Log in

View Full Version : How to remove the passenger airbag without removing the dash


MuZiZZle
12th July 2011, 07:25
Okay guys, first guide so go easy on me.

Here's a guide to removing the passenger airbag without removing the dash.

You will need the following:

A couple of flat head screwdrivers, 1 small for the vent, 1 large for the airbag

A shifter, I personally used the shifter as I used it to grip the bolts from "above" as it was easier to get the shifter in than a ring spanner or socket, I could also feel where the nuts were alowing me to work blind.

Here we go!

1, remove the vent with a bit of screwdriver action, pop the surround out, then work the gubbins out prying the top then bottom, repeat

http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/3254/img2285wz.jpg

2, Once the vent is off you will be able to see the pipe leading to it from the heater, this runs from the vent, behind the airbag & joins the center heating vents, you can reach up under the dash & with some jiggery pokery you can remove it. I deformed mine & pulled it out, it's plastic like a strong 4 pint milk container so don't worry

http://img269.imageshack.us/img269/549/img2286z.jpg

3, Now you can remove the nuts, they are on the back of the unit, locations shown as below

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/6929/img2291s.jpg
http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/8048/img2294kq.jpg

You can get the 2 left hand nuts by coing in through the vent hole, the 2 on the far right you might have to do blind.

As soon as the nut moves you can get it off by hand, they're not very stiff, and once you have the left hand 2 off, I would use one of the nuts to set your shifter, then reach up through the fusebox flap and feel for the other 2 nuts.

Slip the shifter over the top of the nut & twist, it's tight in there so getting it on sideways is a bit of a non starter.

http://img34.imageshack.us/img34/5830/img2289pr.jpg
http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/1706/img2290a.jpg

4, gently remove the airbag unit with a flat head screwdriver

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/6929/img2291s.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/5606/img2292r.jpg

The unit is connected by 2 wires, the green cable just unclips, you will probably need a small flat head to remove the clip on the orange cable

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/5607/img2293g.jpg

There you go, airbag out, lovely big hole in your dash!

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/8048/img2294kq.jpg
http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/3290/img2295g.jpg

Now if you feel adventurous, you can remove all of the associated under carpet wiring and the module under the dash

http://img807.imageshack.us/img807/3441/img2296e.jpg

:afro:

Manu
12th July 2011, 07:28
0. unplug the battery

MuZiZZle
12th July 2011, 08:00
0. unplug the battery

Nah, that just removes the element of danger

Manu
12th July 2011, 08:16
like the guy who sliced his fingers on a fan...

MuZiZZle
12th July 2011, 08:32
really?!?!?

Manu
12th July 2011, 08:33
actually real, yes.

lilsteve192
12th July 2011, 13:56
Can you fit a glove box into the whole after you've took the air bag out??

I hate not having a glove box.... No where to keep my gloves lol

MuZiZZle
13th July 2011, 07:13
Can you fit a glove box into the whole after you've took the air bag out??

I hate not having a glove box.... No where to keep my gloves lol

it's funny you should say that, it's what I'm thinking as the hole looks a bit evil to be honest, am going to try and remove the plastic from the face of the airbag and hinge it.

Watch this space, I'll probably just use LOTS of zip ties!