This is a safety/comfort issue. Do what you wish but I would do the clockspring.
Search I know that you guys cut the cables and such, but they have a backup so that in the event of an accident the air bags can be deployed without the battery.Granted by the time you guys respond this charge has dissipated to nothing. My auto tech teacher used to lecture us a lot on this and he was a certified ASE tech for 15yrs.

 

the official dodge answer on disabling airbags is to remove the battery cable and wait 2 minutes, master tech has posted this a number of times. that said i dont think there is a backup system, just some capacitors in the system.

that said i would definitely replace the clockspring as that is a SAFTEY ISSUE FOR YOU THE DRIVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

your never gonna get into an accident that has enough force to set them off if your battery isn't connected... think about it... to be in an accident you have to be moving and to be moving you need power from the battery. there is no backup battery system on the airbags. its like sharp said. its a residual charge in the capacitors. you disconect the battery and pcm and let it set for a while and your golden.

and sharp is correct... its a safety issue so there should be no arguement, you need to do the clockspring.

 

Yeah, there is capacitor that is what I was referring to, should have been more clear. I was just saying that you can't just go yanking on stuff right away after the battery is disconnected. You're right search, probability that the battery will disconnect before airbags go off, not likely. Also search you would know from experience why airbags are so important.

 

REMOVAL
The clockspring cannot be repaired. It must be replaced if faulty or damaged, or if the driver airbag has been deployed.

WARNING: DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

NOTE: Before starting this procedure, be certain to turn the steering wheel until the front wheels are in the straight-ahead position.

Place the front wheels in the straight-ahead position.
Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.
Disconnect the steering wheel wire harness connectors from the upper clockspring connector receptacles.
Remove the screw that secures the steering wheel armature to the steering column upper shaft, which is located within the hub cavity of the steering wheel.
CAUTION: Be certain that the screws that secure the steering wheel puller to the steering wheel are fully engaged in the steering wheel armature without passing through the steering wheel and damaging the clockspring.

Pull the steering wheel off of the steering column upper shaft spline using a steering wheel puller (Special Tool C-3428-B).
Remove the steering column opening cover from the instrument panel.
If the vehicle is so equipped, grasp the tilt steering column **** firmly and pull it straight rearward to remove it from the tilt steering column adjuster mechanism lever located on the left side of the column just below the multi-function switch control stalk.
From below the steering column, remove the two outboard screws that secure the upper shroud to the lower shroud.
Push gently inward on both sides of the upper shroud near the parting line between the upper and lower shrouds to release the snap features that secure it to the lower shroud.
Remove the upper shroud from the lower shroud.
From below the steering column, remove the one center screw that secures the lower shroud to the steering column lock housing.
Remove the lower shroud from the steering column.
Disconnect the two instrument panel wire harness connectors for the clockspring from the lower clockspring connector receptacles.
Remove the two screws that secure the clockspring to the multi-function switch mounting housing (Clockspring and Multi-Function Switch).
Remove the clockspring from the multi-function switch mounting housing. The clockspring cannot be repaired. It must be replaced if faulty or damaged, or if the driver airbag has been deployed.
If the removed clockspring is to be reused, secure the clockspring rotor to the clockspring case to maintain clockspring centering until it is reinstalled on the steering column. If clockspring centering is not maintained, the clockspring must be centered again before it is reinstalled.

This is right out of the Dodge service manual.

 

yes. airbags save lives... i have seen what no airbags do and its not pretty... when i crashed mine didn't go off thank goodness... but yes, airbag should be number one priority... that was drilled into us in class, to make sure all power to the vehicle is disconnected, cause if the airbag goes off while your poking in through the window you will be severely injured

 

Alright I think we beat this topic to death now, but good information throughout. So Moparman, did you decide?

 

i am not sure if this is where i suppose to do this but here we go---
does anyone know about the nuckle on the lower shaft of steering column. chrysler dealer said i couldnt buy just the joint but i had to buy the whole lower shaft for $267.00- any better ideas?

 

No start your own thread, but thanks for asking. If you start your own thread then more people will read it that could answer you question.

 

Wow. . . . . . .