Air Bag, Knee Blocker: Removal: Removal
To avoid serious or fatal injury on vehicles equipped with airbags, disable the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) before attempting any steering wheel, steering column, airbag, seat belt tensioner, impact sensor or instrument panel component diagnosis or service. Disconnect and isolate the battery negative (ground) cable, then wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before performing further diagnosis or service. This is the only sure way to disable the SRS. Failure to take the proper precautions could result in accidental airbag deployment.
To avoid serious or fatal injury when removing a deployed airbag, rubber gloves, eye protection, and a long-sleeved shirt should be worn. There may be deposits on the airbag cushion and other interior surfaces. In large doses, these deposits may cause irritation to the skin and eyes.
The following procedure is for replacement of an ineffective or damaged knee blocker airbag (also known as Knee AirBag/KAB or Inflatable Knee Blocker/IKB). If the airbag is ineffective or damaged, but not deployed, review the recommended procedures for Handling Non-Deployed Supplemental Restraints. Refer to STANDARD PROCEDURE . If the knee blocker airbag has been deployed, review the recommended procedures for Service After A Supplemental Restraint Deployment before removing the airbag from the vehicle. .
- Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable. Wait two minutes for the system capacitor to discharge before further service.
- Remove the two screws that secure the knee blocker airbag trim cover to the instrument panel support structure.
- Reach up under and behind the knee blocker airbag housing and instrument panel support structure to access and remove the two nuts that secure the outer studs of the airbag housing to the instrument panel. It is not necessary to remove the smaller nut from the center stud. This nut secures the airbag cushion retainer and inflator within the airbag housing. If it is removed inadvertently, it is a smaller flanged nut than those on the outer studs allowing it to pass through the center hole of the instrument panel support structure without interference.
- Using a trim stick or another suitable wide flat-bladed tool, gently pry the upper and lower edges of the knee blocker airbag trim cover away from the instrument panel steering column opening cover far enough to disengage the integral latch features on the back of the trim cover from the opening.
- Pull the knee blocker airbag rearward far enough to access and disconnect the instrument panel wire harness connector from the airbag inflator initiator connector receptacle on the right end of the airbag housing. Depress the latches on each side of the connector insulator and pull the insulator straight out from the airbag inflator initiator to disconnect it from the connector receptacle.
- Remove the knee blocker airbag from the vehicle.
- If the knee blocker airbag has been deployed, the instrument panel assembly must also be replaced. Refer to PANEL, INSTRUMENT, REMOVAL .