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Steering Wheel - Rachet Sound

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 1:03 pm
by Mattj
Hi wondering if anybody come across this

sometimes when I turn the wheel I get like a rachet sound as you turn it - then as quickly as it appeared is goes away - luckily one day managed to have my phone on me and quickly got this video. You'll notice the sound for first 3 seconds and then goes onto the normal noises

Image

Re: Steering Wheel - Rachet Sound

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 9:44 pm
by silencer51
The clockspring mechanism behind the steering wheel is on its way out.

Also called the 'rotary switch', its the part behind the steering wheel that routes the airbag and horn cables through the steering column into the wheel.

If it fails completely, the airbag wires will break and a light will pop up on the dashboard (the airbag system is disabled automatically until the rotary switch has been replaced).

Some noise is normal, I myself have replaced that part multiple times and each new part was noisy from the start. But I think in your video the noise is severe...