pullin hard

can anyone tell me how to remove the steering wheel air bag with out damaging it?

rockcrawler304

Why do you need to remove it?

I would make sure both batteries are completely disconnected.

bob4x4

REMOVAL
The following procedure is for replacement of a faulty or damaged driver airbag. If the airbag is faulty or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for handling non-deployed supplemental restraints. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - HANDLING NON-DEPLOYED SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINTS). If the driver airbag has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for service after a supplemental restraint deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS - STANDARD PROCEDURE - SERVICE AFTER A SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT DEPLOYMENT).

WARNING: ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG, PASSENGER AIRBAG, SEAT BELT TENSIONER, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.

WARNING: WHEN REMOVING A DEPLOYED AIRBAG, RUBBER GLOVES, EYE PROTECTION, AND A LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT SHOULD BE WORN. THERE MAY BE DEPOSITS ON THE AIRBAG CUSHION AND OTHER INTERIOR SURFACES. IN LARGE DOSES, THESE DEPOSITS MAY CAUSE IRRITATION TO THE SKIN AND EYES.

Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
From the underside of the steering wheel, remove the two screws that secure the two trim covers or speed control switches to each side of the driver airbag trim cover.
From the top of the steering wheel, remove the two trim covers or speed control switches from the pockets on each side of the driver airbag trim cover to access the driver airbag mounting screws.
Remove the two screws that secure the driver airbag to the steering wheel armature (Driver Airbag Remove/Install).
Pull the driver airbag away from the steering wheel far enough to access the two electrical connections at the back of the airbag housing.
Disconnect the steering wheel wire harness horn switch feed take out connector from the horn switch feed pigtail wire connector insulator located on the back of the driver airbag housing.
CAUTION: Do not pull on the clockspring pigtail wires or pry on the connector insulator to disengage the connector from the driver airbag inflator connector receptacle. Improper removal of these pigtail wires and their connector insulators can result in damage to the airbag circuits or connector insulators.

The clockspring driver airbag pigtail wire connector is secured by integral latches to the airbag inflator connector receptacle, which is located on the back of the driver airbag housing. Depress the latches on each side of the connector insulator and pull the insulator straight out from the airbag inflator to disconnect it from the connector receptacle.
Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel.
If the driver airbag has been deployed, the clockspring must be replaced. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/CLOCKSPRING - REMOVAL).

pullin hard

thank you so much, that helps me out big time.
i need a new wheel, the air bag is good, but the steering wheel it self is garbage. i guess the person who owned this truck for the year before me, liked to spill diesel on their hands and it has wrecked the wheel part. no matter how much i try to clean the grime off, its sticky to the touch, and it keeps coming through the pleather wrap. its just gross.