VW & Audi clock spring repair
We rebuild the airbag clock spring — the part also known as the squib or rotary coupler — on Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Škoda and Cupra cars. It is what triggers the airbag warning light and kills your horn, steering-wheel controls and cruise control when its ribbon wears through. We repair your original unit, so there is nothing to re-code.
What is a clock spring?
The clock spring is a coiled, flat ribbon conductor that sits behind your steering wheel. It keeps the airbag, horn and steering-wheel buttons electrically connected while the wheel turns both ways — winding and unwinding like a watch spring, which is where the name comes from. Over time that ribbon cracks or snaps, breaking the circuit. You may also see it called the squib, the rotary coupler, or a coil / spiral spring — they are all the same component, and we repair it under any of these names.
Signs your clock spring has failed
- Airbag / SRS warning light on the dashboard
- Horn not working, or only working intermittently
- Steering-wheel buttons (volume, phone, cruise) not responding
- Cruise control cutting out or unavailable
- A clock-spring / rotary-coupler fault stored on a diagnostic scan
The two part numbers we repair
We focus on the two most common VW Group clock springs. The suffix letter on the end of the number (…AE, …AL and so on) is only a VAG revision — we repair every version of both:
How we repair your clock spring
Strip and inspect
We pinpoint the squib fault and confirm the root cause before any work begins.
Rebuild with OEM parts
Worn or snapped ribbon cables are replaced with OEM items using OEM repair methods — we never solder, as that only leads to short-lifespan fixes.
Test and verify
We test every squib for continuity and function before we send it back, backed by a 12-month workmanship warranty.
Because we rebuild your original clock spring rather than fit a different part number, it goes straight back in — there is no coding or steering-angle-sensor calibration to do.
Clock spring repair pricing
Post-in prices start from £59.95 for the 5K0 953 569 and £79.95 for the 5Q0 953 569, with return postage included. Anything received by 1pm is dispatched the same day on Royal Mail Tracked 24; drive in to our Egham workshop and it is ready within the hour. Call us for an exact quote.
Clock spring repair — FAQs
What is a clock spring?+
A clock spring is the coiled, flat ribbon conductor that sits behind your steering wheel and keeps the airbag, horn and steering-wheel controls electrically connected while the wheel turns both ways. It is also called a squib, a rotary coupler, or a coil/spiral spring — all the same part.
Can a clock spring be repaired, or does it have to be replaced?+
It can almost always be repaired. We rebuild your original clock spring with a new OEM ribbon, using OEM methods and never soldering, then bench-test it for continuity and function. Repairing your own unit is cheaper than a new part and means there is no coding or steering-angle calibration to do afterwards.
Which VW and Audi clock springs do you repair?+
We specialise in the two most common VW Group clock springs: the 5K0 953 569 (PQ-platform cars, roughly 2008–2019) and the 5Q0 953 569 (MQB-platform cars, roughly 2012–2024), fitted across Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Škoda and Cupra. The suffix letter on the end of the number (…AE, …AL and so on) does not matter — we repair every version.
How much does clock spring repair cost?+
Post-in clock spring repair starts from £59.95 for the 5K0 953 569 and £79.95 for the 5Q0 953 569, with return postage included. Drive-in / drive-out at our Egham workshop and mobile repair across West London, Surrey and the Home Counties are priced separately.
How long does a clock spring repair take?+
Any clock spring we receive by 1pm is repaired and dispatched the same day (postal hours permitting) and returned on Royal Mail Tracked 24 for next-day delivery. If you drive in to our Egham workshop near Heathrow we hand it back within the hour, while you wait.
Do I need to re-code the clock spring after fitting it?+
No. Because it is your original clock spring going back in — not a different part number — there is no coding or steering-angle-sensor calibration to do. After a post-in repair you just clear the stored airbag fault code with any standard diagnostic tool; on drive-in and mobile jobs we erase it for you.
Is the clock spring repair guaranteed?+
Yes — every clock spring we repair carries a 12-month workmanship warranty. The only exclusion is hair ingress, which can foul the mechanism after refitting.
Clock spring playing up? We'll fix it.
Post it in for same-day dispatch and next-day return, drive in near Heathrow, or we'll come to you.