Clock spring and spiral cable trouble

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Dummy, May 14, 2026 at 9:43 AM.

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  1. Dummy

    Dummy Member

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    I’ve been losing function of the steering wheel controls one by one for about 6 months and now I hear crackling when I turn the steering wheel. I actually replaced the clock spring back in 2020 but I can’t remember if the spiral cable was part of that. I used a cheap one and it worked except for the airbag (until now). I’m looking for recommendations on brands of replacement clock springs so I can avoid the short life of the cheap one I bought last time.
     
    #1 Dummy, May 14, 2026 at 9:43 AM
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Well you'd buy the one from Toyota or amiyama.com if they have it thecheap ones have worked reasonable for me I SE USA. It only takes about 25 minutes to change . So about equal to oil change. Depends on part cost I wouldn't pay 90 for the Toyoda . Personally . These things are too easy to make I don't know thee companies that are racing to bottom . There are ways to quickly sift thru the bs.
     
    #2 Tombukt2, May 14, 2026 at 10:13 AM
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    "clock spring" is just what some people colloquially call the spiral cable. They both mean the same part. It kinda looks like a clock spring, even though it's not a spring.
     
    #3 ChapmanF, May 14, 2026 at 10:16 AM
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  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Isn't there a spiral spring along with spiral cable in housing ? You wind with finger to line up red line?
     
    #4 Tombukt2, May 14, 2026 at 10:22 AM
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Not in any I ever took apart. Just a nice flat ribbon cable wound in a spiral.

    Who would want a spring there? Isn't driving in a straight line hard enough already?
     
    #5 ChapmanF, May 14, 2026 at 10:39 AM
  6. Dummy

    Dummy Member

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    $350 at dealership
     
    #6 Dummy, May 14, 2026 at 11:31 AM
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