Slipped ring - MINI Cooper Forum

stellablade · #1 (**permalink**) Sep 4th, 2003, 02:52 PM

Sounds painful. My Cooper has been in to the dealers today to have the 'steering click' looked at. I was told that the problem is a slipped ring. Does this mean a bearing? I know the bearing is a problem in the steering rack/column. Anyway, I hope it's nothing more serious than the bearing.

stellablade · #2 (**permalink**) Sep 5th, 2003, 03:17 PM

The problem was with the coupler behind the steering wheel. Anyone know what that is!?

I don't know if it's just my imagination but the familiar clunk from 1st to 2nd seems to have disappeared. It didn't go in to have that seen to. Weird. Seems like the beast has been excorsised

here2help · #3 (**permalink**) Sep 5th, 2003, 06:20 PM

Yes it is called an airbag slip ring.
It allows the power from the airbag control unit to flow through this and into a connector behind the wheel and then into the steering wheel.
Its the only way to get power to the drivers-steering wheel airbag if you think about it?
It basically a few wires that go into the slip ring and are curled up around the ring and come out into a connector inside the steering wheel assy itself and plug onto the airbag.

Hope this helps.

stellablade · #4 (**permalink**) Sep 5th, 2003, 06:41 PM

Thanks for the explanation. Much appreciated.

Quote: Originally Posted by here2help

Yes it is called an airbag slip ring.
It allows the power from the airbag control unit to flow through this and into a connector behind the wheel and then into the steering wheel.
Its the only way to get power to the drivers-steering wheel airbag if you think about it?
It basically a few wires that go into the slip ring and are curled up around the ring and come out into a connector inside the steering wheel assy itself and plug onto the airbag.

Hope this helps.