How do you get the wheel off without blowing the bag, will a hub from a 1989 style steering column work on the 1993 and up? I had a 1989 Turbo Trans Am and had a Grant leather steering wheel which I would like to put on my 1995 z-28...

Eric

 

You can pull the airbag fuse and I'd also disconnect the battery just to be safe. Also let the car sit for about 30 minutes before working with the airbag.

I don't remember exactly how I did this anymore, but I beleive there's 4 torx (not sure what size) screws (in the back of the steering wheel) holding the bag in place.
Once you take it out, it's pretty straightforward after that. Well there's this one retainer ring you'll need a special tool to remove (I didn't use the tool but it was a PITA) but other than that, the right socket for the nut and a steering wheel puller, you don't need anything else.

I don't know if the hub from the '89 will fit the '95 though.

 

basically the same as the 1989 design steering column, a retainer spring (safety) clip and splined shaft.

 

Well I looked in the Momo catalog (I had a Momo steering wheel) and they show one hub for both these years, so yes, it should work fine.

 

I just pulled the fuse and removed the torx screws. My friend who is a mechanic called me a crazy muthafugger and told me how he disconnects the battery and uses a ground strap. The way i see it pulling the fuse was as good as disconnecting the battery and you'd be grounded from removing the bolts and touching the metal frame, except for the fact that the horn still has voltage in there!!! OOOPS. So i undid the battery before putting it back together.

There are 2 wireing harnesses inside, 1 for the radio controls and one for the airbag. There is also a ground for the horn. The airbag harness has a little locking piece you must slide out first.

He also told me to set the airbag upright so that if it does go off it just opens, not launches itself like a missle.

 

He doesn't have radio controls on his 95 Z28....

My airbag's been sitting in the basement for months, kicked back and forth whenever it was in the way.
When I hooked it back up it worked just fine.

You'll also need to cut a wire from the Body Comuter so that the AIRBAG light doesn't stay on. The BCM is located behind the glovebox. (shiny aluminum box) Disconnect the connector and remove or cut a BROWN wire from the connector. If you cut it, don't forget to isolate the ends with some electrical tape.

 

good call, that actually crossed my mind but i didn't feel like going back to see what car he had and i didn't think chebby's were that cheap!.

My friend was definitly overhyping the danger a little bit, but it could definitly hurt you and cost a chunk of change if it went off accidently.

My one gripe about this forum setup was that you can't see what your responding too while you type your response. DOH, low and behold it's down below!!!

 

Might need more tips or advice as I go. Thanks for the info.

 

Ummm.... be extremely careful... If the wires get ANY voltage the thing is going to blow and .. you'll get broken nose, whiplash, all those nasty things. Fortunately you're a 95 so you're allowed to remove the airbags...

It's really the sort of thing you should have a mechanic do... but good luck/god speed/let me get your camaro when you die!!!

 

Oh come on... Sounds like you've had some not so pleasant experiences with your Eclipse.

And since when are you "allowed" to remove airbags on ANY vehicle?