Airbag won't come out

[Sethxy]

I've been at it for almost 6 hours with breaks, about to give up installing my aftermarket steering wheel, ive been pushing the horn and pushing in with a screwdriver i can easily popout the left side now but the right side is so difficult i managed to pop it out one time but the bottom one did not come with so i had to push it back in, I feel like i cant feel the spring on the right side at all anywhere. any body have any advice im close to keeping the oem steering wheel.

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[Loco38SUP]

Do yourself a favor and get a pin punch and use that instead of a screwdriver. The punch is better at pushing on the coils of the springs to release the airbag.

I struggled with this too until I went with the punch.

-RJM

 

[FuzzyRev]

The right side is far more difficult because a single pressure point has to unlock two attachments, as opposed to the single lock for the left spring. We've all been there dude, the right side can be an absolute bastard, even when you've done it before and know what's in there.

 

[Evolution]

Use a tire valve stem remover instead of a screwdriver.

 

[MK5_Guevara]

Be careful man, I learned a tough lesson after $800 and a new air bag. I had the same experience and got super frustrated and broke the spring on the right side. Like all are saying take your time and best of luck man, it's doable and it will be worth it after you replace that boring stock wheel.

 

[Timmy_Jones]

Do yourself a favor and get a pin punch and use that instead of a screwdriver. The punch is better at pushing on the coils of the springs to release the airbag.

I struggled with this too until I went with the punch.

I have this cheap kit saved for when I try and do mine...is there a certain size you recommend?

https://www.amazon.com/HORUSDY-Guns...8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

 

[BillyLong42]

I've been at it for almost 6 hours with breaks, about to give up installing my aftermarket steering wheel, ive been pushing the horn and pushing in with a screwdriver i can easily popout the left side now but the right side is so difficult i managed to pop it out one time but the bottom one did not come with so i had to push it back in, I feel like i cant feel the spring on the right side at all anywhere. any body have any advice im close to keeping the oem steering wheel.

Ahh yes, my favorite mod so far. Dont give up!

 

[Scoopra]

Look at pictures of backs airbags and steering wheels. You'll see exactly what you need to feel for, and what angle to go in.

 

[MyCorolla]

Are you holding the airbag down while you work on the second clip? Have you tried releasing the right side first? You don’t need to hold the airbag for the first clip.

I can remove my airbag in less than five minutes, and that is using a small flat screwdriver. You have to make sure the edge of the screwdriver is vertical so it doesn’t slide into the spring.

 

[Vertex]

Also just want to note as I just replaced my paddle shifters and had issues as well. The left side or drivers side release is for the left and bottom clips. If the bottom of the wheel is still clipped in go back to the left side as the right side is only for that top right spring clip release.

I spent nearly 4 hours (2 of which was trying to get the damn airbag out myself) and a couple hours fighting connectors to release. 2nd day when I had 1 connector left to try and get out when I brought some pick tools home it literally came right out by hand on my first attempt. As you'd expect I was pretty peeved

 

[Loco38SUP]

I have this cheap kit saved for when I try and do mine...is there a certain size you recommend?

https://www.amazon.com/HORUSDY-Gunsmithing-Removing-Automotive-Jewelry/dp/B07Z32DKKZ/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=1AIZJ2LJB24EW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.J-7hBWrHVjFRhelUPCz-y-VFOhEvHpKRZJqs20bEMfpKprwxO5I7rCVY4HHXlqsvZ-YKo403pxtPezcJPgTD_0-pNlE-rjYw4Es-8TLI35CwhHYy7TIixUpMJiuCe7vkzMNb9otSKIuWhHjc5MwjGCX1dgrqk4GC1_uGVP6Oodt69pJpZbEbqBqTxYSVdvD2nLh5j7nc8OnE7w5NPsu6VjApx2JM6A3S6bnVqlhjHyT0pZPxfiVzwDayzKFXEFK6xsXSEaJA-ffaxJJNUqN3y71lNgHD2Ff1HfQ8R9G-Mik.s9bsBB2BwQFKmBdf9Z569MUuvBdIbLH_bvMBtc2W0PE&dib_tag=se&keywords=pin+punch&qid=1720793623&sprefix=pin+punch,aps,96&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

The 3/16” should do the trick.

-RJM

 

[Sethxy]

After 8 hours, It is done I've finally changed my steering wheel, Thank you to all for your suggestions and encouragement, I purchased a valve stem removal tool and a pin set, What i found worked best oddly was a torqx 25 screwdriver i had around that i was going to use for the screws inside. The valve stem tool also worked extremely well but in the end the torq screwdriver worked the best for my situation, ranking the tools i'd say
1) Torq Screwdriver
2) Valve stem remover tool
3) pin set
4) Flat head
I ended up marring the airbag pretty badly but at this point i dont care, in the end it was worth it and im going to forget about the 8 hours of trauma i experienced.

 

[Timmy_Jones]

After 8 hours, It is done I've finally changed my steering wheel, Thank you to all for your suggestions and encouragement,

Looks amazing! Well worth it

 

[Loco38SUP]

Nice job not giving up. The end result was well worth it. ?

-RJM

 

[Vertex]

After 8 hours, It is done I've finally changed my steering wheel, Thank you to all for your suggestions and encouragement, I purchased a valve stem removal tool and a pin set, What i found worked best oddly was a torqx 25 screwdriver i had around that i was going to use for the screws inside. The valve stem tool also worked extremely well but in the end the torq screwdriver worked the best for my situation, ranking the tools i'd say
1) Torq Screwdriver
2) Valve stem remover tool
3) pin set
4) Flat head
I ended up marring the airbag pretty badly but at this point i dont care, in the end it was worth it and im going to forget about the 8 hours of trauma i experienced.

Good news is you'll never see it and nobody will ever know since it's hidden if you reused the airbag. I didn't mess mine up quite as bad as yours but it's definitely scuffed up

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