Airbag Light flashing

[hijimhere]

I have the light flashing so I bought a new ring on fleabay - the ring has instructions which are a little confusing :

Arrow pointing clockwise followed by "INSTALLATION OF THE CLOCK SPRING 1) Set front wheels straight 2) Turn clockwise to lock then back off 2 3/4 turns 3) Align the >< marks 4) Refer to workshop manual for details."

"CAUTION"
"Do not give more than 2 1/2 turns in either direction from zero point to avoid damage to clock spring"
"Do not disassemble"
"do not apply oil or grease"

I am assuming that turning clockwise to lock is a reference to the front wheels - I haven't a workshop manual and need to know if there are any more important details about fitting. Can anyone help 96 2.5TD 4WD

Immediate problem from straight my steering lock is 1 7/8 clockwise! Any advice would be appreciated.

[g8dhe]

See here and what happens if you get it wrong!
http://www.igmaynard.co.uk/bongo/forum/ ... 29#p651229

[hijimhere]

Thanks Geoff - last year I did have this problem before and took it to the guy just outside Leicester - they fitted a replacement clock spring for me but annoyingly the steering wheel was between 90 and 180 DEGREES out to the right I was on my way home when I started to get annoyed with it but carried on anyway - couple months ago I had a garage realign the steering wheel about 5 weeks later the airbag light began to flash. The link you provided may well be the answer to why the clock spring has gone again.

Just going to check my left/right steering lock positions just to reassure myself I am not driving with an off center rack.

Check left and right - clockwise just 1.8 turns - anti clockwise 2.5 turns.

Sugar - its out - given that my steering will happily self center after maneuvering I am well and truly flummoxed.

[hijimhere]

The rack is not set as it should be - I feel a bill coming on - any advice would be appreciated

[Muzorewa]

You should have just over 4 turns of the steering wheel from lock to lock. Whether the front wheels point straight ahead when the steering rack is at mid-point depends on how the track-rod ends have been set but they can be adjusted. I found mine slightly out, 2.25 turns onto R lock, 2 turns onto L lock. But Ady's was exactly the opposite. Neither is far enough out to have been notable during driving so central enough.

For the clock-spring, it should have about 6 turns lock to lock, so with it central and then the two arrows lined up on the casing, and with the front wheels set straight ahead, you're ok to plonk the steering wheel on. Even your 2.5 turns should be ok.

[hijimhere]

Many Thanks

[Northern Bongolow]

muz is spot on but if you really want it spot on you need to remove the bottom universal joint from the rack, centralise the rack then refit, then you will need to alter the steering on the track rod ends,