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VW Polo Airbag removal

  • 05-12-2012 6:41pm
    #1
    dr.fuzzenstein
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,620 ✭✭✭✭


    Right, I've been trying to remove the airbag from a '02 1.4 petrol VW Polo Classic 4 door saloon.
    I have looked at threads dealing with the subject, youtube videos and a friend had a go who is a car mechanic and a big VW fan.
    We have consulted the workshop manual and spent hours at it, it looks like the only option is brute force and I might have to destroy the steering wheel and/or airbag to get it out.
    The method of inserting flat screwdrivers into the back of the steering wheel and levering them outwards to remove the airbag doesn't work.
    Does anyone have any last ditch attempts, tricks or shortcuts before I go at the steering wheel with a large crowbar?


Comments

  • #2
    sean1141
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,088 ✭✭✭sean1141


    The screw driver method is tricky enough to work. I know I tried it a lot of times before it worked for me. I found pulling at the sides of the Airbag helped


  • #3
    dr.fuzzenstein
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,620 ✭✭✭✭dr.fuzzenstein


    sean1141 wrote: »
    The screw driver method is tricky enough to work. I know I tried it a lot of times before it worked for me. I found pulling at the sides of the Airbag helped

    Just before I wrote this, I was down at the car, one screwdriver inserted into hole at the back, another inserted under the airbag.
    As I was applying pressure to the screwdriver under the airbag, I tried levering the other one. I have tried different lengths, thickness, levering them in or out, sideways, twist them, stab them into the hole, tried inserting them 1 cm at the time an repeat all the above.
    Nothing. As far as I can see, it's not possible to remove the airbag without destroying it.


  • #4
    sean1141
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,088 ✭✭✭sean1141


    Are you catching the clip with the end of the screwdriver?


  • #5
    dr.fuzzenstein
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,620 ✭✭✭✭dr.fuzzenstein


    sean1141 wrote: »
    Are you catching the clip with the end of the screwdriver?

    It's hard to tell, since I can't picture what I'm doing. Bit like keyhole surgery without seeing what you're doing.:D
    I can tell that I'm catching some sort of metal spring-like object that moves when I press on it lightly, but it doesn't seem to do anything.
    If I had a good quality picture of what the springs look like and which way I should press them, it would be a great help, off to google image search, though previous searches have not brought anything useful up.


  • #6
    dr.fuzzenstein
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,620 ✭✭✭✭dr.fuzzenstein


    I think this might be useful, anyone know if this is right, or hogwash:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0jZHRy3t1c


    Looks like I have to make some cuts into the back of the steering wheel to see what I'm doing.


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  • #7
    sean1141
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,088 ✭✭✭sean1141


    Yup that's about it.. you need to get the screwdriver at the right side of the clip. That's what I was getting at


  • #8
    dr.fuzzenstein
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,620 ✭✭✭✭dr.fuzzenstein


    sean1141 wrote: »
    Yup that's about it.. you need to get the screwdriver at the right side of the clip. That's what I was getting at

    Either there was some damage, something out of place or my Polo differs in design from all others. That is possible, my drivers side mirror does not correspond to any model Polo on the books from 96 to 06.
    Anyways, cut two small holes, could not see the spring, but two metal clasps that moved easily out of the way, but airbag did not move.
    In the end, crowbar and a few mighty heaves, airbag went flying.
    No conical pips that a spring could hook into, but hooks that hooked into I don't know what.
    Pics tomorrow maybe.
    Airbag out, but fcuked (was fcuked anyway, airbag light on), but it's the only way I could get to the wiper control arm, which seems to have a short, which in turn causes my wipers to run non-stop.
    After that I only have to address the holey exhaust and she's ready for NCT/Sale.


  • #9
    kildarelad
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 236 ✭✭kildarelad


    i have an airbag and squib if you need one


  • #10
    dr.fuzzenstein
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 16,620 ✭✭✭✭dr.fuzzenstein


    kildarelad wrote: »
    i have an airbag and squib if you need one

    Airbag seems to be OK so far (I hope), the problem could have been with the clockspring, found an open circuit there, but should I need one, I would definitely get back to you via PM.
    So far I will need a clockspring and a wiper linkage assembly.
    Sorry to be ignorant, but what's an airbag squib?

    edit:
    The squib might be what I need if Google image search is correct.


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