Repair Manuals

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Oct 19, 2003 | 07:27 AM

seabound

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Repair Manuals

Does a Haynes or Chilton manual have information on removing the airbag to gain access to the "clock spring"?
My cruise control and horn quit working at the same time and I can hear a scraping noise behind the steering wheel when I turn it. After reading some of the threads on hear it sounds to me like that may be my problem (already checked the fuses).

Oct 19, 2003 | 01:02 PM

Egor

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From: Tillamook, Ore

My Haynes manual says, Do not remove the airbag. Take it to a dealer for this.

Oct 19, 2003 | 01:20 PM

MustangGT221

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From: Topsfield, MA

An airbag is very dangerous to work with, you really should know what your doing. It's not something that you should play with when you've never done it before.

Oct 19, 2003 | 06:11 PM

wrh

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From: michigan

I just changed the clockspring on my 94 F150. The Haynes manual I had said nothing about the air bag or clockspring so I bought a Helms factory manual ( same one the dealers use). I found a used one on Ebay for 80 bucks. New ones are about 125.00. It goes into detail how to disable the air bag and change the clockspring ( Ford calls it the Air Bag Sliding Contact). Disconnect the battery for 1 minute and it will disable the air bag. You'll need a good quality steering wheel puller too. Be prepared to pay 130 bucks for a new clockspring at your ford dealer.

Oct 19, 2003 | 08:49 PM

HardScrabble

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I was reading about one type of airbag that was inflated by what was described as a shotgun shell without the shot. I later saw shipping information that confirmed that an airbag was classified as an explosive for shipping purposes.

That having been said I have seen some instructions for removing and replacing airbags and they are doable if you have the correct information to work with. If you have any doubts about working on your airbags, leave them to someone who knows, lives are at risk.

Oct 20, 2003 | 11:03 PM

VernS

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Airbag

I worked for an airbag manufacturer for 10 years. I assure you the gas generator is much larger and much more powerful than a shotgun shell. If handled correctly they are not an issue. Static discharge is also a concern.

Oct 21, 2003 | 12:03 AM

Leo_T

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From: eastern Ma

I had a shop manual that warned of a capacitor that could set off the bags up to a half hour after the battery is disconnected. That was on a 91 Lincoln, so I'm not sure if it still applies. I think I'd wait the half hour.