How to remove the wheel airbag from a 2009 Chevrolet Express Van
Hello people! This guide is for removing the wheel airbag from a 2009 Express van! The reason for this repair would be you blew yours up!
Tools you will need:
- A small thin flathead screwdriver
- X-ray Vision (Optional)
Removal
Step 1:
The first step would be disconnecting the battery completely and waiting about 10 minutes before working on the SRS system. In my case, this vehicle has basically been stripped so there is no power at all.
Step 2:
Locate the two holes on the side of the steering wheel. These holes allow you to remove the wheel airbag. It is held in by two spring clips. Stick your tiny flathead into the holes and push straight. You are feeling for a rod that you can push. It is straight into that hole.
In the photo above you can see the clip you are pressing against. That hole has two plastic guides on either side. Despite that, it is still difficult to line up the screwdriver to push that pin into the center on the steering wheel.
Upon applying pressure, the pin moves out of the way and you can gently pull one side of the airbag forward. You have to do one side at a time, and it's not a bad idea to place some kind of pry tool behind the airbag just to prevent it from snapping back into place. Repeat the process on the other side.
As you can see in the image, that spike has a notch in it that the pin sits in to keep the airbag in place. Upon pushing that pin, the spike is able to be pulled from the steering wheel.
Step 3:
Remove the SRS connector. There is an opague locking tab not pictured, it pulls out first and then you can press the two tabs on both sides and pull the plug out of the airbag.
Congrats! You did it! Hopefully your plugs didn't melt, but sometimes that happens. Happy Wrenching!
