My airbags went off when I hit a guard rail head on a few years ago. I am just now getting it up and running. I replaced the body parts and now I am on to the interior. I cut the airbag out of the steering wheel and just tucked the pass side back in. My question is what does it take to replace them? I was just going to leave them as is but the look of the steering wheel is going to bug me so should I just replace the steering wheel or both the air bags? I don't plan on wrecking it again, haha, but I would like to have it back to stock, or to look stock at the very least. I did a search but didn't find anything that pertained to my situation. I just want to know what is involved as far as work and money. Thanks.
What to do with air bags?
- Thread starter BKilla_13
- Start date
I had to replace my airbags due to a dumb@$$ cutting across traffic and hitting me in front of the driver's wheel. Little damage, but it set off the airbags. 
The airbags are replaceable, but you'll spend about $400 or more to get them used.
Normally, one should disconnect the battery and wait 15-20 minutes before removing the airbags. Unplugging them while there's power in the airbag system CAN blow the airbags. It's just not worth the risk. In your case, the airbags are blown so it's irrelevant. Be sure to disconnect the battery before replacing the airbags, however.
The driver's airbag is attached by two bolts and an electrical connector. On the side of the wheel, you'll see a round plug with what kinda looks like a slot. Pop off the covers with a small screwdriver and you'll reveal a bolt head on each side. Remove the bolts and the airbag will be free. Pull it out slowly, then disconnect the one electrical connector. Reverse the instructions to install the new bag.
The passenger airbag is a little trickier. The two bolts and connector are hidden in the dash, so you must remove the glove box to get at them. The bolts are recessed in a metal support bar, so they're hard to see anyway. Also, there are usually two bits of velcro-like stuff holding the two side corners of the airbag cover down. Pull up on the corners to free the velcro. Once the two bolts are out and the plug next to them is undone, you can give the airbag a push from the back to get it moving. Then slide it up a bit then out.
You'll also need to replace the airbag computer, they're normally a one-use item. X 2 It's a blue box mounted on the transmission tunnel behind the stereo amp. You can get to it by looking in the driver's footwell and peeling back the carpet. There are two connectors leading to it; one black and one gray, if I remember right. Remove the bolts on both sides of the bracket, and you can get the box out without removing the dash.
Airbags can be bought of off eBay, the Corral or check your local Craigslist.
Hope that helps.
The airbags are replaceable, but you'll spend about $400 or more to get them used.Normally, one should disconnect the battery and wait 15-20 minutes before removing the airbags. Unplugging them while there's power in the airbag system CAN blow the airbags. It's just not worth the risk. In your case, the airbags are blown so it's irrelevant. Be sure to disconnect the battery before replacing the airbags, however.
The driver's airbag is attached by two bolts and an electrical connector. On the side of the wheel, you'll see a round plug with what kinda looks like a slot. Pop off the covers with a small screwdriver and you'll reveal a bolt head on each side. Remove the bolts and the airbag will be free. Pull it out slowly, then disconnect the one electrical connector. Reverse the instructions to install the new bag.
The passenger airbag is a little trickier. The two bolts and connector are hidden in the dash, so you must remove the glove box to get at them. The bolts are recessed in a metal support bar, so they're hard to see anyway. Also, there are usually two bits of velcro-like stuff holding the two side corners of the airbag cover down. Pull up on the corners to free the velcro. Once the two bolts are out and the plug next to them is undone, you can give the airbag a push from the back to get it moving. Then slide it up a bit then out.
You'll also need to replace the airbag computer, they're normally a one-use item.
X 2 It's a blue box mounted on the transmission tunnel behind the stereo amp. You can get to it by looking in the driver's footwell and peeling back the carpet. There are two connectors leading to it; one black and one gray, if I remember right. Remove the bolts on both sides of the bracket, and you can get the box out without removing the dash.Airbags can be bought of off eBay, the Corral or check your local Craigslist.
Hope that helps.
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