Service Procedure

WARNING:
THE INVOLVED VEHICLES UTILIZE A MECHANICAL AIR BAG SYSTEM. BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE OR INSTALL THE AIR BAG, YOU MUST FIRST DISARM THE AIR BAG FIRING MECHANISM. FAILURE TO DO SO COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE INJURY.

1. Position the vehicle with the steering heel centered and the tires straight ahead.

Note:
If vehicle is equipped with a tilt column, move steering wheel to its lowest position.





2. Remove the arming screw cap from the steering wheel back cover using a small flat blade screw driver (Figure 1).





3. From outside the vehicle1 reach through the drivers window and rotate the arming screw counter-clockwise. Do NOT use power driven tools! Back off the screw until the head is about one inch above the surface of the steering wheel back cover (Figure 2).

Note:
The arming screw has a built in stop that prevents the bolt from backing all the way out.





4. Remove the four air bag module mounting nuts from the back of the steering wheel (Figure 3).

Note:
A nut-blocker mechanism prevents removal of the upper two mounting nuts until the air bag arming screw has been raised to the disarm position, as instructed in step 3.

5. Remove the drivers air bag from the steering wheel.





6. With the air bag in the upright position, locate the black plastic cover on the back side of the air bag module (Figure 4).





7. Looking down from the top side of the air bag module, closely inspect the opening on the top side of the black plastic cover for the presence of an arming lever as shown in figure 5.

Caution:
Do NOT insert any objects into the arming lever opening or depress the arming lever. This will arm the air bag and could cause accidental deployment and possible injury.

Note:
Since both, the arming lever and the plastic cover are black, use a bright light when conducting this inspection.

If the air bag module HAS an arming lever as shown in figure 5a, proceed to step 9 to reinstall it.

If the air bag module DOES NOT HAVE an arming lever as shown in figure 5b, the air bag MUST BE REPLACED. Order an air bag module then proceed to step 8.





8. IF THE AIR BAG DOES NOT HAVE AN ARMING LEVER as shown in figure 5b, it must be returned to the air bag manufacturer. Use the replacement air bag packaging material and follow the Dealer Shipping Instructions provided in each package for return shipment.

9. Install the air bag into the steering column and torque the four mounting nuts to 90 in-lbs. (10 N.m) (Figure 3).

10. From outside the vehicle, reach through the drivers window and rotate the arming screw clockwise until the head of the screw is below the surface of the steering wheel back cover hole. Do NOT use power driven tools! Torque the arming screw to 25 in-lbs. (3 N-m) (Figure 2).

Caution:
Arming screw MUST BE TORQUED to 25 in-lbs. (3 N.m) to assure that air bag is properly armed.

11. Install the arming screw cap into the steering wheel back cover (Figure 1).