Dodge Nitro. Manual - part 233

Fig. 21: Identifying Clockspring Components 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Place the front wheels in the straight-ahead position and inhibit the steering column shaft from rotation.  

2. Remove the steering wheel from the steering shaft. Refer to REMOVAL .  

3. Rotate the clockspring rotor (1) clockwise to the end of its travel. Do not apply excessive torque.  

4. From the end of the clockwise travel, rotate the rotor about two and one-half turns counterclockwise. 

Turn the rotor slightly clockwise or counterclockwise as necessary so that the clockspring airbag pigtail 
wires (3) and connector receptacle are at the top and the dowel pin (5) is at the bottom.  

5. The clockspring is now centered. Secure the clockspring rotor to the clockspring case using a locking pin 

(2) or some similar device to maintain clockspring centering until the steering wheel is reinstalled on the 
steering column.  

REMOVAL 

CLOCKSPRING 

with a range of up to 900 degrees. Refer to the appropriate menu item on the 
diagnostic scan tool.

NOTE:

Before starting this procedure, be certain to turn the steering wheel until the 
front wheels are in the straight-ahead position and that the entire steering 
system is locked or inhibited from rotation.

NOTE:

The clockspring may be centered and the rotor may be rotated freely once the 
steering wheel has been removed.

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable 
the supplemental restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, 
steering column, airbag, occupant classification system, seat belt 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

  

Fig. 22: Identifying Screws, Steering Column Lock Housing, Right Multi-Function Switch, Clockspring 
& Left Multi-Function Switch 

tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or 
service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then 
wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing 
further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the 
supplemental restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions 
could result in accidental airbag deployment.

NOTE:

A service replacement clockspring is shipped with the clockspring pre-centered 
and with a molded plastic locking pin installed. This locking pin should not be 
removed until the steering wheel has been installed on the steering column. If 
the locking pin is removed before the steering wheel is installed, the 
clockspring centering procedure must be performed.

NOTE:

When a clockspring is installed into a vehicle without properly centering and 
locking the entire steering system, the Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) data does 
not agree with the true position of the steering system and causes the ESP 
system to shut down. This may also damage the clockspring without any 
immediate malfunction. Unlike some other DaimlerChrysler vehicles, this SAS 
never requires calibration. See STANDARD PROCEDURE.

NOTE:

Determining if the clockspring/SAS is centered is also possible electrically 
using the diagnostic scan tool. Steering wheel position is displayed as ANGLE 
with a range of up to 900 degrees. Refer to the appropriate menu item on the 
diagnostic scan tool.

NOTE:

Before starting this procedure, be certain to turn the steering wheel until the 
front wheels are in the straight-ahead position and that the entire steering 
system is locked or inhibited from rotation.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

  

Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

1. Place the front wheels in the straight ahead position and inhibit the steering column shaft from rotation.  

2. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.  

3. Remove the steering wheel from the steering shaft. Refer to REMOVAL .  

4. If the removed clockspring is to be reused, be certain to secure the clockspring rotor to the clockspring 

case to maintain clockspring centering until the steering wheel is reinstalled on the steering column. If 
clockspring centering is not maintained, the clockspring must be centered again before the steering wheel 
is reinstalled. See CLOCKSPRING CENTERING.  

5. Move the steering column to the fully lowered position and leave the tilt release lever in the released 

(down) position.  

6. Remove the upper and lower shrouds from the steering column. Refer to REMOVAL .  

7. Remove the right multi-function switch (3) from the clockspring (4). Refer to REMOVAL .  

8. Remove the left multi-function switch (5) from the clockspring. Refer to REMOVAL .  

9. Remove the three screws (1) that secure the clockspring to the steering column lock housing (2). 

Fig. 23: Identifying Clockspring & Instrument Panel Wire Harness Connectors 
Courtesy of CHRYSLER LLC 

10. Pull the clockspring (1) away from the steering column lock housing far enough to access and disconnect 

the three instrument panel wire harness connectors (2) from the receptacles on the back of the clockspring 
case.  

11. Remove the clockspring from the steering column.  

INSTALLATION 

CLOCKSPRING 

WARNING:

To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable 
the supplemental restraint system before attempting any steering wheel, 

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro

  

Fig. 24: Identifying Clockspring & Instrument Panel Wire Harness Connectors 

steering column, airbag, occupant classification system, seat belt 
tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or 
service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then 
wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing 
further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the 
supplemental restraint system. Failure to take the proper precautions 
could result in accidental airbag deployment.

NOTE:

A service replacement clockspring is shipped with the clockspring pre-centered 
and with a molded plastic locking pin installed. This locking pin should not be 
removed until the steering wheel has been installed on the steering column. If 
the locking pin is removed before the steering wheel is installed, the 
clockspring centering procedure must be performed.

NOTE:

When a clockspring is installed into a vehicle without properly centering and 
locking the entire steering system, the Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) data does 
not agree with the true position of the steering system and causes the ESP 
system to shut down. This may also damage the clockspring without any 
immediate malfunction. Unlike some other DaimlerChrysler vehicles, this SAS 
never requires calibration. See CLOCKSPRING CENTERING.

NOTE:

Determining if the clockspring/SAS is centered is also possible electrically 
using the diagnostic scan tool. Steering wheel position is displayed as ANGLE 
with a range of up to 900 degrees. Refer to the appropriate menu item on the 
diagnostic scan tool.

NOTE:

Before starting this procedure, be certain to turn the steering wheel until the 
front wheels are in the straight-ahead position and that the entire steering 
system is locked or inhibited from rotation.

 

2007 Dodge Nitro R/T 

2007 RESTRAINTS Service Information - Nitro