2003 E85 Airbag Removal

[SeanCrockett]

Afternoon all - currently replacing faulty Power Steering - ECU are all ready & waiting - but can only get the LHS clip released on the airbag - we've been on this for 3 days and it's getting very monotonous. Any ideas?
The car had a bump around 2008 ish and I'm suspecting the airbag fired and perhaps slightly damaged the springs making release difficult or impossible.
I'm thinking I may need to just fire the airbag - get the steering motor off and replace the airbag when re-assembling.
Good idea or bad idea?

 

[enuff_zed]

Speak to @colb at Zedshed Cymru.
He should be able to assist.
If you fire the airbag you ‘may’ cause the control modules to register it as an accident and then you would need them sorting too.
Not sure if this would happen but is it really worth the risk?

 

[enuff_zed]

Mind you, with the seat out you can get away without removing the steering wheel to swap the EPS motor. It’s a bit more tricky getting under there but I have done it that way once before.

 

[SeanCrockett]

Thanks - @colb has been loads of help already

 

[enuff_zed]

Thanks - @colb has been loads of help already

Well if even he can’t get it off then it’s doable with it left on as I mentioned.

 

[Joez4]

I left my steering wheel on whilst changing the eps motor, used it as a handle to help me get out the car

 

[colb]

Doable as the others say with the wheel left on but easier with the seat out for more room to work.

 

[enuff_zed]

I left my steering wheel on whilst changing the eps motor, used it as a handle to help me get out the car

You’re obviously a lot younger than me. I take my phone into the footwell in case I need the fire brigade!

 

[SeanCrockett]

Almost unbelievably after 3 1/2 hours on this today (working around my normal job) I've finally got it off!!!!!!!!!!

but I never want to have to go through that again!!

 

[Zedebee]

Almost unbelievably after 3 1/2 hours on this today (working around my normal job) I've finally got it off!!!!!!!!!!

but I never want to have to go through that again!!

Now you’ve got it off, can you see what the problem was? The spring clips are very robust, so I would be surprised if either of them were damaged.

 

[smorris_12]

And, bring spring steel, they'd deform and bounce back!

 

[CuppaTea]

Is there a recommended length/width screwdriver for the job?

 

[bigwinn]

Is there a recommended length/width screwdriver for the job?

The best one is the screwdriver in the cars tool kit

 

[enuff_zed]

Is there a recommended length/width screwdriver for the job?

I use a parallel pin punch just slightly smaller than the access hole.

 

[Joez4]

You’re obviously a lot younger than me. I take my phone into the footwell in case I need the fire brigade!

Haha it's certainly not a job I want to do again but its easier than trying to break the roof motor free in the boot, I gave up on that idea quite quickly, if I didnt know it was a proven method I would never believe it can be done that way