Air bag help.

[ktrehs]

Hi, I am a new member, but have been taking your advice for a year or two. I can't afford the dealership, so I really appreciate your advice. I have a 2002 Explorer xlt. I have a big problem. My passenger airbag cover was dented...don't ask. I wanted to replace it, so I found a used one. Now trying to remove/replace old one. I disconnected the battery and waited about 15 minutes. Next, I removed glove box. I disconnected cable connector and the two nuts. It isn't budging, so I am assuming there are either more bolts...which I don't know how, since those are the only two on the new one, or there are clips. I see two metal ones on the top, I am trying to take care of, but there must be something I am missing. Now, my husband went and bent the old one more- trying to look for clips, so there is no going back...

I know a professional should be doing this, but I can't afford one. I am broke and just trying to keep my vehicle running and looking decent. Please, if there is any instructions on this matter, I would really appreciate the help. I will make sure that the key is turned to the on position when I put the battery cables back on, so if it deploys, I will not be in the car.

I am pretty handy... I have fixed the window switch, replaced the master switch, the 4wd module, do my brakes, and numerous other little things that went wrong...

Thanks again, Katie

 

[BrooklynBay]

Welcome to this forum! I've moved your thread into the stock 2002-2005 section. You sound very handy. Do you have a diagram of the air bag in the steering column? It will make things easier to understand. The dealer's parts department could print it for you.

 

[ktrehs]

Passenger side airbag. Thanks for looking. I will take any help I can get.

 

[1_v8_merc]

Here are a few pics i took with my iphone, they are from my Chiltons manual.

Hopefully this helps some!


WARNING, FAIRLY LARGE PICTURES!
(had to actually chop them down smaller too,lol.)
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[ktrehs]

Thank you so much! I will work on this today, and let you know how it goes!

 

[ktrehs]

Thank you so much! I feel like an idiot. After looking at the pictures of the airbag, it clearly shows 3 nuts/bolts... stuck my head in there, and sure enough, there was a third bolt I hadn't seen in the back. The whold process took 5 minutes. I can't believe I spent and hour the other day, and found nothing! Thanks again!

 

[BrooklynBay]

Thanks for the update!