HELP: How to remove Passenger Airbag cover??

[Mini_Muc]

Hello there,
I've been messing around with my Cooper the past weeks trying to fit a Nokia HF unit and removing the alloy dash parts because I'd like to replace it with the "wood" covers. Now I have come to the passenger airbag cover and I could not find any hint on how to remove it in the forum.
I removed the upper black dashboard and I removed the screw(s) on the lower edge and I tried to pull the cover off. I heard a "click" when pulling from the lower part but the damned cover wouldn't get off. Has anyone done this before yet? I'm afraid I might have to replace the whole cover with a new one since when I try to press the cover back it won't make "click" (sorry for my bad english). I have read in one thread the cover might be attached to 2 straps behind the cover but I cannot figure out how to remove the whole thing (with out using excessive force).
Thanks for any advie...
Mike

[GordonD]

I guess running into a wall isn't an option

[Tom F.]

I have no idea, but on my Audi the airbag cover is part of the airbag assembly- you don't really remove the cover, you remove the entire unit.

When you find out, please make sure that Miniac incorporates the answer in the DIY FAQ he is developing about how to remove interior bits and pieces.

[MiNiGuY]

Quote:

Originally posted by Mini_Muc
Hello there,
I've been messing around with my Cooper the past weeks trying to fit a Nokia HF unit and removing the alloy dash parts because I'd like to replace it with the "wood" covers. Now I have come to the passenger airbag cover and I could not find any hint on how to remove it in the forum.
I removed the upper black dashboard and I removed the screw(s) on the lower edge and I tried to pull the cover off. I heard a "click" when pulling from the lower part but the damned cover wouldn't get off. Has anyone done this before yet? I'm afraid I might have to replace the whole cover with a new one since when I try to press the cover back it won't make "click" (sorry for my bad english). I have read in one thread the cover might be attached to 2 straps behind the cover but I cannot figure out how to remove the whole thing (with out using excessive force).
Thanks for any advie...
Mike

Hi,

First the bad news.

I'm afraid you have broken your cover.
They are designed to 'break open' on an impact, and the 'click' you heard was the seperation of the cover from the airbag container.
Once done, there is no way to return things to normal without purchasing a new container/cover - and maybe even an airbag also, as BMW may have a policy of only replacing the whole unit.
That was a potentially very expensive click i'm afraid.

Obviously, you could just leave things as they are, but I expect you have noticed by now that since pulling the cover and breaking its seal, it now sticks proud of the dash and will not go flush again.

Operation of the airbag is unaffected here by the way.


OK people,

Passenger Airbag Cover/container removal (Hard core home mechs only!!) :-


1, DISCONNECT THE BATTERY.
Turn and hold the ignition for 10 seconds as if attempting to start the car...
...Try the horn. Does it sound?? If yes then repeat the above until the horn is dead.



1a, make sure you have disconnected the battery and done the above steps. Dying is probably not nice so please do make sure you follow the above steps.


2, Remove the end plates from each end of the dashboard.
These are the plastic covers visable with the doors open.
Slide a blunt knife under the endplate and gently prise off the endplate. Go easy as the clips on the endplates are weak.

3, remove the 'topper pad' (the dash board top) by removing the 4 tx 20 (sometimes tx25) screws.There are 2 each side, made visable by the endplate removal in step 2.
4, Once the topper pad is off, you will see a (either metal or plastic) bracket above the passanger airbag area. This is known as the 'toaster rack' because on early models (the plastic bracket) it looked like a tost rack.
Under it you will notice a metal bar bolted to the metal frame of the dashboard. You will also notice a strap made from seat belt type material attatched to the bar and leading from it. This strap is attatched to the rear of the airbag cover to prevent it detaching totally on airbag deployment.

5, depending on the age of your car, the toaster rack will be held in place by rivets or bolts.
The early plastic type is riveted, the later metal type is bolted.

6,
On plastic type racks you must dill the heads off of the four rivets. You can then remove the plastic 'toaster rack' bracket...( then see step 7)...

On metal types you can simply unbolt the bracket although with metal types the bracket can be left in place but the job is made harder....(then see step 7)...

7, .... The removal of the bracket is simply to gain access to the metal bar holding the retaining strap (the seat belt type material).

8,You now want to undo the two bolts (one either side) holding the retaining strap bar to the dash frame.
Take great care that you do not drop a bolt or washer and lose it inside the dash somewhere!!


9, Ok the bolts are out. Well done. you're getting there.

10, Slide the bar out of the retaining strap and place it to one side.

11, Right, if you've made it to this step then you will be able to see pretty much where it's leading.
There's no point in me providing anymore steps as the above will see you hard core home mechs well on your way.
You will be able to see for yourself how the airbag box is attatched and be able to see why you did the above steps.

12, Remove any obvious tx screws holding the airbag box in place and any dash panels that you see fit to make your job easier and prevent damage.

13,The airbag cover/box slides forwards out of the dash.

Pull on the cover from its top edge only. It's the lower edge that is designed to break under force.

As you do this you will notice that the airbag gets left behind and stays in the dashboard.
There is no need to attempt to interfere with or disconnect the airbag itself.

14, With the cover/box removed you will also have noticed that the airbag is packed in a paper housing. When you replace the airbag cover/container be sure not to rip the airbags housing as you slide the box back in around the airbag.

With the airbag container out of the car you will see how it all goes together (and why the previous poster is in trouble!!). The airbag cover is one of those dredded ireversible 'melt' fits so it's up to you to find out about availability of parts etc to see wether you can get the outside cover or wether you need the whole box.

Plastic toaster rack owners...When putting it all together again you are obviously going to need a pop rivet gun.


For those interested in embarking on airbag cover removal, I suggest you print off these instructions and then follow them up to step 5. From there you can asses the situation and decide wether you wish to continue. If you don't then you can simply put the top back on the dash and whack the endplates back on!!

Good luck.

[AidenL]

Hiya MiNiGuY, long time no see........

[MiNiGuY]

Quote:

Originally posted by AidenL
Hiya MiNiGuY, long time no see........

Ello mate.

Got red seats yet ??

[AidenL]

Quote:

Originally posted by MiNiGuY
Ello mate.

Got red seats yet ??

Haven't even got the car yet...... Holding onto the Coop for a little while longer !

Still waiting, I'd still like those red seats though !

[d16rry]

hi does any one know where i can get the bracket that holds the the air bag in the 3 spoke steering wheel or what part number it is pls email me cokermoto@googlemail.com

[miniredcooper]

hey d16rry,

go to RealOEM.com Online BMW Parts Catalog (bmw online parts catalogue) and do a search for the part quite straightforward and very similar to main dealers parts catalogue. Better than me looking for you and recommending the wrong part.

Good luck