Driver Air Bag - Removal

REMOVAL

WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor, or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.

WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury when removing a deployed airbag, rubber gloves, eye protection, and a long-sleeved shirt should be worn. There may be deposits on the airbag cushion and other interior surfaces. In large doses, these deposits may cause irritation to the skin and eyes.

NOTE: The following procedure is for replacement of an ineffective or damaged driver airbag. If the airbag is ineffective or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for handling non-deployed supplemental restraints. Service and Repair . If the driver airbag has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for service after a supplemental restraint deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle. Service and Repair .





1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
2. Release the steering column tilt lever and lower the column to its most downward position for easiest driver airbag removal access.

NOTE: It may be helpful to use a small mirror to aid visibility during the initial attempt to remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.

3. There are three airbag retainer access holes (1) on the instrument panel side of the hub of the steering wheel (2), located at the two o'clock, six o'clock and ten o'clock positions. The steering wheel must be rotated to bring each of these access holes up to the twelve o'clock position of the steering column one at a time for removal access.





4. Insert the tip of a short handled, flat-bladed screwdriver (1) into either of the upper (two o'clock or ten o'clock) access holes of the steering wheel hub trim cover (3) being certain to place the screwdriver blade (2) on the inboard side of the airbag snap retainer wire loop.





5. Twist the screwdriver handle in either direction far enough to disengage the snap retainer wire loop from the hook of the steering wheel armature. At the same time, gently pull the driver airbag (1) away from the steering wheel (2) to prevent the retainer from snapping back into place over the hook once it is disengaged.
6. Repeat 4 and 5 at the other upper (two o'clock or ten o'clock) access hole to disengage the other upper snap retainer wire loop.
7. Repeat 4 and 5 at the lower (six o'clock) access hole to disengage the lower snap retainer wire loop. The lower snap retainer wire loop has a distinctive V-shape and must always be installed onto the six o'clock hook of the steering wheel armature.
8. Pull the driver airbag away from the steering wheel far enough to access the electrical connections (3) at the back of the airbag housing.






CAUTION: Do not pull on the clockspring pigtail wires or pry on the connector insulator to disengage the connector from the driver airbag inflator connector receptacle. Improper removal of these pigtail wires and their connector insulators can result in damage to the airbag circuits or the connector insulators.

9. The clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connectors (4) are secured by an integral lock to the airbag inflator (5) connector receptacles, which are located on the back of the driver airbag (1) housing. Firmly grasp and pull the lock straight out from the connector insulator, then pull the insulators straight out from the airbag inflator to disconnect them from the connector receptacles.
10. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.
11. If the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced and the steering column must be inspected. Clockspring - Removal. Testing and Inspection.