Driver Air Bag - Removal

REMOVAL

Special Tools:






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 (DAB). 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 DAB 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. Locate the access holes (2) in the lower surface of the steering wheel (1) hub rear trim cover near each of the two horizontal spokes.






NOTE: The graphics show the Driver AirBag (DAB) mounting/horn switch plate (3) and the retainer spring (4) engaged under the hooks (2) of the armature within the steering wheel hub cavity (1) without the DAB trim cover, cushion, housing and inflator present. This was done to provide graphical clarity of the components involved in DAB retention. The DAB trim cover, cushion, housing and inflator can only be removed as a unit with the mounting/horn switch plate and retainer spring as outlined in the following procedure.

3. Insert the DAB removal tool (6) (10296) through one of the steering wheel access holes. A guide and notch (5) integral to each side of the steering wheel hub rear trim cover (1) and the mounting/horn switch plate (3) will assist in directing the tool to the ends of the retainer spring (4).





4. When the insertion depth of the special tool (3) has reached the point where the groove (4) in the shaft of the tool is even with the outer surface of the trim cover, the tool should be near or in contact with the retainer spring (2). Push inward (toward the steering column) on the special tool far enough to disengage the retainer spring from under the hook (1) of the steering wheel armature.
5. Pull the released side of the DAB away from the steering wheel far enough to insert a trim stick or another long and thin obstacle between the released spoke of the DAB trim cover and the steering wheel spoke hub cavity. This will help to prevent the released end of the retainer spring from becoming accidentally engaged again, while the opposite end of the retainer spring is being released.
6. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for the opposite end of the retainer spring.
7. Pull the DAB away from the steering wheel far enough to access the clockspring pigtail wire harness connections to the horn switch and the DAB inflator initiators.

CAUTION: Do not pull on the clockspring pigtail wires or pry on the connector insulators to disengage them from the Driver AirBag (DAB) inflator initiator connector receptacles. Improper removal of these pigtail wires and their connector insulators can result in damage to the airbag circuits or the connector insulators.

8. The clockspring DAB pigtail wire connector insulators are each secured by an integral latch to the airbag inflator initiator connector receptacles, which are located on the back of the DAB housing. Squeeze the latch tab against the connector insulator, then pull the insulator straight out from the connector receptacle to disengage and disconnect it.
9. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.
10. If the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring and the steering column must be replaced. Clockspring - Removal. Steering Column - Removal.