Driver Air Bag - Removal
REMOVAL
Special Tools:
WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with air bags, 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. Remove the upper shroud from the steering column. Steering Column Shroud - Removal.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Insert the short blade (Tip A) of the Driver Airbag Removal Tool (Special Tool #) (1) or the blade of an equivalent prying tool into either of the upper (two o'clock or ten o'clock) access holes (3) of the steering wheel hub rear trim cover (2), being certain to place the blade of the tool on the inboard (steering wheel hub) side of the airbag snap retainer wire loop.
6. Push the handle of the tool downward for the blade to pry the snap retainer wire loop (3) upward far enough to disengage the 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.
7. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 at the other upper (two o'clock or ten o'clock) access hole to disengage the other upper snap retainer wire loop.
8. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 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.
9. Pull the driver airbag away from the steering wheel far enough to access and disengage the plastic push-in retainer (2) of the clockspring pigtail wire harness (1) from the locator hole (3) at the 12 o'clock position on 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 connector insulators.
10. The clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connector insulators (1) are secured by integral latches (2) to the airbag inflator connector receptacles, which are located on the back of the driver airbag housing. Pinch both latches firmly, then pull the insulators straight out from the airbag inflator to disconnect them from the connector receptacles.
11. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.
12. If the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring and the steering column must be replaced.