I'm having issues that I think are caused by the clock spring going bad. OEM one is about $300 but there are some cheap off brand for less than $20. It's almost worth giving it a try to see if I get lucky enough for it to work as expected. Anyone out there used one of these off brands with any luck.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Spiral-...-/372208566777

Not really finding a DIY on how to replace one either. I found one for an SC430 which is probably the same steps.

 

It's on my radar but I haven't tackled it yet. My stereo volume changes occasionally when I turn the wheel extreme left or extreme right and sometimes when I hit a bump. I know it's the clockspring but it's not quite annoying enough to tear into the repair just yet. There's a few vids on youtube if you search Toyota clock spring. Watch one or two and you'll know what you're up against...

 

I replaced mine in December because the horn stopped working and the volume would change when turning the wheel. At first I bought a cheap aftermarket clockspring like the one you linked but it did not fit. It did not slide all the way over the steering shaft. I found a genuine Toyota part on ebay for $105 but it appears that seller is out of stock. This is the one I got. https://www.ebay.com/itm/264347541627

 

what are the symptoms of a failing clock spring?

 

Thanks, I'll keep looking for one. The cheapest OEM one I've found so far is about $280+shipping...so basically $300. I'll pay it if I have to because I've had to do so little to this car but still seems to be a pretty penny for it.

 

My symptoms are....slight dragging of the steering only when turning left. I occasionally have all of my front steering wheel controls just stop working (can't change the radio channels or tripometer display) but they come back after a turn or two. Also at night when the lights are on and the steering wheel controls are lite up I can see the lights fade, go away, and then come back while I turn the steering wheel. I'm pretty sure my issues are all due to the clock spring.

 

I paid $115 for a new OEM, from Ebay. Installed it in December, and all is well.

 

You have a link of what you found for $115 for OEM? I would pay that all day long.

Edit: I went out to eBay and did more searching and found a new one shipped for $120. I hope it's not a scam but looks to be Lexus and says Toyota/Lexus but says "unbranded" in the brand column.

 

Can you send me the link to the one you purchased? Did you have any issues with it fitting?

 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro...50180&_sacat=0

I had no problems with the install, just be careful. There is a plastic carrier for the unit, that must be reused, so be gentle when removing it. There are YouTube videos that show the process. Watch them several times.
Then watch them again. First is disconnect the battery and wait 15 minutes. This step could save you a lot of grief, because of the air bag removal.
As a matter of fact, this was so easy, that when I finished it, in about 1/2 hour, I saw how easy it would be to replace the tilt motor that has be inop for about 10 years. Bought the motor and replaced it also about 2 weeks after the clock cable. Just be sure you get the correct one.
Have fun...

 

Thanks, I'm thinking about getting this one even though it's probably not a true OEM one. I'm torn on pulling the trigger on a $300 true OEM one or not.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/GENUINE-FIT...MAAOSw4ipeX~W0

 

Yeah that's def NOT a Toyota/Lexus part.

 

This is about a different car but I fixed the clock spring just soldering the cracked point after finding the damaged part.


What I did was to remove the surface and polished the point as was like this.


Then I soldered it and used a Kapton tape to protect. The car had been OK for nearly 4 years until it was sent to a junkyard due to other issues. The clock spring was still OK at that time.

 

I have done it on a 1995 LS400, really a quite advanced thing that device. Combined cable/spring device speced 5 turns total. I would not buy a cheap copy. I Bought OEM from Japan. AMAYAMA . If you google a bit you can probably find how to:s . There were som precation rules that were not common sence concerning the Airbag I remember. Find the instructions. The change work was not difficult. The new device was taped in its center position . Note that it is to be mounted like that with steering wheel centered. To keep the device working within its range. If you rotate either wheel or device before assembly it will break when you steer end to end later.

 

Realized today that my horn only works intermittently now so I pulled the trigger on an OEM one. Most dealerships around here wanted about $400 for one but I found one for $274 from a dealership on eBay. I'll let everyone know how it turns out.