Does anyone know how to remove the driver airbag in a 2005 MINI Cooper S?



Also, how about the the tiptronic shifters in a 2005 MCSa?


Thanks!

 

Is anyone else going to ask why but me?

 

Well, I would recommened you leave the airbags alone. They are dangerous to mess with, but if you must, you can disconnect the battery and wait a few minutes for any stored energy to discipate. Then a manual would be your best friend. I've never removed a MINI's airbags, so I couldn't tell you where to begin. And are you trying to turn your MINI into a track car, or do you just feel safer without airbags?

 

See posts #34 and #35 in this thread. Also Gabe has a description on MotoringFile in his review of the JCW steering wheel.

 

ive removed airbags from steering wheels in the past on different
cars when i swapped them out with MOMO steering wheels.

basically i unplugged the battery, waited about 5min and pressed
on the brake pedal to discharge the circuit before proceeding with
the surgery.

airbags are explosives so don't drop them or anything
while handling.

work at your own risk.

 

Thanks for the replies.


I am not intending to turn my MINI into any track car or anything, I am just trying to finish up painting my interior. The trim around the airbag happens to be one of the only pieces left that needs to be painted. Ugg...it sounds like it is not worth the risk. I wonder if it is removable without messing with the airbag??


Also, does anyone know how to get the three silver pieces off that are on the steering wheel? There are screws on the back of the steering wheel, but I removed them and the pieces still don't want to come out.

 

Heh, I just posted a thread this afternoon for exactly the same reason. I'd love to get those three silver trim pieces painted.
If it's not easy/practical to remove them, how about creating some stick on pieces to cover them? I was thinking that some thin metal pieces cut to shape would look pretty good. I even have templates ready to go..

 

My brother used vinyl on his steering wheel in his Cavalier. Worked fine. You just need to find a vinyl that closely resembles the color you are using. A good vinyl shop will be able to match the color.

 

It is only the idea of removing an airbag that is intimidating. In practice, it is quite simple -- 2 spring wire clips hold the airbag in place. The painting or vinyl application part of the job will take far more time and skill.

 

So as long as I handle it correctly (obviously, making sure to drop it) after I take it off, I should be ok, right?

 

You should be okay after the airbag no longer has an electric signal to trigger it. The first step is to disconnect the car battery and let it sit for 15 minutes for any charges to drain. Then uninstall the airbag and disconnect, while handling carefully. The risk should be no more than an airbag going off spontaneously for no reason while driving or parked. Again, I think it is the idea of working around an airbag that is more intimidating than the reality.

 

When I disconnect the battery, do I disconnect the positve or negative? Thanks for all your help!

 

Disconnect the negative. This is the usual procedure to disconnect power before working on electrical.