Created on: 2016-07-18
How to remove and install a defective airbag on 1998 Toyota Camry
Socket Extensions
Flat Blade Screwdriver
Phillips Head Screwdriver
T30 Bit
10mm Socket
Ratchet
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In this video, we're going to show you how to remove and reinstall the driver's side airbag in this 1998 Toyota Camry. The items you will need for this repair are a T30 Torx bit, ratchet and extension, a 10 millimeter wrench, as well as Phillips and flat head screwdrivers.
Using a 10 millimeter wrench, loosen the negative terminal on your battery. Remove and isolate the terminal. After disconnecting the battery, allow the vehicle to sit for at least 30 minutes. This ensures that all of the power is drained out of the capacitors and modules and allows you to work on your airbag safely.
Remove the Phillips head screw from the bottom of the clam shell on the steering column. Turn your ignition key to run. Turn the wheel 90 degrees to the right. Remove this Phillips head screw. Rotate the wheel in the opposite direction and remove this Phillips head screw. Using a small flat blade screwdriver, separate the upper and lower steering column covers. Lift up and remove the upper portion of the clam shell. Pop out the panel around the tilt column lever.
You need to remove the front with a flat blade screwdriver. Tilt the column up and remove the lower portion of the clam shell. On the back side of the steering wheel is a small round cover; Pry that out with a flat blade screwdriver or a non-marring prying tool. Inside, there is a T30 torque screw. Using the T30 torque socket and extension and a ratchet, loosen the screw. These are usually a captured screw which means you can loosen it fully without it coming out of the steering wheel. Check as you loosen it. Eventually, you will feel that the airbag is free of the bolt.
Using the small flat blade screwdriver or a non-marring pry tool, remove the cover from the driver's side of the airbag. This will reveal another T30 Torx screw. Remove that with a T30 Torx socket and a ratchet. Again, this is a captured-style bolt, meaning that even though it has been loosened completely, it may not come out. Keep spinning it until you can remove the airbag. You can never be too safe when working on an airbag. Even though I usually wear rubber gloves, be sure to touch some metal surfaces and remove any static charge that may be on your body before removing the connector for the airbag.
Remove the airbag from the steering wheel. Carefully pry up on the clip with a small flat blade screwdriver. Release the safety for the electrical connector, and remove it from the steering wheel.
Staying clear of the airbag, reconnect the electrical connector. Lock the safety back into place. Lay the bag back into the wheel. Tighten the two T30 screws on either side of the airbag with a T30 Torx bit and a ratchet. After tightening each screw, reinstall the plastic covers on the back of the steering wheel. Place the upper portion of your steering column cover back on. You may have to drop the tilt steering wheel down to make this easier. Tilt the column up, and install the lower portion of the cover.
Reinstall the cover on the tilt portion. Install the Phillips head screw at the bottom of the column. Insert your key. Turn it to run so that you can rotate the wheel 90 degrees. Tighten the Phillips head screw with a screwdriver. Rotate the wheel 180 degrees in the opposite direction, and install the last screw. Straighten the wheel. Turn your key off.
Reconnect the battery.
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