New vs. Used/Centered Clock Spring
 

I see there are used and centered clock springs on eBay for about $80. New ones cost about $180. I broke mine while installing a steering box, but I know these are a common xj failure part. So is it worth buying a used one? Or will it just fail also? I'll try to save a couple bucks whenever I can when it comes to non-performance parts.

Thanks guys.

If you don't have cruise you can use this one. Its new and a bit cheaper.

http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/199...ockspring.html

If you have cruise, I have puchased many things on ebay and had good luck. I have also not seen the clock spring to be a common failure issue. Where did you hear that from? Don't let a few poss on the net make you think its a comon problem. There are so many XJs on the road and a few posts mean nothing.

If it was me, and I had a line up on a good used one. I'd try that first, especially if its a dealer on ebay that has more than one and or will refund if it is defective on delivery. A good used one would more than likely give you no problems.

Just my .2c

Don't let a "non centered" clock spring stop you from buying it or paying extra for a centered one.

Before you install it just rotate it all the way to one side, say for example clockwise. Then rotate it all the way counter clockwise as you count the revolutions. Now rotate it back clockwise 1/2 of the revolutions you counted and then go the shortest direction to center.

I have used this method on LOTS of makes / models and it has always worked.

^ +1 you can take the clock spring apart also and see the ribbon expand and tighten up so there are no worries unless you break it. I believe its two and a half turns and that center.

It's one of those things that you hear people talk about on here that are a common pain to fix, like flex plates. My clock spring was acting up anyway before I actually broke it. The airbag light was always on and off.

My xj has cruise control, and I want it back, so I have to buy the more expensive one.

I actually read a thread on jeep forum where a guy tore his clock spring apart and repaired the damage to the ribbon. I think this would make a good write up.

Yeah this makes sense. Most of the used ones are being sold centered anyway.

PLEASE READ:

I took the advice on this thread. I bought a used clock spring. Just like I had feared, it turned out to be junk.

$80 down the drain.

The sad part only a few will learn from this thinking only of what they are saving in the short run.


I learned many yrs ago that I was too poor to buy cheap, it always ended up costing me a lot more money.

I agree completely, my previous research was wrong. A clock spring brand new from Morris 4x4 costs $250.

I just did my own fix on my old clock spring. It works for now. I took pictures but the cf app is messing up when I upload them.

Everytime I try to upload more than one it crashes the app. Great.

Another

Another.

This one just shows the crappy design

Here's how I kind of exposed the wire in the ribbon.