Removing airbags?

[wildncrazy]

I have an '02 which I am dissembling and using many of the parts in a tube frame project car.

I will be using the dash and steering wheel to make hook ups easier and to finish off the new car. While I can leave the bags in and just not hook up them up I'd rather remove them.

I can see how to remove the airbag module out of the steering wheel and I'm hoping I can just unbolt the air bag itself from the cradle it's on, but I'm nervous about messing with it because of all the horror stories I've read on the internet.

I haven't even begun to take the dash out of the car so I can't see how it's fastened in, but I'd like not to leave a gaping hole in the dash if possible. Is that possible?

I'm removing wiring right now and I see the SRS module. I disconnected the power to the car last night. Is that long enough for it to be safe to mess with the SRS module. I understand it retains power for some time.

[gomarlins3]

I know a really quick way to get them out, but it won't be pretty.

[wildncrazy]

That's what I'm hoping NOT to do!

[repiv]

About 1/2 hour is all you need to have the battery disconnected to make it safe to mess with the airbags. The steering wheel one, looks like you've figured it out. The passenger one, you'll need to remove the passenger knee panel to get to the wiring harness and fasteners. You'll likely break a couple of the snaps when you yank on it. Never fails. The passenger airbag is integrated with the top cover that blends in with the rest of the dash top. You can see it as #1 in the following:

http://www.hondaautomotiveparts.com/auto/jsp/mws/prddisplay.jsp?inputstate=5&catcgry1=S2000&catcgry2=2000&catcgry3=2DR+S2000&catcgry4=KA6MT&catcgry5=INSTRUMENT+PANEL

[wildncrazy]

So removing it is going to leave a hole in the dash? I was thinking the airbag was under the cover.

Dang it! Now what am I going to use to cover up the hole?

I guess a motorized LCD TV would be nice. ;)

[repiv]

The airbag cover has to be integrated into the unit as it must be a break away piece, for which the edges have to be anchored to the airbag. If it weren't, when the airbag goes off, the force could lift the whole dash up or the dash would have to have extra strong anchoring. I suppose you could always see if the cover could be detached and then just stuck into the hole, but then, this makes the airbag unit useless for resale and may weaken it for future use.

[wildncrazy]

I'm not really concerned about the resale value of the airbag, but I am concerned about being able to reuse the dash. I guess I'll have to get creative.

[camoy]

You could see about getting a dash tray that will fit in the hole after you pull out the air bag. I know they make them for civics and such. Though I have never seen one for the S, but I have not looked either since it is not something I am looking to do.