Disassembly and Assembly

DISASSEMBLY

WARNING:
- ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG, PASSENGER AIRBAG, FRONT IMPACT SENSOR, SIDE IMPACT SENSOR, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
- THE HORN SWITCH IS INTEGRAL TO THE DRIVER AIRBAG UNIT. SERVICE OF THIS UNIT SHOULD BE PERFORMED ONLY BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER-TRAINED AND AUTHORIZED DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIANS. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS OR TO FOLLOW THE PROPER PROCEDURES COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL, INCOMPLETE, OR IMPROPER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT INJURIES.

1. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
2. Remove the driver airbag from the steering wheel. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRANTS/ DRIVER AIRBAG - REMOVAL).

Fig.20 Driver Airbag Trim Cover Retainer Nuts Remove/Install:

3. Remove the four nuts that secure the upper and lower trim cover retainers to the studs on the back of the driver airbag housing.

Fig.21 Driver Airbag Trim Cover Retainers:

4. Remove the upper and lower trim cover retainers from the airbag housing studs.
5. Disengage the horn switch feed pigtail wire connector retainer from the mounting hole in the upper trim cover retainer.
6. Remove the horn switch ground pigtail wire eyelet terminal from the upper right airbag housing stud.

Fig.22 Driver Airbag Trim Cover Remove/Install:

7. Disengage the four trim cover locking blocks from the lip around the outside edge of the driver airbag housing and remove the housing from the cover.

ASSEMBLY

WARNING:
- ON VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AIRBAGS, DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY STEERING WHEEL, STEERING COLUMN, DRIVER AIRBAG, PASSENGER AIRBAG, FRONT IMPACT SENSOR, SIDE IMPACT SENSOR, SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG, OR INSTRUMENT PANEL COMPONENT DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. DISCONNECT AND ISOLATE THE BATTERY NEGATIVE (GROUND) CABLE, THEN WAIT TWO MINUTES FOR THE SYSTEM CAPACITOR TO DISCHARGE BEFORE PERFORMING FURTHER DIAGNOSIS OR SERVICE. THIS IS THE ONLY SURE WAY TO DISABLE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE PERSONAL INJURY.
- THE HORN SWITCH IS INTEGRAL TO THE DRIVER AIRBAG UNIT. SERVICE OF THIS UNIT SHOULD BE PERFORMED ONLY BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER-TRAINED AND AUTHORIZED DEALER SERVICE TECHNICIANS. FAILURE TO TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS OR TO FOLLOW THE PROPER PROCEDURES COULD RESULT IN ACCIDENTAL, INCOMPLETE, OR IMPROPER AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT AND POSSIBLE OCCUPANT INJURIES.
- USE EXTREME CARE TO PREVENT ANY FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM ENTERING THE DRIVER AIRBAG, OR BECOMING ENTRAPPED BETWEEN THE DRIVER AIRBAG CUSHION AND THE DRIVER AIRBAG TRIM COVER. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.
- THE DRIVER AIRBAG TRIM COVER MUST NEVER BE PAINTED. REPLACEMENT TRIM COVERS ARE SERVICED IN THE ORIGINAL COLORS. PAINT MAY CHANGE THE WAY IN WHICH THE MATERIAL OF THE TRIM COVER RESPONDS TO AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. FAILURE TO OBSERVE THIS WARNING COULD RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURIES UPON AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.

NOTE: If the horn switch and tray have been removed from the sewn pouch in the airbag cushion retaining strap, be certain that they are properly reinstalled with the horn switch feed and ground pigtail wires properly oriented before assembling the trim cover onto the airbag housing. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/HORN/HORN SWITCH - INSTALLATION).

1. Carefully position the driver airbag in the trim cover. Be certain that the horn switch feed and ground pigtail wires are not pinched between the air- bag housing and the trim cover locking blocks.

Driver Side Airbag Trim Cover Locking Blocks Engaged:

2. Engage the upper and lower trim cover locking blocks with the lip of the driver airbag housing, then engage the locking blocks on each side of the trim cover with the lip of the housing. Be certain that each of the locking blocks is fully engaged on the lip of the airbag housing.
3. Reinstall the horn switch ground pigtail wire eyelet terminal over the right upper airbag housing stud.
4. Reinstall the upper and lower airbag trim cover retainers over the airbag housing studs. Be certain that the tabs on each retainer are engaged in the retainer slots of the upper and lower trim cover locking blocks.
5. Install and tighten the nuts that secure the trim cover retainers to the airbag housing studs. Tighten the nuts to 6.8 Nm (60 in. lbs.).
6. Engage the horn switch feed pigtail wire connector retainer in the mounting hole in the upper trim cover retainer.
7. Reinstall the driver airbag onto the steering wheel. (Refer to ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/ DRIVER AIRBAG - INSTALLATION).