Tight steering after reinstalling SCCM
 

Hello, I'd appreciate any ideas or help :)

I have a 2005 300. I was going to replace the multi-function switch (turn signal switch) because the left blinker light wasn't returning to center. Upon removing the steering wheel and SCCM I found it wasn't the switch that was the problem, but rather the clockspring inner diameter where the plastic tabs are. Found one chunk broken off and others badly worn. I've temporarily reassembled so I could still drive while waiting for new clockspring (of course clearing out any broken off bits and debris) but now the steering is really heavy. I also can hear something rubbing inside the steering column cover (where the SCCM lives). I did this work really carefully and am a pretty experienced mechanic. I've had it apart and back together a few times, and I'm really scratching my head. Nothing under the hood was touched, nothing was forced, bent, pushed or hammered on. It all came apart and went back together quite easily. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Since you aren't getting much traction here, try a Utube search on the subject. Some days on some subjects there is no response. Do let us know how it sorts out.

Thank you tarhealcracker for being so supportive. I'm hopeful that it's the clockspring at issue, and I'll have to wait for the new part to arrive to be sure. What I did was remove the clock spring from SCCM and put everything back together. Now it feels normal, at least as near as I can tell without starting the car. I'm too chicken to start it for fear that I'll mess up something with the computer with all the wires being disconnected, LOL. I can't really figure out why the old clockspring is binding anything up, because by itself the face rotates smoothly. I tend to inherit weird problems on things that should be simple, this is my Mom's car.