What is the purpose of this spring

[Pdxguy]

Does the spring,  #3 on the diagram below, (part number 32311110814), and the ground cable on the universal joint on the steering column (yellow arrow on the third image) perform the same function? Guessing something to do with static electricity not being sent up to the steering wheel? Bought the universal joint/flanges used and it had the cable connected to both flanges, similar to the spring's connection. 

I have a rusted spring, not sure how long it will last, and they are NLA. The cable seems a good solution if I am understanding the function correctly. 

 

Thanks,

Dennis

 

 

 

No.	Description	Supp.	Qty	From	Up To	Part Number	Price		Notes
01	Flange	Z=36	1			32311150426	$42.73
02	Hex bolt	M8X35	2	03/1966	07/1977	07119913676	$0.36
03	Spring		1			32311110814	$34.35		ENDED
04	Universal joint		1			32311112359	$24.64		ENDED
04	Universal joint		1			32311112358
05	Flange		1	03/1966	07/1977	32312670180	$93.74		ENDED
05	Flange	Z=36	1	03/1966	07/1977	32311150426	$42.73
07	Steering spindle	M 14X1,5	1			32311114192			ENDED
07	Steering spindle	M 12X1,5	1	03/1966	04/1972	32312482105	$555.77		ENDED
09	Hex nut	M12X1,5	1			07119921626	$1.17		ENDED
09	Self-locking hex nut	M12X1,5-10-PHR	1			07129900047	$0.62
09	Self-locking hex nut	M14X1,5	1			07129922470			ENDED
09	Self-locking hex nut	M14X1,5 ZNFE	1			31121095420	$0.88		ENDED
09	Self-locking hex nut	M14X1,5-05 ZNS3	1			31106774714	$1.12
10	Wave washer	B12	1		07/1977	07119932123	$0.38		ENDED
10	Washer	A13/HV-ZNS	1		07/1977	07119901766	$0.30
10	Washer	13-140 HV-ZN	1			07119936442	$1.48
10	Wave washer	B14	1			07119932147	$0.20
13	Self-locking hex nut	M8	6		03/1987	07129922714	$0.17		ENDED
13	Self-locking hex nut	M8	6		07/1977	07129946400	$0.35		ENDED
13	Self-locking hex nut	M8-8-ZNNIV SI	6			07129905767	$0.27		ENDED
13	Self-locking hex nut	M8-8-ZNNI SI	6			07129906196	$1.60

 

 

RealOEM.com - steering column.pdf

[Son of Marty]

It's needed to ground the horn circuit. ether style will do the job.

[Pdxguy]

The ground cable seems a lot more likely to remain intact in ten years. 

[TobyB]

beep- beep.

 

I've seen both fail.

 

t