Removal

Fig 1: LOCATIONS OF DRIVER AIRBAG RETAINING HOOKS

Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.

Open hood.
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
WARNING: Wait two minutes for the system reserve capacitor to discharge before servicing any airbag components.
From the rear of the steering wheel, locate the three access holes (1) to the driver airbag retaining hooks.

Fig 2: RELEASING LOOPS FROM DRIVER AIRBAG HOOK
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
Using a small flat blade screwdriver or equivalent, insert the tip into either one of the top two access holes. Making sure that the blade is behind the Driver Airbag loop, twist the screwdriver either way enough to release the loop from the hook. At the same time, gently pull on the driver airbag trim cover to pull the loop from the hook once released.

Fig 3: UPPER DRIVER AIRBAG LOOP
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
Repeat step 4. on the other top access hole and loop.

Fig 4: CENTER BOTTOM LOOP DRIVER AIRBAG
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
The bottom loop can be twisted off, but is used mainly to line up the other two for assembly. It is identifiable by the conical shape of the loop. This must be at the bottom of the steering wheel upon assembly.

Fig 5: Wiring Connectors To Driver Airbag And Speed Control
Courtesy of DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORP.
Once released, disconnect the two airbag squibs (2), the one speed control connector (4 and 5), and remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel (1).

WARNING: When replacing a deployed driver airbag, THE CLOCKSPRING MUST BE REPLACED (Refer to STEERING/COLUMN/STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE - REMOVAL) .