DIY: Driver Airbag Disassembly
08-22-11, 11:36 AM
#1
DIY: Driver Airbag Disassembly
So I purchased a RX300 Airbag to utilize in my GS. However the chrome L symbol had some scratches. It is plastic that is chromed so I decided to take it out to have it refurbished.
Honestly to take apart the airbag is exceedingly simple. It took me under 20 mins for everything and the bulk of that was spent on removing the L.
Here is a DIY with Pictures.
First start off by removing the clip for the airbag connector, It has a tab in the center that you pull up and the connector slides right off.
Then slide the wire out of the loop holding it in.
Then unscrew the 4 nuts on the back that hold the bomb. They are 8mm and do have some thread sealer on them so they do turn a bit hard.
Remove the bomb, it just lifts up.
Remove the the metal piece under the bomb it just lifts up.
Here is what it looks like removed
Now there are tabs holding the silver metal frame the airbag and the front together. In order to remove it you need to pry with your fingers the tabs holding them in apart, There are 2 on each side and 4 at the top.
In order to remove the emblem you need to use cutters in order to trim the back end of the emblem where they melted the plastic rods in order to hold it in. DO NOT CUT THEM FLAT, as it will become harder for you to have a way to hold the emblem in after you get it refurbished.
Here are the specs of the emblem
44MM Width
65MM length
Here it is fully disassembled.
To assemble just reverse the procedure.
Honestly to take apart the airbag is exceedingly simple. It took me under 20 mins for everything and the bulk of that was spent on removing the L.
Here is a DIY with Pictures.
First start off by removing the clip for the airbag connector, It has a tab in the center that you pull up and the connector slides right off.
Then slide the wire out of the loop holding it in.
Then unscrew the 4 nuts on the back that hold the bomb. They are 8mm and do have some thread sealer on them so they do turn a bit hard.
Remove the bomb, it just lifts up.
Remove the the metal piece under the bomb it just lifts up.
Here is what it looks like removed
Now there are tabs holding the silver metal frame the airbag and the front together. In order to remove it you need to pry with your fingers the tabs holding them in apart, There are 2 on each side and 4 at the top.
In order to remove the emblem you need to use cutters in order to trim the back end of the emblem where they melted the plastic rods in order to hold it in. DO NOT CUT THEM FLAT, as it will become harder for you to have a way to hold the emblem in after you get it refurbished.
Here are the specs of the emblem
44MM Width
65MM length
Here it is fully disassembled.
To assemble just reverse the procedure.
09-29-11, 11:01 AM
#6
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Location: GA
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So I purchased a RX300 Airbag to utilize in my GS. However the chrome L symbol had some scratches. It is plastic that is chromed so I decided to take it out to have it refurbished.
Honestly to take apart the airbag is exceedingly simple. It took me under 20 mins for everything and the bulk of that was spent on removing the L.
Here is a DIY with Pictures.
First start off by removing the clip for the airbag connector, It has a tab in the center that you pull up and the connector slides right off.
Then slide the wire out of the loop holding it in.
Then unscrew the 4 nuts on the back that hold the bomb. They are 8mm and do have some thread sealer on them so they do turn a bit hard.
Remove the bomb, it just lifts up.
Remove the the metal piece under the bomb it just lifts up.
Here is what it looks like removed
Now there are tabs holding the silver metal frame the airbag and the front together. In order to remove it you need to pry with your fingers the tabs holding them in apart, There are 2 on each side and 4 at the top.
In order to remove the emblem you need to use cutters in order to trim the back end of the emblem where they melted the plastic rods in order to hold it in. DO NOT CUT THEM FLAT, as it will become harder for you to have a way to hold the emblem in after you get it refurbished.
Here are the specs of the emblem
44MM Width
65MM length
Here it is fully disassembled.
To assemble just reverse the procedure.
Honestly to take apart the airbag is exceedingly simple. It took me under 20 mins for everything and the bulk of that was spent on removing the L.
Here is a DIY with Pictures.
First start off by removing the clip for the airbag connector, It has a tab in the center that you pull up and the connector slides right off.
Then slide the wire out of the loop holding it in.
Then unscrew the 4 nuts on the back that hold the bomb. They are 8mm and do have some thread sealer on them so they do turn a bit hard.
Remove the bomb, it just lifts up.
Remove the the metal piece under the bomb it just lifts up.
Here is what it looks like removed
Now there are tabs holding the silver metal frame the airbag and the front together. In order to remove it you need to pry with your fingers the tabs holding them in apart, There are 2 on each side and 4 at the top.
In order to remove the emblem you need to use cutters in order to trim the back end of the emblem where they melted the plastic rods in order to hold it in. DO NOT CUT THEM FLAT, as it will become harder for you to have a way to hold the emblem in after you get it refurbished.
Here are the specs of the emblem
44MM Width
65MM length
Here it is fully disassembled.
To assemble just reverse the procedure.
09-29-11, 01:56 PM
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2011
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65mm x 44mm emblem
sorry, couldn't figure out how to edit my last post to add this.... All the emblems I have found online are 65mm x 49mm, not 65mm x 44mm, so they're too big.... My Lexus parts guys said that the emblem size SHOULD be the same size for 99-2003 RX300's, so don't know what year yours is since everyone is selling emblems for the 99-2003 models that measure 49mm tall/high instead of the 44mm that yours is......Maybe yours is special.... lol
*and now the 'edit' button appears on the bottom of my last post!!!!!! I swear it was NOT there before.....lol
*and now the 'edit' button appears on the bottom of my last post!!!!!! I swear it was NOT there before.....lol
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09-29-11, 10:09 PM
#10
sorry, couldn't figure out how to edit my last post to add this.... All the emblems I have found online are 65mm x 49mm, not 65mm x 44mm, so they're too big.... My Lexus parts guys said that the emblem size SHOULD be the same size for 99-2003 RX300's, so don't know what year yours is since everyone is selling emblems for the 99-2003 models that measure 49mm tall/high instead of the 44mm that yours is......Maybe yours is special.... lol
*and now the 'edit' button appears on the bottom of my last post!!!!!! I swear it was NOT there before.....lol
*and now the 'edit' button appears on the bottom of my last post!!!!!! I swear it was NOT there before.....lol
10-12-11, 03:13 PM
#11
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Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: GA
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location of airbag/steering wheel/emblem combo
I replied to your PM but will post it here as well. The bag according to the seller was a 2001 RX300. So I have no idea where you're lexus parts guy is getting the measurements from as they do not actually sell it separately from all of the parts diagrams that I could locate. Where are you finding them online?
LKQ Auto Parts AUTOMOTIX
904 I-45 South
Hutchins Tx. 75141
http://www.automotix.net/partlocator.html
Last edited by GoldPiano; 10-12-11 at 03:17 PM.
10-12-11, 05:26 PM
#12
I am buying the entire airbag assembly ($280 just for the darned emblem! lol) from:
LKQ Auto Parts AUTOMOTIX
904 I-45 South
Hutchins Tx. 75141
http://www.automotix.net/partlocator.html
LKQ Auto Parts AUTOMOTIX
904 I-45 South
Hutchins Tx. 75141
http://www.automotix.net/partlocator.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/2ge...arts-cars.html
10-12-11, 06:29 PM
#13
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you got ripped off. CL Vendor is selling one for $200.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/2ge...arts-cars.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/2ge...arts-cars.html
Last edited by GoldPiano; 10-12-11 at 06:35 PM.
10-12-11, 07:52 PM
#14
Great write up Spyder78.
I hate to pop your bubble but it is actually possible to take out the emblem without even taking the air bag off the steering wheel.
You do have the be extremely careful though. You just need small flat head screwdriver and slowly pop out each peg one at a time. But patience is the key, you need to do it slowly not to cause too much flex where it might crack. If you feel too much tension start front a different end. But ya it can be done
I hate to pop your bubble but it is actually possible to take out the emblem without even taking the air bag off the steering wheel.
You do have the be extremely careful though. You just need small flat head screwdriver and slowly pop out each peg one at a time. But patience is the key, you need to do it slowly not to cause too much flex where it might crack. If you feel too much tension start front a different end. But ya it can be done
10-12-11, 08:10 PM
#15
Great write up Spyder78.
I hate to pop your bubble but it is actually possible to take out the emblem without even taking the air bag off the steering wheel.
You do have the be extremely careful though. You just need small flat head screwdriver and slowly pop out each peg one at a time. But patience is the key, you need to do it slowly not to cause too much flex where it might crack. If you feel too much tension start front a different end. But ya it can be done
I hate to pop your bubble but it is actually possible to take out the emblem without even taking the air bag off the steering wheel.
You do have the be extremely careful though. You just need small flat head screwdriver and slowly pop out each peg one at a time. But patience is the key, you need to do it slowly not to cause too much flex where it might crack. If you feel too much tension start front a different end. But ya it can be done