98 Boxster steering wheel contacts

[carlson]

I've just had a turn signal switch go bad in my 98 Boxster. The switch worked but it would not self cancel. I have removed the switch and installed a good used one and it seems to work, but I have a concern about the airbag clockspring for the horn switch and airbag harness. The round top portion does not turn very freely, and only turns when the wiring connector contacts the edge of the hole in the steering wheel (in other words it stays stationary for about 10 degrees of steering wheel rotation). I see two plastic tabs on the top of contact assembly that look as though they engage two rectangular holes in the steering wheel, but am not sure if part of them been broken off because it seems like they may no longer engage the wheel. They are at most 9 or 10mm high now. I am concerned that there is a fault with the clockspring that may have caused the breakage of the turn signal switch as it seems that it is the rotating part that engages the self cancel on the switch. There are instructions on the clockspring that state to center it turn clockwise until stop then counter-clockwise two turns till arrows align. Mine seems to keep turning clockwise and not stopping, I turned it five rotations before stopping and not being sure I was doing this correctly. I am not sure if there is any cause and affect with this, but I had previously replaced the steering wheel and airbag with a later model three spoke wheel where there originally was a four spoke wheel. Any experienced advice would be greatly appreciated!

[BT911]

the clock spring didn't cause the breakage of the turn signal switch. the turn signal switch failed internally. the clock spring does connect to the steering through the rectangular holes. if the tangs dont contact the steering wheel, then the clock spring wont turn while turning the steering wheel. the clock spring should get tight when reaching the max out position. if you force the clock spring after the max out position, you will break the clock spring. push the spring lock out, rotate the spring to the left all the was until it gets tight and then turn it to the right and count how many full turns it takes to get the other stop and split that in half and that your center of the clock spring. it's usually 3 turn to the left and 3 to the right from center. but again if those tangs are broken and not contacting the steering wheel, you are probably going have to buy an other one.

[carlson]

I found a dismantler that has several used clocksprings, but all have only one tang unbroken. Their price is $50 as opposed to the dealer's $220. Is it worth a try, or should I only install one that has both intact?

[BT911]

the one tang is good enough. just be careful when installing the steering wheel or the tang will break.