Driver Airbag: Assembly

The following procedures can be used to replace the driver airbag trim cover and/or to access the horn switch unit for service. If the driver airbag is faulty or deployed, the entire driver airbag, trim cover and horn switch must be replaced as a unit.

WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, AIRBAG, 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 SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, SERVICE OF THIS UNIT SHOULD BE PERFORMED ONLY BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER-TRAINED AND AUTHORIZED DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIANS. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS OR TO FOLLOW THE PROPER PROCEDURES COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL, INCOMPLETE, OR IMPROPER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT INJURIES.

WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, USE EXTREME CARE TO PREVENT ANY FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM ENTERING THE DRIVER AIRBAG, OR BECOMING ENTRAPPED BETWEEN THE DRIVER AIRBAG CUSHION AND THE DRIVER AIRBAG TRIM COVER. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

WARNING: TO AVOID PERSONAL INJURY OR DEATH, THE DRIVER AIRBAG TRIM COVER MUST NEVER BE PAINTED. REPLACEMENT TRIM COVERS ARE SERVICED IN THE ORIGINAL COLORS. PAINT MAY CHANGE THE WAY IN WHICH THE MATERIAL OF THE TRIM COVER RESPONDS TO AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

NOTE: If the horn switch and tray have been removed from the sewn pouch in the airbag cushion retaining strap, be certain that they are properly reinstalled with the horn switch feed and ground pigtail wires properly oriented before assembling the trim cover onto the airbag housing. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/HORN/HORN SWITCH - INSTALLATION) .

Place the new driver airbag trim cover on a suitable work surface with the airbag receptacle facing up. Be certain to take the proper precautions to prevent the trim cover from receiving cosmetic damage during the following procedures.
Carefully position the driver airbag into the trim cover receptacle. Be certain that the horn switch feed and ground pigtail wires are not pinched between the airbag housing and the trim cover locking blocks.

Engage the upper and lower trim cover locking blocks with the lip of the driver airbag housing, then engage the locking blocks on each side of the trim cover with the lip of the housing. Be certain that each of the locking blocks is fully engaged on the lip of the airbag housing. See Fig 1.

Fig 1: Driver Airbag Trim Cover Locking Blocks Engaged

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - LIP

2 - TRIM COVER

3 - HORN SWITCH

4 - AIRBAG HOUSING

5 - LOCKING BLOCK

Reinstall the horn switch ground pigtail wire eyelet terminal over the upper right inflator stud on the back of the driver airbag housing.
Reinstall the upper and lower airbag trim cover retainers over the inflator studs on the back of the driver airbag housing. Be certain that the tabs on each retainer are engaged in the slots of the upper and lower trim cover locking blocks. See Figure.
Install and tighten the four nuts that secure the trim cover retainers to the inflator studs on the back of the driver airbag housing. Tighten the nuts to 7 N.m (60 in. lbs.).
Engage the horn switch feed pigtail wire connector retainer in the mounting hole in the upper trim cover retainer.
Reinstall the driver airbag onto the steering wheel. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/DRIVER AIRBAG - INSTALLATION) .