Air Bag, Knee Blocker: Description
The driver Knee AirBag (KAB) (1) is located below the steering column on the driver side of the vehicle, at the lower edge of the injection molded, thermoplastic steering column opening cover. It is secured by four screws to a dedicated mounting bracket secured to the instrument panel support structure. The KAB can be readily identified by the SRS AIRBAG text molded into one corner of the steering column opening cover.
Concealed within the stamped steel KAB housing beneath the steering column opening cover are the folded KAB cushion, the inflator and the retainers that secure the inflator to the housing. A molded plastic protective cover is secured over the folded airbag cushion by several hook formations stamped into the airbag housing that are engaged through window openings in tabs integral to the outer perimeter of the cover, locking the cover securely into place over the KAB housing. A mounting flange with two mounting holes extends from each end of the housing to secure the KAB to the mounting bracket, which is secured by a screw to the instrument panel support structure.
The KAB cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed, ineffective, or in any way damaged. Following a KAB deployment, the KAB, the mounting bracket and the steering column opening cover must be replaced.