greetings all i have a 09 ls I just bought a leather steering wheel from an ltz and im stuck i cant seem to figure out how to remove the airbag from my car to remove the steering wheel ive searched everywhere any help would be greatly appreciated.
steering wheel / airbag removal
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greetings all i have a 09 ls I just bought a leather steering wheel from an ltz and im stuck i cant seem to figure out how to remove the airbag from my car to remove the steering wheel ive searched everywhere any help would be greatly appreciated.
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There are small access holes on either side of the wheel. Take a straight pick, or something small with a blunt end, and push in on the spring inside while pulling outward lightly. You will be able to feel where to push, it isn't very far in. Do that for both side and it comes off, but don't pull it too far off because there is connectors on it to disconnect. Before doing this, for safety reasons, disconnect the negative battery cable and don't leave the key in the ignition.
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Click on the link in this post, on my post you'll find a link for some videos on how to do it. Much easier to see it done, that way there is no confusion. Although the vids are not for a Bu, its pretty much the exact same process.
http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4474
http://www.chevymalibuforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4474
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So you don't need a steering wheel puller anymore?
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Na, took my truck's off just by givin it a quick tug. Can't say the same for a Bu, I don't know.
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I tried to get mine off today after watching the video and I just couldn't get it. I tried for about a half hour and I couldn't get either side to come loose. Anyone got any insight on this? Maybe you now need a special tool? I could feel the allen wrench pushing on something but no matter how hard I pushed, it wouldn't come free. Anyone have a picture of what you have to press on to get it loose?
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It takes some patience. You feel the "tool" hit something and can see one side of the airbag come up (because its been released). You must pull and hold on that gently so that it won't re-fasten, all while poking around the other side trying to get it to release. At first it was a pain for me, now I can do it in about 10 seconds!
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Has anyone ever done this on a newer malibu? I tried again today to get the airbag out and nothing worked, I again spent another half hour trying to get it. When I put the allen wrench in the holes, it hits something but when I push the airbag actually pushes in, never pops out. I tried to push it in and pull out on the airbag but nothing. I understand that those holes have to be to get the airbag out but I just can't figure out exactly how to unhook it. I am just thinking an allen wrench is not the right tool. If anyone has actually done this on a Malibu, please let me know how you did it and if anyone has a picture of what the back of the airbag looks like, that would help too.
I just tried it myself. I used a #0 Phillips screwdriver that is 2 1/2 inches long. I didn't connect with anything that I could tell would release it, but when I started prying around I actually pulled the horn pad in and it honked! A bigger #1 Phillips was too big to enter the hole. I guess it needs to be either longer or inserted at a different angle than what I was doing.
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I'll give it a shot tomorrow. And takes pics if successful.
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Sorry guys, been really hot here in Vegas yesterday and today (104+) so I'm gonna wait till this weather cools a bit in the next couple of days to go out there and mess with the wheel.
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Well, I tried once again today with no luck. You can see in the video that basically you have to push a metal rod in to unclip each side, but even with that in mind, it seems impossible. I don't know, I guess I'm giving up on this until someone can get me a picture of the Malibu setup. ElcompaLalo, I wish you luck on this and thanks for trying.
.....................Actually, looking at the steering wheel on the Ebay link above, it shows the steering wheel without the airbag on, and it is definitely different than the one in the video. Now I'm really stumped. I'm gonna send a message to the seller and see if he can shed some light.
.....................Actually, looking at the steering wheel on the Ebay link above, it shows the steering wheel without the airbag on, and it is definitely different than the one in the video. Now I'm really stumped. I'm gonna send a message to the seller and see if he can shed some light.
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I went out and tried it just now, with no luck either! I'm stumped as well, those "holes" are for the removal of the airbag. At least that I am 100% sure, how to disengage it is what I can't figure it out. Maybe there is a special tool for it?
I checked out the steering wheels on eBay and without a pic of the back side of them its hard to say exactly how they come off. If you receive a response from the seller shedding some light let us know. I gotta know the trick to it now!
I have a little bit of insight for you guys.
Those holes on the side of the wheel are to remove the airbag. The spring clips that hold the air bag in, however, were redesigned for the new malibus. They are tighter than hell to pop out. The best way to get that air bag module out, is to use a 4mm t handle allen wrench. The spring is actually part of the air bag, and its about 2 inches from the hole. Like I said, that spring is hard to relse, but i hope that helps you guys.
Those holes on the side of the wheel are to remove the airbag. The spring clips that hold the air bag in, however, were redesigned for the new malibus. They are tighter than hell to pop out. The best way to get that air bag module out, is to use a 4mm t handle allen wrench. The spring is actually part of the air bag, and its about 2 inches from the hole. Like I said, that spring is hard to relse, but i hope that helps you guys.
Welcome to the site, and thanks for the insight! Whatcha drivin'?
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