Driver Side Air Bag

T

time only

New Member

Nov 15, 2002

461

0

0

Miami,FL

Nov 28, 2007

#1

• Nov 28, 2007

• #1

A +85 years old guy run a red light couple of weeks back and I tag him with the Mustang,need a new radiator and some front end works.

Anyone have any experience in replacing air bag ? Seems to me there is only 4 bolts holding on to the whole thing from the back .

 

bloopbloob

Member

Sep 27, 2006

578

4

16

Alberta

Nov 28, 2007

#2

• Nov 28, 2007

• #2

thats just one of those things i wouldn't touch... too much to lose if you don't do it right

also, if he ran the red light, and you hit him, why are you trying to fix it? shouldn't his insurance be paying for a shop to do that?

 

skunk21

Active Member

May 22, 2007

1,203

3

36

Taxachusetts

Nov 28, 2007

#3

• Nov 28, 2007

• #3

I'm with bloopbloob don't mess with the bag if you don't have any expierence with them. I'm a retired 16 year firefighter and the energy that the bag has stored will kill you. we did training on the fact that you never know when they will deploy even after a minor accident or extrication from a trained air bag tech and the stuff he showed us would shock the general public. I'm sure you felt some of it when it went of, but when you are working with one that is loose in a car that has frontal damage could spell danger. just looking out for your safety wouldn't want to read a bad story on here.

 

P

PJB

New Member

Aug 22, 2006

131

0

0

Rotterdam, NY

Nov 28, 2007

#4

• Nov 28, 2007

• #4

Its just four bolts and a plug holding it in. No big deal.
Youll also need to replace the sensor for the airbag along with the clock spring and possibly a few other parts that get ruined when the bag goes off.
Its really not all that hard to do. Ive replaced a few in various cars and had an airbag out for other repairs several times.

Didnt the old guy have insurance? If so why isnt he paying to get it fixed?

 

skunk21

Active Member

May 22, 2007

1,203

3

36

Taxachusetts

Nov 28, 2007

#5

• Nov 28, 2007

• #5

hmm maybe it isn't that hard then, but after I was in that class and I have seen what they can do so I leave those types of things to pro's who deal with them, but that is just me and again my own opinion. good luck and I hope you get you car fixed soon.

 

T

time only

New Member

Nov 15, 2002

461

0

0

Miami,FL

Nov 28, 2007

#6

• Nov 28, 2007

• #6

The other guy have insurance,but look like they are going to total lost my car and will make me a offer for it. I was just wondering a 1991 year old car is not going to worth that much money,so if I take up their offer and fixed it myself...

 

Otto1970

New Member

Nov 24, 2007

28

0

0

South Florida

Nov 28, 2007

#7

• Nov 28, 2007

• #7

I'll vouch for a fellow firefighter on this one. The videos in those training sessions taught me to really respect an armed air bag. I'm wanting to replace mine also but wouldn't mess w/ it unless I could really, really familiarize myself w/ the ins and outs of how it's done. there's got to be some reference material out there somewhere.

 

RMODEL65

Member

Jul 6, 2005

313

1

18

brunswick ga

Nov 29, 2007

#8

• Nov 29, 2007

• #8

time only said:

The other guy have insurance,but look like they are going to total lost my car and will make me a offer for it. I was just wondering a 1991 year old car is not going to worth that much money,so if I take up their offer and fixed it myself...

Click to expand...

whatever the total is say ok give me 1 dollar less you keep the car and can repair it yourself i got an airbag off ebay for 5$ i didnt hook it up cause id prefer not to have one in my car esp since it didnt function properly the first time

 

bloopbloob

Member

Sep 27, 2006

578

4

16

Alberta

Nov 29, 2007

#9

• Nov 29, 2007

• #9

i'm all for fixing up the car yourself, but i'd still rather have an experience professional do the airbag, even if it cost a couple hundred bucks. it could be your life one day, and even though you think you may have done a good job, will you ever be certain? it would never even cross my mind to do it myself. there are a lot worse places to spend the money! (i've spent $200+ bucks in a night on booze. (many times!!! )). i'm still a broke ass college kid, but i know i'd still make sure to have it done right. again, its just one of those things i would never touch...

 

Shakerhood

20+ Year Stangneter

Oct 28, 2004

3,355

207

114

Ohio

Nov 29, 2007

#10

• Nov 29, 2007

• #10

Its not really that hard when you look at the Wiring Diagram in the Ford Service Manual. If you have a Good VOM, it spells out each check for you to make so you can diagnose the Problem.

 

squeak93

15 Year Member

Jun 2, 2005

2,256

358

164

Joplin, Missouri

Nov 29, 2007

#11

• Nov 29, 2007

• #11

You have to drain the secondary power storage for the air bag. Once you unplug the battery you have to either ground the positive for 1 minute or let it sit for 15-30 (cant remember exact times but a good haynes or chiltons will give u better details) No big deal if no prior damage to car but I would be afraid to work on one with front end damage.