1998 Monte Carlo Airbag cover

jlitwinetz · 09-04-2006, 04:18 PM

The passenger airbag cover has deterioated due to sun and heat and the vinyl has shriveled up. Rather than replacing the whole air bag module which is expensive, I want to remove just the cover, have it recovered and reinstall it.

If anyone knows if this possible, please let me know how.

JL

gw84 · 09-04-2006, 07:26 PM

I test drove a '98 lumina that had that problem. The covering was just lying there. It looked rough. Could you get new bags and a cover from the junkyard? There are several luminas & montes out there to choose from (it should be easy to find). My '99 Lumina dash looks fine. I don't know what the difference was. I'm sure the sun played a big factor (in the '98) but I was wondering if Armor All could've added to the problem. Everyone on here says to avoid it. Any thoughts?

richtazz · 09-05-2006, 12:51 PM

Regretfully, the cover is part of the air bag assembly, and cannot be replaced separately.

Rally Sport · 09-05-2006, 02:42 PM

^Yeah I thought it would be like that. i'd try to find something to cover it.

gw84 · 09-05-2006, 02:58 PM

The bags would be easy to find in a junkyard (cover included). How much work would it be to swap them???

Rally Sport · 09-05-2006, 03:00 PM

Only problem I could see is that airbag popping you in the face while you take if off.. disabling the battery and taking out the fuse for the airbag (If there is one) would be the best route to go.

gw84 · 09-05-2006, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rally Sport

Only problem I could see is that airbag popping you in the face while you take if off.. disabling the battery and taking out the fuse for the airbag (If there is one) would be the best route to go.

That'd sure be hard to explain. "I got hit by an airbag...and I wasn't even in an accident!" Pulling one from the junkyard shouldn't pose too many threats, since the batteries in those vehicles are usually removed before they are put in the yard.

maxwedge · 09-05-2006, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gw84

That'd sure be hard to explain. "I got hit by an airbag...and I wasn't even in an accident!" Pulling one from the junkyard shouldn't pose too many threats, since the batteries in those vehicles are usually removed before they are put in the yard.

FYI, the air bag really does not have a removable battery, there is charge unit that is powered down after about 5 minutes out of the car that cannot be removed, to safely handle these they should be carried/held with the air bag facing away from you, when laid down the airbag should be facing away from the bench.

richtazz · 09-08-2006, 11:57 AM

Anytime you're messing with an airbag, don't point it at your face, keep yourself grounded and avoid creating static electricity. It would take a crazy chain of events (or a stupid person trying to do it) to make one go off accidentally after it is out of the car, but it is possible.

rchjr · 09-10-2006, 08:35 PM

hello air bags have perfurated lines in them from factory if you recover it it my change the way it deploys could be dangerous!!!! your best and safest bet would be to try and locate a used one or is the seface good enough for interior paint if so i would just paint it

gw84 · 09-11-2006, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rchjr

...is the seface good enough for interior paint if so i would just paint it

I don't think paint will fix the problem in JL's case. If the airbag cover looks anything like the one I saw, it would have to be replaced. I guess the sun (or use of armor all) causes them to shrink and shrivel up (deform).
By the way, JL, do you have any pics of your dash (to show rchjr what I'm talking about)

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