Airbag cover

[chrisanthony]

hi i have a 96 lx

I'm wondering how to take out the passenger side air bag cover for painting? Would I just pry it out? or are there other steps i have to take.

Thanks,

Chris

[mightymoose_22]

I am not sure how the airbag is mounted in that car... but I would bet that prying the cover out is probably not a good idea.

[Davescort97]

The cover has a molded seam which splits when the air bag is inflated. Prying it out will may cause the airbag to not deploy properly when it is needed. The proper way to remove it is to:
1. To deplete the backup power supply disconnect the negative ground cable from the battery and wait one minute.

2. Push in the glove compartment door tabs and position downward.

3. Remove the two hinge to instrument panel screws and remove the glove compartment door.

4. Remove the four passenger side air bag module bolts.

5. Pull the passenger side air bag module out of the instrument panel and disconnect the passenger side air bag module electrical connector.

This is from the Ford Service Manual:

WARNING: THE COVERS OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES MUST NOT BE REPAINTED FOR ANY REASON. ANY APPLIED PAINT CAN DAMAGE THE COVER MATERIAL. THIS COULD AFFECT AIR BAG PERFORMANCE DURING DEPLOYMENT AND CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A COLLISION. Please excuse the caps. The
service manual......

[chrisanthony]

Originally Posted by Davescort97

The cover has a molded seam which splits when the air bag is inflated. Prying it out will may cause the airbag to not deploy properly when it is needed. The proper way to remove it is to:
1. To deplete the backup power supply disconnect the negative ground cable from the battery and wait one minute.

2. Push in the glove compartment door tabs and position downward.

3. Remove the two hinge to instrument panel screws and remove the glove compartment door.

4. Remove the four passenger side air bag module bolts.

5. Pull the passenger side air bag module out of the instrument panel and disconnect the passenger side air bag module electrical connector.

This is from the Ford Service Manual:

WARNING: THE COVERS OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAG MODULES MUST NOT BE REPAINTED FOR ANY REASON. ANY APPLIED PAINT CAN DAMAGE THE COVER MATERIAL. THIS COULD AFFECT AIR BAG PERFORMANCE DURING DEPLOYMENT AND CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY DURING A COLLISION. Please excuse the caps. The
service manual......

Thanks for the explaination. That seems to be alot of work..i'll see if i have time this wkd to take a look under there..