Driver airbag removal/replacement

[aellwein07]

I have a 97 toyota 4runner sr5 and I'm wanting to take off the driver airbag cover since it was deployed before I got it. I'm not wanting to replace it with a new airbag as that costs over $1000 which is half of what I paid for the vehicle. I just want to replace the cover but since they are hard to find without the airbag I am buying a used cover with airbag and I'm just not going to connect the airbag when I replace it. I am looking for step by step instructions on how to do this myself. Thank you for any help you can give or if anyone possibly knows where I can purchase just the cover for it without the airbag included.

 

[aellwein07]

Anyone?

 

[BlackWorksInc]

The covers are not replacable, they are actually the outer layer of the airbag assembly. they're design to split open during deployment and come as an entire assembly; which is why you're not seeing any of them seperate.

As for buying a new airbag unit, if you're going to go through the trouble of getting a new airbag unit; you might as well hook it up and make the airbag light go out and have a working airbag system again.

There is 2 small covers on the side of the steering wheel, pop them off and use a long T30 Torx socket to remove the bolts. They are captive so they won't fall out, but will be loose enough you can remove the unit. Then unplug the connections and install the new unit. Should you decide to connect the airbag so you are protected in an accident, I highly recommend you do so with the battery disconnected to prevent an extremely rare, but entirely possible deployment.