Hi, I'm trying to get into the steering wheel to change out the clockspring, but I simply can't get the hang of the spring clips that hold the airbag. I've poked into the holes at the back of the steering wheel but just can't work out how to get it to disengage.
There's a bit of a trick to it, you have to slide/lever the clips off. I am 99% certain that it's the same mechanism on the 9-3 so this video might help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSr878xklYY this one is for the 9-5 but not as clear: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKTvCwRMy6Y there are other videos on youtube though so I'd suggest having a search on there.
I took my airbag out a couple of weeks ago. You need to disconnect the battery for at least a minute, according to the WIS. Then you need muscles! With the battery disconnected and the engine not running, it says turn the steering...
I turned the wheel half a turn one way and released the clip underneath the column. That's easier. If you try the hole on the upside, the instrument panel gets in the way. You also need a screwdriver of the right length. Long enough shaft to reach into the hole, but not so long that it fouls the dashboard / steering column.
You can feel the wire spring with the screwdriver. And then you have to push the spring towards the centre of the wheel while lifting the airbag with your other hand. The spring clip is nothing like as strong as I was expecting, so one hand and a smallish screwdriver was fine. Repeat on the other side.
The electrical connectors need the two clips lifting. Then the connector can be pulled up. It was very tight on mine.
I gave up in the end and took the problem to my local indy. Took him all of 15 minutes to take everything apart put new clockspring in and put it back together. Sometimes it just ain't worth the sweat and blood pressure ,,,