Driver Airbag: Disassembly

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.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL) .
Place the driver airbag on a suitable work surface with the trim cover facing down. If the trim cover will be reused, be certain to take the proper precautions to prevent the trim cover from receiving cosmetic damage during the following procedures.

Remove the four nuts that secure the upper and lower trim cover retainers to the studs on the back of the driver airbag housing. See Fig 1.

Fig 1: Horn Switch Feed Wire Remove/Install

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - HORN SWITCH GROUND PIGTAIL WIRE

2 - NUT (4)

3 - HORN SWITCH FEED PIGTAIL WIRE

Remove the upper and lower trim cover retainers from the airbag housing studs. See Fig 2.

Fig 2: Driver Airbag Trim Cover

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - UPPER RETAINER

2 - AIRBAG HOUSING

3 - TRIM COVER

4 - NUT (4)

5 - LOWER RETAINER

6 - INFLATOR

7 - STUD (4)

Disengage the horn switch feed pigtail wire connector retainer from the mounting hole in the upper trim cover retainer.
Remove the horn switch ground pigtail wire eyelet terminal from the upper right inflator stud on the back of the driver airbag housing.
Disengage the four trim cover locking blocks from the lip around the outside edge of the driver airbag housing and remove the housing from the trim cover receptacle. See Fig 3.

Fig 3: Driver Airbag Trim Cover Remove/Install

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

1 - UPPER RETAINER SLOT (2)

2 - LOCKING BLOCK (4)

3 - LOWER RETAINER SLOT (2)