Air Bag, Knee Blocker: Description: Description
The injection molded, thermoplastic steering column opening cover (2) is the most visible part of the Knee AirBag (KAB) (also known as the Inflatable Knee Blocker/IKB). The KAB is located below the steering column on the driver side of the vehicle. It is secured along with the steering column opening cover by two screws to the instrument panel support structure. The KAB can be readily identified by the SRS AIRBAG text molded into one upper corner of the steering column opening cover.
Concealed beneath the steering column opening cover are the folded KAB cushion, the airbag housing (1), the bag inflator and the retainers that secure the inflator to the housing. The airbag cushion, a stamped steel housing, and an inflator initiator (3) are secured within an integral receptacle molded into the back of the steering column opening cover. The upper and lower vertical walls of this receptacle have numerous small windows that are engaged by numerous hook formations on the upper and lower edges of the KAB housing. Each hook is inserted through one of the windows, locking the KAB housing securely into place on the steering column opening cover. Two mounting brackets with weld nuts (4) extending from the lower edge of the housing are used to secure the KAB to the instrument panel support structure. The studs and nuts on the lower edge of the housing secure the airbag cushion retainer and inflator within the housing.
In certain export markets a KAB Delete option may be available. Vehicles with this option have a unique steering column opening cover with a large, rectangular foam block and a molded housing instead of the KAB. These components act as a static knee blocker. Also, vehicles with the KAB Delete option do not have the SRS AIRBAG text molded into the steering column opening cover.
The KAB cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective, or in any way damaged. The steering column opening cover may be disassembled from the KAB unit, and is available for individual service replacement. Following a KAB deployment, the KAB and the steering column opening cover must be replaced.