Trouble removing Airbag

[JHyatt147]

I am trying to remove my airbag and the passenger side spring in nowhere to be found. Driver side pops easily as normal but the passenger side is impossible.

Has anyone ran into this or know is this spring could somehow break/fail?

I have looked in there with a flashlight (very uncomfortable btw) and in don’t see anything there it hit.

Kind of at a loss here.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[FaRKle!]

Have you only tried pushing that spring once the driver's side is loose? I've seen some cases where that side is easier if you do it first. Typically that spring sits a bit more towards the "Front/person side" of the steering wheel.

[JHyatt147]

Originally Posted by FaRKle!

Have you only tried pushing that spring once the driver's side is loose? I've seen some cases where that side is easier if you do it first. Typically that spring sits a bit more towards the "Front/person side" of the steering wheel.

I did a bunch of combos.

I remember the passenger side being tougher but I think the spring may actually be broken. If that’s even possible to be broken (the bottoms) and still be holding the airbag.

Thank you and I will keep that in mind when I try again tomorrow.

This was the final car project of the day and I was looking up how much rear trim for the wheel was. lol.

When dremel ideas start appearing it’s break time.

[NSX2M4]

I had this issue after a shifter install. A lot of wiring goes through that area and it has to sit exactly correct in the rear plastic cover otherwise it's an absolute bitch to get off. Keep working at it. I used a variety of Allen keys, flat head screwdrivers, etc until I finally got it. When you get frustrated just take a break and go at it another day.
it also helps to spin the steering wheel so it faces up in the sun and you can see in there.
Good luck, you'll get it.

[NickyC]

It's amazing what a PITA this can be the first time you do it. It will make absolutely no sense, and for me it got to the point where I wanted to just rip the airbag out hah. Just use a very small flat head screwdriver, and go at different angles until you feel some slight tension/it starts bending it.

Whatever you do, don't get frustrated and just start stabbing at it. The prongs are not very deep, and if you find yourself getting screwdriver handle deep into the hole you are way past where you need to be. It's important to be careful, because as NSX2M4 said above, there are wires in there. I actually cut one of the wires to the paddles once because I let the meat head side of me take over and I got frustrated/started smashing things.

Now that I know how to do it however, I have that bag off in like 10 seconds. It's SO easy once you know how, but if not, it can seem like the most challenging thing ever. Just take your time, good luck!

[SukSqueezeBangBlo]

It took me awhile it find the spring also. What helped me was using a wooden chop stick(I broke it about 2/3 the way down so it wasn’t as thin width wise). It was the only way I could engage the spring. Other tools were going past the spring location.

[HotRodM4]

Love reading these replies because it’s relatable. That first time taking out the airbag was terrible as you can tell by the scratches left.

[Boznien]

I'm assuming you watched a video on how to remove it already.

My biggest tip was just keep probing with a flat head and find a spot where you find tension and that's how you know you found it.

Like others said, just keep your cool and not try to start stabbing and poking things.

[gerri]

The problem for many is that they use a thin flat head screwdriver and go past the spring. If you use a T27 screwdriver (the TIS teaches) you will unlock it immediately.

[jfritz27]

Originally Posted by gerri

The problem for many is that they use a thin flat head screwdriver and go past the spring. If you use a T27 screwdriver (the TIS teaches) you will unlock it immediately.

#jedi

[DeTh]

Didn't have any problems doing mine. I used a long Allen key and it popped right off.

[wishbone]

I tend to use a driver with some sort of thicker, blunt end.

I had some electronics drivers with socket torx that were narrow and fit in the channel.

Felt better than the flathead because I had more surface area.