T/A lt1
07-16-2003, 01:54 PM
I want to disconnect the airbags how do I remove these and disconnect all this without the airbag going off and busting me in the face? I am going to change my steering wheel and remove all of the hardware. I would also like to remove the passenger airbag too. How much of a job is this and how long do you think it will take. I am thinking that and then Front&rear bumper supports should be around 80lbs.? i am also going with lightwieght battery aound 25lbs. then maybe a k-member. What do you guys think? I should be alot lighter than 3700lbs then. Later Clint
Injuneer
07-16-2003, 02:50 PM
Originally posted by T/A lt1
I want to disconnect the airbags how do I remove these and disconnect all this without the airbag going off and busting me in the face? I am going to change my steering wheel and remove all of the hardware. I would also like to remove the passenger airbag too. How much of a job is this and how long do you think it will take. I am thinking that and then Front&rear bumper supports should be around 80lbs.? i am also going with lightwieght battery aound 25lbs. then maybe a k-member. What do you guys think? I should be alot lighter than 3700lbs then. Later Clint
The front and rear bumper crash pads, plus steel beams are 19# EACH. I just pulled them, and weighed them. So, only 38# total.
Also saw a note in another thread that said 35# savings for replacing stock steel hood with fiberglass.... my stock steel hood only weighed 37# alltogether. Not sure what the SLP composite replacement weighs, but its defintely heavier than 2# :)..
To remove the airbags, I would suggest you get a manual like Chiltons to insure you have the correct procedure. That is what I used for the drivers side airbag. I would guess the net savings there of replacing the stock wheel+airbag with a cheap Grant wheel and install kit is about 20# net.
You need to remove battery power from the car, and let it sit at least 20 minutes to insure the stored power in the DERM module is drained down. Then... go direct to the base of the steering column and find the yellow harness connector with the safety lock on it. Disconnect that connector to seperate the airbag from the control system. Then start removing the wheel. Airbag is about 4 screws, and then unplug the harness you can see. If you have steering wheel radio controls, those unplug also. There is a "ring" for the airbag and radio controls that might be a little tricky to remove - can't remember. And then you take the nut off the steering column and pull the steering wheel with a simple 2-bolt puller. Then you need to get the harness wires out of the steering wheel, and I found that it was a lot easier to just cut the harness connector off the end, so the harness could be pulled up through all the mess in the column housing. If you want to resell the bag, try and keep the harness intact.
You will now have the "airbag" light. Removing the bulb is about the only way to solve it. Haven't done the passenger side yet. I have found a source for replacement covers, without the bag. If you want to resell the bag from the passenger side, you have to remove it with the cover, as far as I know.
DaveZLT1
07-16-2003, 03:03 PM
The passenger airbag off my 94 Formula weighed approximately 17lbs. You can also scrape off some insulation glued under dash for another 4-5lbs.
If this is a street/strip car you should do some reading first: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/airbags/