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+--- Thread: Replace steering wheel airbag (/showthread.php?tid=2566)

Replace steering wheel airbag - newredgtc - 9:th-Jun-2016

Hi all.

Currently in the process of rebadging my GTC to Opel blitz from the griffin.

The steering wheel I found out however is not just a case of replacing the plastic badge, but the airbag.  Dealer want around £500 for a new one.

Was gonna just not bother (or get a sticker!), but then I found this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Opel-Astra-J-Hatchback-Saloon-Driver-Airbag-manufactured-2010-2015-/281786040876?fits=Car+Make%3AOpel%7CModel%3AAstra+J&hash=item419bc1c22c:g:sJEAAOSwHnFV4Zmv

Is that the right bit?  And if it is, is it just a sub one hour job for the dealer to do?

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - tucpal - 9:th-Jun-2016

I would do it yourself or get a local garage to do it
save £££ on dealer labour costs
looks like the correct part but best to send them your reg or ask first just to be safe
you could look for used but you will have to look in europe ebay

RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - newredgtc - 10:th-Jun-2016

thanks for reply.

I'm not against a bit of DIY - my only concern is with this particular job and the airbag exploding in my face.  Plus I want the peace of mind of knowing the airbag is fitted properly.  Good idea on another garage though - will make some enquiries.  Bound to be cheaper than the dealer.

RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - Rusty2009 - 10:th-Jun-2016

Looks like the right part to me.

Have a look at my thread and it will guide you through doing the job yourself.

https://www.vxoc.org.uk/forum/Thread-How-to-Remove-Airbag-Steering-Wheel-Buttons

RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - newredgtc - 11:th-Jun-2016

Thanks Rusty.

Actually I'd seen your guide and it was that that scared me off a bit!

But I've just had another careful look and actually, if i've understood it right, being as i'm just removing the airbag and not the whole wheel or buttons, all I have to do is the turning the wheel upside down bit, the two holes in the back, pull the airbag away, and disconnect one wire - is that correct?

One other thing - there won't be any electronic issues will there - computer sensing that an airbag has been tampered with or something like that?

Thanks again.

Replace steering wheel airbag - Rusty2009 - 11:th-Jun-2016

No there shouldn't be any problems atall.

Just pull the negative off the battery and let the systems discharge before hand.


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RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - tucpal - 11:th-Jun-2016

Its a 5 to 10min job real easy as said above just disconnect the battery negative

RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - tommyboy1289 - 11:th-Jun-2016

(10:th-Jun-2016, 01:30:41)newredgtc Wrote: my only concern is with this particular job and the airbag exploding in my face. 

I deal with accident damage cars, I've had the odd airbag go off, I can assure you it is not a nice experience at all.

RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - sheppy1 - 11:th-Jun-2016

Well.. I've had the airbag portion out and even broke a clip that connects the cable to the air bag and all was fine with me... I never had the front cover with the badge off though

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RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - newredgtc - 12:th-Jun-2016

(11:th-Jun-2016, 21:06:12)tommyboy1289 Wrote:
(10:th-Jun-2016, 01:30:41)newredgtc Wrote: my only concern is with this particular job and the airbag exploding in my face. 

I deal with accident damage cars, I've had the odd airbag go off, I can assure you it is not a nice experience at all.



i was just all nice and confident and reassured by the other comments, then you come along and make me scared again! lol

lol in all seriousness thanks for the warning though. I've just bought the part now, so I'm gonna give it a good go and just take my time and be careful. I might wear a motorcycle helmet as I do it ;-)

RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - sheppy1 - 12:th-Jun-2016

(12:th-Jun-2016, 12:46:15)newredgtc Wrote:
(11:th-Jun-2016, 21:06:12)tommyboy1289 Wrote:
(10:th-Jun-2016, 01:30:41)newredgtc Wrote: my only concern is with this particular job and the airbag exploding in my face. 

I deal with accident damage cars, I've had the odd airbag go off, I can assure you it is not a nice experience at all.



i was just all nice and confident and reassured by the other comments, then you come along and make me scared again! lol

lol in all seriousness thanks for the warning though. I've just bought the part now, so I'm gonna give it a good go and just take my time and be careful. I might wear a motorcycle helmet as I do it ;-)
Neighbours will think you've lost the plot haha

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - tucpal - 12:th-Jun-2016

HAHA just remember to follow the instructions

RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - bhalay207 - 12:th-Jun-2016

I've removed my airbag a handful of times on the Astra and many times before on previous cars and not once have I had one go off. Take the negative battery off and leave it for 15 or so mins for the car to discharge and then get it removed. You'll be fine!

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RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - tommyboy1289 - 12:th-Jun-2016

(12:th-Jun-2016, 12:46:15)newredgtc Wrote:
(11:th-Jun-2016, 21:06:12)tommyboy1289 Wrote:
(10:th-Jun-2016, 01:30:41)newredgtc Wrote: my only concern is with this particular job and the airbag exploding in my face. 

I deal with accident damage cars, I've had the odd airbag go off, I can assure you it is not a nice experience at all.



i was just all nice and confident and reassured by the other comments, then you come along and make me scared again! lol

lol in all seriousness thanks for the warning though.  I've just bought the part now, so I'm gonna give it a good go and just take my time and be careful.  I might wear a motorcycle helmet as I do it ;-)


You've no need to worry if you follow all the instructions, look in the general chat area of the forum you'll see a couple of photos of stuff I pick up, they've usually gone off if it's front end damage and I ram it onto my lorry (when driveable), not very often with modern cars but older ones are more prone to it

RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - sheppy1 - 12:th-Jun-2016

(12:th-Jun-2016, 16:43:46)tommyboy1289 Wrote:
(12:th-Jun-2016, 12:46:15)newredgtc Wrote:
(11:th-Jun-2016, 21:06:12)tommyboy1289 Wrote:
(10:th-Jun-2016, 01:30:41)newredgtc Wrote: my only concern is with this particular job and the airbag exploding in my face. 

I deal with accident damage cars, I've had the odd airbag go off, I can assure you it is not a nice experience at all.



i was just all nice and confident and reassured by the other comments, then you come along and make me scared again! lol

lol in all seriousness thanks for the warning though.  I've just bought the part now, so I'm gonna give it a good go and just take my time and be careful.  I might wear a motorcycle helmet as I do it ;-)


You've no need to worry if you follow all the instructions, look in the general chat area of the forum you'll see a couple of photos of stuff I pick up, they've usually gone off if it's front end damage and I ram it onto my lorry (when driveable), not very often with modern cars but older ones are more prone to it
So do you literally find written off cars left at the side of the road and take them?! Ha

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - newredgtc - 17:th-Jun-2016

reporting back in!

I did it! Lost heart after about 20 minutes of trying to slide the metal bars across - the one side just wouldn't come loose no matter how hard i pushed - my fingers and thumbs are killing me now and i bent two screwdrivers!

Anyway I kind of got the knack of it in the end and once it was off, whole job was complete by about two mins later. Computer did ask me to wind down and then back up my windows which i guess is normal but apart from that, everything's perfect!

Only a simple job in the grand scheme of things I know, but pretty chuffed I did it myself lol

I like the improved look!

https://goo.gl/photos/HHmW5N3CVpacMoDv5

RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - tommyboy1289 - 17:th-Jun-2016

(12:th-Jun-2016, 17:27:52)sheppy1 Wrote:
(12:th-Jun-2016, 16:43:46)tommyboy1289 Wrote:
(12:th-Jun-2016, 12:46:15)newredgtc Wrote:
(11:th-Jun-2016, 21:06:12)tommyboy1289 Wrote:
(10:th-Jun-2016, 01:30:41)newredgtc Wrote: my only concern is with this particular job and the airbag exploding in my face. 

I deal with accident damage cars, I've had the odd airbag go off, I can assure you it is not a nice experience at all.



i was just all nice and confident and reassured by the other comments, then you come along and make me scared again! lol

lol in all seriousness thanks for the warning though.  I've just bought the part now, so I'm gonna give it a good go and just take my time and be careful.  I might wear a motorcycle helmet as I do it ;-)


You've no need to worry if you follow all the instructions, look in the general chat area of the forum you'll see a couple of photos of stuff I pick up, they've usually gone off if it's front end damage and I ram it onto my lorry (when driveable), not very often with modern cars but older ones are more prone to it
So do you literally find written off cars left at the side of the road and take them?! Ha

Sent from my EVA-L09 using Tapatalk

Haha some are at the side of the road, alot at recovery garages/car bodyshops, unless i can see it's mullered i'll always try to drive it on, beats trying to get my lorry in and using the winch, had one bmw, front wheel smashed completely off, doors on one side and the roof cut off, still started and drove it onto my lorry, thank god for RWD

Replace steering wheel airbag - Rusty2009 - 17:th-Jun-2016

The window thing is just to reset the auto open close setting.

Quickest way to reset it is just to hold each switch up rather than taking them all down and then all up.


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RE: Replace steering wheel airbag - tucpal - 18:th-Jun-2016

WELL DONE