In an earlier post I mentioned that I had lost several functions on the steering wheel itself namely cruise and horn. After some research it looks to be the clockspring. I got a good clockspring from a bone yard but the wheels couldn't be straightened before removal of the clockspring. I read on here that there are 6 revolutions altogether so three turns from one side or another would center it.

Dilemma is: that the clockspring has a warning on it NOT to rotate unless attached to the steering gear ..... so ... can I gently rotate it to center it despite that warning as another knowledgeable poster has suggested?

I have a 98 XJ Sport 4X4 ... I have found a set of 16" wheels and tires reasonable from a 98 Classic 4X4. Will they work? What about the speedo drive? Need to change a gear or no?

 

Those tires and wheels should fit without a problem, I don't think they'll throw the speedo off much if any. Sorry but can't really help with clockspring question.

 

thx, man ... perhaps someone else will spot it ... I've been wanting thses wheels for a while

 

bump

 

I did find the clockspring answer on another forum. It appeared to be copied from an FSM. I'll add it for future searches.

(1) Turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position before starting the centering procedure.
(2) Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. If the airbag has not been deployed, wait ten minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
(3) Remove the airbag module as described in this group.
(4) If the vehicle is equipped with the optional vehicle speed control, unplug the speed control switch wire harness connector in the steering wheel.
(5) Remove the nut that secures the steering wheel to the steering column upper shaft.
(6) Remove the steering wheel with a steering wheel puller (Special Tool C-3428B).
(7) Rotate the clockspring rotor clockwise to the end of its travel (Fig. 14). Do not apply excessive torque.
(8) From the end of the clockwise travel, rotate the rotor about two and one-half turns counterclockwise, until the rotor flats are horizontal. If the clockspring wire harness is not at the bottom, rotate another one-half turn.
(9) The front wheels should still be in the straightahead position. Install the steering wheel being certain to fit the flats on the hub of the steering wheel onto the formations on the inside of the clockspring. Pull the wire harness from the clockspring through the lower hole in the steering wheel hub. Tighten the steering wheel nut to 61 N·m (45 ft. lbs.). Be certain not to pinch any of the wiring between the steering wheel and the nut.
(10) Install the airbag module as described in this group.




Only trepidation here was that the part has a printed warning on it against rotating it off of the steering column. Better safe than sorry, right?