Airbags Our airbags were deployed in an accident and we dont have collision insurance. Is there anyway we can replace the steering wheel without the airbag?

They didn't deploy cause you hit a deer, the airbags sensors need to get a gforce reading to deploy, hitting a deer ksnt enough to do it

To deploy an airbag you have to put the vehicle into high g manouver like a collision. And after that the vehicle is damaged. Why do you want to deploy the airbag? You can remove it as a single unit, but the vehicle airbag warning light will then stay on all the time. Why would you want to remove it?

Generally, the airbag module can be replaced. It is highly recommended that a dealer service dept perform this service! You normally don't have to replace the whole steering wheel or system.

Has this car even been in an accident where the airbags deployed? I had this occur on my Chrysler after an accident, so it may be a feature to insure that you get it repaired properly. In my case the car was totaled, so no repair was made.

The Airbag is held to the steering wheel by screws at the back of the steering wheel, remove them and disconnect the electrical connector to the Airbag. Also whenever an Airbag is deployed the Airbag control module must be replaced, they are a one deployment part and then thrown away.

TO REMOVE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH. FIRST TURN OFF RADIO TO KEEP FROM LOSING CODE. DISARM AIRBAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL BY REMOVING NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE WAIT 20 MINUTES FOR AIRBAG TO DISCHARGE BEFORE REMOVING AIRBAG AND HORN PAD IN STEERING WHEEL.ONCE AIRBAG IN STEERING WHEEL OUT.YOU CAN REMOVE THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH.BECAREFUL REMOVING AIRBAG IN STEERING WHEEL CARRY IT AWAY FROM BODY WITH AIRBAG HORN PAD POINTING UP.IF YOU DROP IT.DONT PUT IN BACK IN STEERING COULD DEPLOY ON INSTALLATION.

In the steering wheel and passenger side dash.Due to the age of the vehicle probably doesn't have the curtain "side" airbags.The airbags were designed primarily for head on collisions. Here is some useful information to why the may have not deployed courtesy of http://www.asashop.org/autoinc/dec2001/collision.htm
How Air Bags Work To have a frontal (driver or passenger) air bag deploy, certain criteria must be met. One of these criteria is that the frontal impact must be within a 60-degree window, occurring within 30 degrees from the vehicle's centerline. Another key element is that the crash forces are equivalent to a head-on collision with an immovable barrier at 10-15 miles per hour. Because a typical automobile accident only lasts about 0.125 (1/8th) of a second, air bags deploy within 15 to 20ms after the initial crash impact. To create a protective cushion between the occupant and the vehicle's interior, the air bag inflates at speeds up to 200 mph within approximately 30ms after impact. This allows the occupant to contact a fully inflated bag within approximately 45 to 50ms after the initial crash impact. Approximately 100ms after impact the bag deflates.

It's unlawful to replace a deployed airbag with one not designed for the vehicle in some states. It's also unlawful to disable the airbag which by virtue of not replacing the airbag after it has been deployed. This car sounds like a headache waiting to happen. One has to wonder what kind of collision the car was involved in to make the previous airbag deploy. At the very least, verify the DMV and car safety laws where you live prior to making the purchase and if you're still intent on buying the car, you should get a CARFAX report first. I do wish you well and the best of luck. Greg

If this was a reportable accident, your insurance company should take care of the air bag and consequencial damages. Bypassing safety devices as such creates greater risk of severe injury because the rest of the vehicle is designed with all systems functional. Ck w/ insurance co.

You need to leave airbag replacement to an authorized shop. There are many sensors that need to be checked or replaced before putting in an airbag. If you skip these steps the airbag could deploy injuring you.