72 12 040 Removing And Installing/Replacing Left Or Right AHPS1 Head Airbag

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 BMW Alpina and 2007 BMW Alpina. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Observe safety precautions for handling airbag modules and pyrotechnical seat belt tensioners. See 72 00 ... SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR HANDLING COMPONENTS WITH GAS GENERATORS .

Incorrect handling can activate head airbag and cause injury. Follow instructions for disconnecting and connecting battery. See 12 00 ... INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY . Disconnect battery negative lead from battery.

Remove headliner . See 51 44 001 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING HEADLINER (WITHOUT SLIDE/TILT SUNROOF) or 51 44 011 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING HEADLINER (WITH SLIDE/TILT SUNROOF) .

Fig 1: Locating Screws On Holder

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws on holder (2).

Installation:

Tightening torque. See PARTS AND ACCESSORIES - TIGHTENING TORQUES - ALPINA .

Pull holder (2) out of body.

NOTE: Retainers on holder may break off. These retainers serve as an installation aid during series production and are not important for repairs.

Release screws (3).

Installation:

Tightening torque. See PARTS AND ACCESSORIES - TIGHTENING TORQUES - ALPINA .

Remove AHPS1 (1).

Detach felt strip (1) from gas generator.

Installation:

Replace felt strip (1) in event of damage or poor adhesion.

Unlock plug (2) on gas generator of AHPS1 head airbag and detach.

Fig 2: Identifying Felt Strip And Plug

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: To release nut (1), use joint socket 10 A/F, drive 1/4". Insert joint socket from below between gas generator and instrument panel trim and fit on nut (1).

Fig 3: Identifying Instrument Panel Trim Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Nuts may fall out slightly after being released. If necessary, place some butyl in socket.

Release nuts (1 and 2).

Pull gas generator (3) out of mounting.

Fig 4: Identifying Gas Generator And Nuts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Replace self-locking nuts.

Place nut (1) on threaded pin and turn twice.

Insert gas generator into mounting (2).

Fig 5: Identifying Gas Generator Mounting And Nuts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Install gas generator (2) with slotted section of holder below nut (1) on threaded pin.

Turn gas generator (2) in direction of arrow until holder with opening (3) slides over threaded pin.

Screw in second nut partially.

Set a tightening torque of 8 Nm on torque wrench.

Tighten down both nuts.

NOTE: Nut (1) is tightened to a lower torque on account of joint socket.

However, this torque is sufficient to secure the gas generator firmly.

If necessary, prime scratches made on body.

Fig 6: Turning Gas Generator

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: View of retaining screw with anchor fitting of AHPS1 head airbag:

Anchor fitting, AHPS1 head airbag
Lock washer
Retaining screw

Fig 7: Identifying Lock Washer And Retaining Screw
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

WARNING: Observe safety precautions for handling airbag modules and pyrotechnical seat belt tensioners. See 72 00 ... SAFETY REGULATIONS FOR HANDLING COMPONENTS WITH GAS GENERATORS .

Incorrect handling can activate head airbag and cause injury.

Follow instructions for disconnecting and connecting battery. See 12 00 ... INSTRUCTIONS FOR DISCONNECTING AND CONNECTING BATTERY .

Disconnect battery negative lead from battery.

Remove headliner . See 51 44 001 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING HEADLINER (WITHOUT SLIDE/TILT SUNROOF) or 51 44 011 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING HEADLINER (WITH SLIDE/TILT SUNROOF) .

Fig 1: Locating Screws On Holder

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws on holder (2).

Installation:

Tightening torque. See PARTS AND ACCESSORIES - TIGHTENING TORQUES - ALPINA .

Pull holder (2) out of body.

NOTE: Retainers on holder may break off. These retainers serve as an installation aid during series production and are not important for repairs.

Release screws (3).

Installation:

Tightening torque. See PARTS AND ACCESSORIES - TIGHTENING TORQUES - ALPINA .

Remove AHPS1 (1).

Detach felt strip (1) from gas generator.

Installation:

Replace felt strip (1) in event of damage or poor adhesion.

Unlock plug (2) on gas generator of AHPS1 head airbag and detach.

Fig 2: Identifying Felt Strip And Plug

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: To release nut (1), use joint socket 10 A/F, drive 1/4". Insert joint socket from below between gas generator and instrument panel trim and fit on nut (1).

Fig 3: Identifying Instrument Panel Trim Nut

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: Nuts may fall out slightly after being released. If necessary, place some butyl in socket.

Release nuts (1 and 2).

Pull gas generator (3) out of mounting.

Fig 4: Identifying Gas Generator And Nuts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Replace self-locking nuts.

Place nut (1) on threaded pin and turn twice.

Insert gas generator into mounting (2).

Fig 5: Identifying Gas Generator Mounting And Nuts

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation:

Install gas generator (2) with slotted section of holder below nut (1) on threaded pin.

Turn gas generator (2) in direction of arrow until holder with opening (3) slides over threaded pin.

Screw in second nut partially.

Set a tightening torque of 8 Nm on torque wrench.

Tighten down both nuts.

NOTE: Nut (1) is tightened to a lower torque on account of joint socket.

However, this torque is sufficient to secure the gas generator firmly.

If necessary, prime scratches made on body.

Fig 6: Turning Gas Generator

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

NOTE: View of retaining screw with anchor fitting of AHPS1 head airbag:

Anchor fitting, AHPS1 head airbag
Lock washer
Retaining screw

Fig 7: Identifying Lock Washer And Retaining Screw
Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.