Ford Clock Spring Replacement Guide
Reviewed/Verified by:
Need to replace the clock spring of your Ford Fusion? By following the procedures below, you learn how to remove and install the clock spring on a Ford Fusion 2013 to 2020. This guide may apply to other Ford models as well.
At a Glance
- Fits: 2013 to 2020 Ford Fusion; similar on other Fords.
- Tools: T25 and T10 Torx drivers, 7mm nut driver.
- Safety: disconnect the negative battery cable and wait 15 minutes before touching the airbag.
- Keep the wheels straight and do not turn the new clock spring before it is installed.
- Use a new steering wheel bolt and the service manual torque.
- Airbag light still on: read the codes; a seated connector or centered clock spring usually fixes it.
Signs of a Bad Clock Spring
- Airbag light on, often with a driver airbag circuit code (for example B0001 on many Fords).
- Horn does not work, or works only with the wheel turned to certain positions.
- Steering wheel buttons dead (cruise, audio or phone controls).
- Clicking or rubbing noise from the column when turning the wheel.
- Heated steering wheel stopped working on equipped models.
If only one of these symptoms is present, check the matching fuse and the connectors first. Several at once, especially an airbag light plus a dead horn or buttons, points strongly to the clock spring.
What you will need
- Ford Fusion Clock Spring
- T25 Screwdriver
- T10 Screwdriver
- 7mm Nut Driver
Procedure
- Park the vehicle with the wheels pointing straight forward.
- Disconnect the negative battery cable.
- Wait 15 minutes before you start working on the airbag system.
- Remove the steering wheel and the airbag. If you need help with this step, follow these procedures for removing the steering wheel and the airbag.
Pull up the plastic trim above the steering column.
🔧 Find out what is actually wrong before you pay someone to guess
Dealer level diagnostics at home with the YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro.
- ✔ Covers most makes and models, including many luxury brands. Send us your VIN and we will confirm your car before you order
- ✔ Reads every module, not just the engine, so you find the faults a basic reader says are not there
- ✔ Commands the car: test a fan or pump, bleed ABS, retract an electronic parking brake, register a battery
- ✔ No subscriptions. Free lifetime updates, so the price you pay is the whole price
- ✔ Backed by real mechanics in the USA you can email before and after you buy
Featured in The Wall Street Journal
Remove the T25 screw and 7mm bolt below the lower plastic trim. Use a T25 screwdriver and a 7mm socket wrench to remove the bolt and screw.
Pull the lower plastic trim out of the steering column.
Remove the four T10 screws on the clockspring. Use a T10 screwdriver and twist it counterclockwise to loosen.
Disconnect the electrical connector of the clockspring by pressing the clip and pulling the connector out.
Press the clip on the upper left of the clockspring to detach the built-in connector on the clock spring.
Pull the clock spring out of the steering column.
New clock springs come centered and locked with a pin or tab. Keep the wheels straight, slide the new clock spring on without turning it, and push it until it snaps into place. Remove the locking pin only after it is installed.
Reinstall the four T10 screws on the clock spring.
Reconnect the electrical connector of the clock spring.
Reinstall the steering wheel and the airbag. If you need help with this step, follow these procedures for reinstalling the steering wheel and airbag. Ford typically specifies a new steering wheel bolt. Tighten it to the torque in the service manual for your model year. 
Airbag SRS Light On
If the Airbag Light is on after replacing the clock spring, read the codes before clearing them, because a code that comes back points to a connector that is not fully seated or a clock spring that was not centered. You can use the YOUCANIC Full System Scanner to read and clear the airbag codes. This scanner can also read and clear fault codes through every control module on supported vehicles.
Safety notes:
- Always disconnect the battery’s negative terminal when working on electric components on the vehicle.
- Wear gloves and protective eyewear.
- Be gentle with the airbag. The airbag is sensitive and can cause injuries if it deploys.
- Place marks on the steering column to ensure the steering wheel is reinstalled in the exact alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when a clock spring goes bad?
The airbag light comes on, and the horn, steering wheel buttons or heated wheel may stop working because the ribbon inside the clock spring has broken.
Is it safe to drive with a bad clock spring?
The driver airbag may not deploy in a crash, so have it repaired soon.
Do I need to center a new clock spring?
Most new clock springs come locked in the centered position. Keep the wheels straight and remove the lock pin only after it is installed.
Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Ford.
