Steering Wheel Audio Controls...?

[revolution]

Hi,

So I found all the part numbers for the Steering Wheel Audio Controls that will allow me to add it to my Vitz RS, but I'm stuck on a little issue...

I can order the Silver Trim pieces, Buttons and Spiral, thats easy. And i can get the smaller Steering Wheel Airbag cover as well. But my only concern is what to do about the Airbag? Will i move the Airbag over from the old steering wheel cover? If so, how do i do that? I don't want it going Poof! on me whilst im installing...

Any help very much appreciated!!!!

[CTScott]

Hi,

So I found all the part numbers for the Steering Wheel Audio Controls that will allow me to add it to my Vitz RS, but I'm stuck on a little issue...

I can order the Silver Trim pieces, Buttons and Spiral, thats easy. And i can get the smaller Steering Wheel Airbag cover as well. But my only concern is what to do about the Airbag? Will i move the Airbag over from the old steering wheel cover? If so, how do i do that? I don't want it going Poof! on me whilst im installing...

Any help very much appreciated!!!!

The airbag assembly is riveted to the cover with some very heavy duty rivets. You would need to drill those out to change covers.

[CTScott]

To answer your PM questions in a bit more detail, here are some pictures of how the airbag assembly and cover are constructed:

The airbag assembly removed from the steering wheel (note that the popped squib has been removed in this picture):
38335

A replacement cover:
38336

The rivets that need to be removed to separate the airbag frame from the cover:
38337

The back side of the removed airbag frame:
38338

The front side of the removed airbag frame:
38339

The back side of the removed airbag frame with the popped squib:
38340

The front side of the removed airbag frame with the popped squib:
38341

The back of the popped squib:
38342

The front of the popped squib:
38343


Hopefully those give you a better idea of what you are dealing with. I drilled the rivets on this popped one, but would be hesitant to do so on a live one. The rivets are large, hard, and generate a lot of heat while being drilled. If I were going to swap the cover on a live one, I think I would:

1. Cut the plastic cover around the four rivets.
2. Pry the frame out of the cover (it has a lip that fits into a channel in the plastic, so you have to pry it loose once the rivets are free).
3. Unbolt the squib from the frame (there are four nuts that hold the squib assembly to the airbag frame).
4. With the airbag squib removed, drill the rivets out of the frame.
5. Bolt the airbag squib back to the frame.
6. insert the airbag assembly into the new cover.
7. Rivet or bolt the airbag assembly to the new cover.

[ricepower]

:thumbup: cool tips :laughabove::thumbsup: