Removing and installing or replacing airbag module on passenger's side

CAUTION: Operations on pyrotechnical devices may only be carried out by authorized experts.
Improper, unauthorized operations may result in serious dangers.
Unauthorized persons are strictly prohibited from performing any operations on this system.

WARNING: Read and comply with SAFETY INFORMATION for handling airbag modules and pyrotechnical belt tensioners.

Incorrect handling can activate airbag and cause injury.

A damaged airbag must be replaced because its protective function is compromised or, in an extreme situation, it can no longer execute its protective function.

Necessary preliminary work:

Remove the INSTRUMENT PANEL .

Removal:

Remove all screws from airbag module (1).

Remove airbag module (2) from dashboard.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Position front passenger airbag (2).

Secure the front passenger airbag (2) with 12 screws.

Tighten down screws (1).

Tightening torque 72 12 01AZ .

Installation note:

Further retorquing of the screws with the torque wrench is not permitted!

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Make sure the tightening torque is reached on all 12 screws (1).

If the tightening torque is not reached on one screw, it is necessary to replace the instrument panel.

NOTE: Although the screws were correctly tightened using the torque wrench, it is possible that the screw head (1) is not seated without a gap. The following procedure applies to all existing cases.

CAUTION: Risk of damage!

Retorquing using the torque wrench is not permitted!

The prescribed tightening torque must not be exceeded!

The following tightening specifications must be adhered to at all times.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Tighten all screws on the airbag module to the prescribed tightening torque without retorquing.
Tightening torque 72 12 01AZ .
Check that for all screws (1), the screw head (1) is seated without any gap, for example, by using a thin paper strip (2) as shown in the illustration:

Paper strip (2) slides under the screw head (1). The screw (1) is not seated without a gap, screw connection is not correctly seated:
Loosen screw (1) and tighten it once again to the same, prescribed tightening torque without retorquing.

Increasing the tightening torque in order to seat the screw head in the correct position is not permitted!

Redoing the screw connection is allowed only once per screw point.

Tightening torque 72 12 01AZ .
Paper strip (2) does not slide under the screw head (1). The screw (1) is seated without a gap, screw connection is correctly seated.
Paper strip (2) fits under the screw head despite redoing the screw connection (1) once. Screw (1) does not lie without gaps despite redoing the screw connection once. Screw connection is not correct. Dashboard trim panel must be replaced.

Required follow-up work:

Install INSTRUMENT PANEL .