Installing the front passenger airbag

WARNING: Airbag unit.
Danger! Immobilization period-threatening injuries!

Before working on the airbag, disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery.
Airbag unit may only be set down with the cushion (airbag itself) facing upwards.
For additional information see: SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR HANDLING COMPONENTS WITH GAS GENERATORS .

WARNING: Pyrotechnic components.
Danger! Immobilization period-threatening injuries!

All work on pyrotechnic parts may be carried out by technically experienced and appropriately trained personnel only.
Replace any damaged part or ones that have been dropped.
For additional information see: SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR HANDLING COMPONENTS WITH GAS GENERATORS .

NOTE: TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The screw connection of the front passenger airbag to the instrument panel depends on whether the removed parts or new parts are installed. Note the following case distinction.

Variant A (installation of the removed front passenger airbag on a new instrument panel)
Position passenger airbag (2) .

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

Tighten the screws (1) .

A retorque of the screws using the torque wrench is not permitted!
The tightening torque must be applied on at least 11 screws.
The one screw for which the tightening torque cannot be reached must be removed.
If the tightening torque is not reached for more than one screw, the instrument panel must be replaced.

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Variant B (installation of a new front passenger airbag on the removed instrument panel)
The removed front passenger airbag was fastened with 6 screws.
Position passenger airbag (2) .
Fasten the front passenger airbag (2) with screws 12.
Tighten the screws (1) .
A retorque of the screws using the torque wrench is not permitted!
The tightening torque must be applied on at least 11 screws.
If the tightening torque is not reached for more than one screw, the instrument panel must be replaced.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Variant C (installation of a new front passenger airbag on the removed instrument panel)
The removed front passenger airbag was fastened with 11 screws.

Position passenger airbag (2) .

NOTE: TECHNICAL INFORMATION
The marked screw point 3 serves as an example for the unused screw point.

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Do not use the marked screw point (3) when removing the front passenger airbag.
Fasten the front passenger airbag (2) with 11 screws at the same screw points already used.
Tighten down screws (1) .
A retorque of the screws using the torque wrench is not permitted!
Make sure that the tightening torque is reached in all 11 screws.
If the tightening torque is not reached for a screw, the instrument panel must be replaced.
Check

NOTE: TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Although the screws have been tightened correctly with the torque wrench, it may be the case that the screw head does not have gap-free contact. The following procedure applies to all existing cases.
Check if all the screw heads (1) rest without any gaps as shown (using a thin paper strip (2) ).

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Result

» The paper strip (2) slides under the screw head (1) . The screw (1) does not rest without any gaps. The threaded connection is not correct.

Measure
- Release screw (1) and tighten it once again to the same, prescribed tightening torque without retorque.
Increasing the tightening torque in order to seat the screw head in the correct position is not permitted!

Repeating the threaded connection is only permitted once per screw point.

Result

» The paper strip (2) does not slide under the screw head (1) . The screw (1) rests without any gaps. The threaded connection is correct.

Measure
- No action required.
Result

» The paper strip (2) passes under the screw head (1) despite one repeated threaded connection. The screw (1) does not rest without a gap despite one repeated threaded connection. The threaded connection is not correct.

Measure
- Replace the instrument panel.

Follow-up work

Refer to INSTALLING INSTRUMENT PANEL TRIM .
Refer to INSTALLING THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (KOMBI) .
Refer to INSTALLING THE STEERING COLUMN SWITCH CLUSTER (SZL) .
Refer to FITTING STEERING COLUMN SHROUD UPPER SECTION .
Refer to INSTALLING STEERING COLUMN SHROUD LOWER SECTION .
Refer to INSTALLING AIRBAG UNIT OF THE M SPORTS STEERING WHEEL .
Refer to INSTALLING THE LIGHT OPERATING UNIT .
Refer to INSTALLING THE SIDE PANEL ON LEFT DASHBOARD .
Refer to INSTALLING THE SIDE PANEL ON DASHBOARD ON THE RIGHT .
Refer to INSTALLING LEFT AND RIGHT A-PILLAR TRIM PANEL .
Refer to INSTALLING FOLD-OUT COMPARTMENT ON THE LEFT .
Refer to INSTALLING THE DECORATIVE STRIP ON THE DASHBOARD ON THE LEFT .
Refer to INSTALLING RADIO OPERATING UNIT AND AIR CONDITIONING CONTROL PANEL .
Refer to INSTALLING THE DECORATIVE STRIP ON THE RIGHT DASHBOARD .
Refer to INSTALLING THE CENTRAL INFORMATION DISPLAY (CID) .
Refer to INSTALLING DECORATIVE STRIP ON CENTER OF DASHBOARD .
Refer to INSTALLING RIGHT GLOVE COMPARTMENT .
Refer to INSTALLING THE CENTER CONSOLE .
Refer to INSTALLING RIGHT FOOTWELL TRIM .
Refer to INSTALLING THE TRIM PANEL FOR THE PEDAL ASSEMBLY .
Refer to INSTALLING THE FRONT STORAGE COMPARTMENT .
Refer to INSTALLING THE CENTER CONSOLE TRIM .
Refer to INSTALLING THE REAR CENTER CONSOLE TRIM .
Refer to ACTIVATING VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM .