Xantia airbag removal help!!!

admiral51 · Unread post by **admiral51** » 23 Mar 2008, 18:13

Hi all
have just attempted to remove the steering wheel airbag to enable me to replace the steering shroud but have come well and truly stuck

A previous owner has at some stage had the airbag off as the screw covers have been opened up all well so far

removed first screw with no problems but second one has had the head rounded off and i cant get the B£$^*&^D out

any ideas guys?

colin

MikeT · Unread post by **MikeT** » 23 Mar 2008, 19:16

Usually I'd say impact driver....

ken newbold · Unread post by **ken newbold** » 23 Mar 2008, 19:21

MikeT wrote:Usually I'd say impact driver....

maybe not.

Only thing I can suggest would be an Allen key. I've just had one of these off and yes they are tight. You should be OK provided you've disconnected the battery and wait 10 mins or so.

Also it may be worth noting that these screws are put in at an angle, not straight.

admiral51 · Unread post by **admiral51** » 23 Mar 2008, 21:13

thanks ken
have had the battery disconected for about an hour before i started playing at removal (footy was on

)
have tried 3 or 4 similar sized torx bits but cant get it to grip. none of the allen keys will budge it either.
thinking that maybe it was put back in with an allen key if head already shot and tightening has stripped it even more

would like to get it off but not sure what next to try.would tapping into it be an option or am i likely to end up deploying the airbag??
can live with the problem for the time being but have noticed that the whole switch assembly (wipers and indicators) rocks on the housing cant see whats loose until i get steering wheel off

any comments welcome...

Colin

ken newbold · Unread post by **ken newbold** » 23 Mar 2008, 21:34

The switch/indicator assembly thing is held on by 4 (i think) screws behind the wheel and maybe even the airbag rotary switch.

If you have one screw out already, could you not use this as a size guide and grind a flat screwdriver or similar down to a size that would be a very nice tight fit into the head and try again?

admiral51 · Unread post by **admiral51** » 23 Mar 2008, 23:05

ken newbold wrote:
If you have one screw out already, could you not use this as a size guide and grind a flat screwdriver or similar down to a size that would be a very nice tight fit into the head and try again?

thanks for that Ken that never even entered my head

need to get a grip on these alternatives remedies

Colin

reblack68 · Unread post by **reblack68** » 23 Mar 2008, 23:08

When I have trouble with the last screw on something I apply as much pressure to the screwdriver as I can without slipping and wiggle the whole assembly while trying to turn the screw.

The airbag shouldn't deploy without an electrical signal so tapping should be safe enough- the steering column gets quite a lot of shock loads in service anyway. Keep the windows open, try not to get charged with static and maybe wear ear protection, just in case.

AndersDK · Unread post by **AndersDK** » 23 Mar 2008, 23:16

Even safer :

When the minus clamp is removed from battery, then allow it to stay shortcircuited to the plus clamp, using any wire etc. That will POSITIVELY remove any remaining small charges from capacitors in radios, computers etc, ensuring you are safe working on these explosives.

There is no risc using an impact screwdriver then.

admiral51 · Unread post by **admiral51** » 24 Mar 2008, 12:39

have decided to put things back together and leave the screw for a while

the main reason being she needs the car tomorrow and if i got it out i would need a new one to go back in and that is going to be impossible on a bank holiday

will update if and when it finally comes out

Colin

dnsey · Unread post by **dnsey** » 24 Mar 2008, 20:46

With larger fastners, the usual trick is to weld a 'good' bolt to the damaged one. Now I don't know if it would work, but you could try using a good quality epoxy to do a similar job.