Driver Air Bag - Description

DESCRIPTION





The injection molded, thermoplastic driver airbag protective trim cover (2) is the most visible part of the driver airbag. The driver airbag is located in the center of the steering wheel (1), where it is secured by two screws within the hub cavity of the four-spoke steering wheel. An emblem with a bright Dodge Ram logo is applied to the center of the trim cover.





Concealed beneath the driver airbag trim cover are the folded airbag cushion, the airbag housing (1), the airbag inflator (3), the retainers that secure the inflator to the airbag housing and the horn switch. The airbag cushion, housing, and inflator are secured within an integral receptacle molded into the back of the trim cover. The horn switch armature (6) is secured to the back of the driver airbag housing by four screws. On vehicles equipped with the optional steering wheel switches (5), these switches are secured by screws to two integral mounting tabs located at each outboard side of the driver airbag housing. The horn switch and optional steering wheel switches are connected to the vehicle electrical system through a dedicated pigtail harness of the clockspring.

The airbag used in this model is a Next Generation-type that complies with revised federal airbag standards to deploy with less force than those used in some prior models. A radial deploying fabric cushion with internal tethers is used. The airbag inflator is a solid fuel, non-azide, pyrotechnic-type unit with four mounting studs and is secured to the metal airbag housing by four hex nuts. A keyed connector receptacle (4) on the driver airbag inflator connects the inflator initiator to the vehicle electrical system through a yellow-jacketed, two-wire pigtail harness of the clockspring.

The driver airbag and trim cover unit cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective, or in any way damaged.