I've decided to take on the task of refinishing all the wood in my car. I can easily (enough) remove all of the wood trim except the airbag. Can anyone direct me on the best way to do that? Also, how difficult would it be to remove the steering wheel to refinish the wood on it?

 

By wood trim, I gather you mean the trim on the passenger side front air bag? If so, I can't help. The steeing wheel is easy enough though. Disconnect the battery and leave it for a few minutes to discharge the system, this is debated but generally advised.


Then turn the steering wheel fully one quarter turn, left or right, so the airbag centre setion is vertical and reaching behind it at the bottom, you will feel a recessed screw fitting, torx head if memory serves me right. Turn the wheel the opposite way to access the other screw. There are only two.


Once removed, the airbag section will come away with no effort. Withdraw it enough to unplug/disconnect the airbag wiring and the horn. Lay the airbag section down, safely out of harms way. Slacken, but don't remove the large bolt on the centre of the steering column. The wheel can often stick tight on the splined shaft, so a stiff thump from behind will help to dislodge it. Keeping the bolt in place save you a whack in the face if the wheel comes adrift too easily!


Now remove the bolt and if you like, mark the position of the wheel on the splined shaft, just for alignment when refitting.


Pull the wheel off and the job's done. Refitting is a reversal of the above, but check for alignment with the wheel at straight ahead, before refitting everything.


Hope this helps and others will no doubt advise regarding the wood trim.

 

If you set off the airbag, the veneer panel will fly forward and then break the windscreen. The tether straps direct the panel up to strike the windscreen. You will need to do more work to it that way but it will come off!!!!

You can just pry it off with some wood or plastic 'prybars'.
The veneer panel is tethered to the dash with some straps. They can be removed from the panel or you can remove the airbag assy to gain access to the other end of the tether straps.

The panel is just a press fit into some 'peg-type' fasteners.

bob gauff

 

So, I should be OK to carefully pry the veneer off? I already managed to with the small driver's side air vent. I assume it's the same. Any suggestions to use when/if I break some of those small plastic pegs?

 

I know this is a very old thread but I have a rattle around the airbag trim and found this YouTube video very helpful

 

Keep careful track of the many small bolt sizes and there positions on the glove compartment removal ( draw yourself a map ) as you will need the patients left for the final installation panel gaps adjustments