Outback went bad. 6 weeks after that was fixed, it happened to my Tacoma.

[@adampavelec857]

I had the clockspring replaced on my ‘07 Taco Accessory Cab. Airbag light was on, and the horn would not sound. The replacement did not resolve either issue.

[@matthewgibbons4525]

@matthewgibbons4525 il y a 30 secondes I'm from Europe and I own a subcompact. Several years ago the front wipers went bad, turning on when the stalk was in the off position. The mechanic replaced the clock spring and stalk assembly, I think, then the wipers worked as they should again. And now thanks to this video I understand more how it's all related! 👍

[@funkycarlover]

Changed my clock spring in my 2011 Nissan Sentra- no safety inspection here, but I wanted my cruise controls back, lol 😆

[@rayg3583]

I had to replace the clock spring on my 2014 Camry SE Sport in 2020. An expensive piece of plastic. Basically, everything in the steering wheel didn't work properly because of the broken clock spring. Horn, lights, controls all didn't work or work properly.

[@bohdanked]

I'm liking seeing actual fixes

[@Vincent-ke5zn]

The owner really wants to take care of his Tacoma, great video Mr WIZARD

[@i976scirocco3]

I saw the security light on the dash flashing. I'm surprised you pulled the wheel w/ the battery still attached.

[@Spillmansgarage]

I just had to do this on my 2015 Tundra! The horn would only honk if the wheel was turned. If it was straight, no horn!

[@BojarskyLeGrand]

In French it is called a "contacteur tournant" which means rotating connector. It makes more sense to me.

[@jdrs4214]

😂 Mrs. Wizard chiming in with her “You just want it to be cold outside.”

[@leongaskell1533]

I'm pleased there was no annoying advertising in this video.

[@shawnstillman736]

uBlock.

[@richard343s]

I learned something new today, thank you Car Wizard!

[@KennethGalanius-ss3wn]

Thank u so much 4 a great informative show I appreciate u both 4 a great show thanx again

[@SeanBaker]

Changed this in my 09 Prius back in January. The buttons on the right side of the steering wheel didn't function. Now, they do! Easy as 1,2,3.

[@PRL1290]

Same here on my 06, the defrost buttons only work when the steering wheel is turned.

[@jasonhill9088]

Are you supposed to disable the air bag before taking it out?

[@georgebettiol8338]

When the vehicle battery is disconnected - you effectively disable all systems which includes the air bags. However, air bags use large capacitors to store enough current to deploy the air bag(s), for a short while after the power is lost, as might be the case in an accident. Consequently it's good practice to allow 30 minutes after disconnecting the battery to allow the said capacitors to 'discharge fully'. Notably, the connectors used on air bag systems are designed to short out the bag leads, before they are disconnected, as the plug is removed, thus preventing a random static discharge from igniting them. However, rather that face a calamity, I prefer to simply wait 30 minutes before tackling an air bag related task.

[@RoadWarrior77]

You should do another video to show what an original clock spring looked like in an old 60s or 70s vehicle. One that actually looked like a clock spring.

[@ProVest97]

Great info! But just wondering; how did you know it wasn't an airbag sensor? My wife's scion has the same code, but I thought it would be a sensor. Thanks.

[@frednetherlands887]

Thank for all your videos from the Netherlands!

[@zaphodbeeblebrox6627]

In Europe or should I say the UK we've always been told to disconnect the Car battery and leave the car alone for at least 30 mins before disconnecting the drivers airbag so that the circuitry can discharge any power and minimise any risk of it going off . Is it different with US spec cars?

[@Michael-yi4mc]

There are rows of wires in strips in the white plastic part that keeps an electrical signal while the steering wheel is turning.

[@NightStalkers-hx3dq]

Local guy sent car to shop, shop tells him the catalytic converter is bad. "I don't drive no Cadillac convertible!" Yup...

[@Cybersawz]

He must need hearing aids.

[@theredscourge]

"You've got a hole in your muffler!" "Hey, don't call that girl a hoe just because she did a photo shoot for Hustler magazine!"

[@NightStalkers-hx3dq]

@@Cybersawz Didn't know better.

[@renj6531]

I dont drive a cataract i drive a rincoln continental lol

[@Peter-pv8xx]

How many people still say Cadillac converter, I blame the communist public school system.

[@mjk9674]

Changed my 2012 Honda civic clock spring. Piece of cake, took 30 min.

[@MarkCroxford]

Very timely. The clock spring needs to be replaced on my wife’s Hyundai Santa Fe. Now I know exactly what my auto-electrician is talking about.

[@timfrancis6774]

the traction control light, and the air bag light and check engine all kick on at 1 time. and the clock spring is in steering wheel assembly, own a 13 tacoma so i know. the truck was parked under tree and look likes someone will be replacing knock sensors there are 2. and they need replaced cause animals chew exposed wires. mine had to have them replaced. 1800 job.

[@terryshull4477]

FOCUS FOCUS MRS WIZARD WE LOVE YOU

[@craigbathurst1185]

Do you wing up the clock to make the truck work?😅

[@iwfur25]

My stupid clock spring story is another "f*** dealerships" anecdote. Had one diagnose an airbag light on a Mazda3. They fairly charged 1 hour to diagnose, but quoted something like $1200 to replace it. Friend at a competing dealership checked what they'd charge by the book... $600. I ordered the spring for around $100 for an OE one and replaced it in 30 minutes. Didn't even need a steering wheel puller... pretty sure I only used the big socket for the wheel and a 10mm for the airbag.

[@rossedwardmiller]

Second gen Tacoma content! 👏

[@agrippa1234]

And may I add the joy of getting that center bolt off...whew

[@henriquealves4698]

I would take classes everyday with the Wizard!

[@davekana8388]

Just purchased a 2014 Tacoma, it has the NoX sensor issue, same thing, those pesky mice!

[@JamesAllmond]

Good one. And since you, like I would really like to take a bike out for a ride, could do without temps of 100 and feels like 110 or so...

[@visumexcipio]

Yeah, about 1.5 yrs ago, clock spring went out on my 2008 merc mariner. Air bag light came on n stayed on. Got it fixed. Hadnt heard of it before. Just sayin …

[@cheesetoast99]

Very common issue in these Tacomas. My friend went through 3 clocksprings in a year somehow.

[@0004612]

So much for being ultra reliable

[@georgebettiol8338]

The rquirement to replace of three clock spring assemblies in one vehicle in a 12 month period is, to put it mildly, very unusual. Did your friend correctly fit the new clock spring units - or were they second hand replacements?

[@12pk-of-modelos45]

Great video! now i know how to fix it on my cybertruck