what would I have to do to remove the airbags and airbag controller on a 2005 Odyssey? please don't post about legality or safety issues, just the procedure. any info would help, thanks.

Because this IS unsafe, would a mechanic not be allowed to do this for you? Just curious, because if I wanted to do this (for whatever reason a person would want to do this), I wouldn't have the technical know-how to do it myself. Would a mechanic legally be allowed to do this, does anybody know?

My big concern would be insurance. I know that for height reasons that airbags can be removed, so I would think any mechanic could do it.

actually this raises a good question. and here is the answer. If you remove your air bags from your vehicle and you get into an accident your insurance company will not pay out. In fact most insurance companies have taken legal action against people who have done this. Not to mention if a person aides you in removing the air bags from the vehicle, and you are in a accident he can be charged with manslaughter. At least in the state where I am anyway. Air bags are there for one reason, to save your life. Anyone who would want to remove them should just sell the vehicle and get a car without airbags.

Do they actually still make cars without airbags?

no they do not make cars without airbags (besides maybe some 3rd world countries) and yes i believe it is against the law and it will more than likely void your insurance.

and can i ask why would you want to do this? unless your planning on crashing on purpose... they will not deploy if your bumper gets hit only when the car rapidly accelerates or decelerates... it uses a G-meter i think

This post has been edited by Joey455: Dec 21 2007, 03:55 PM

I did not know that about the insurance but I do have a friend that works at a garage and they are not allowed to remove the airbags from any cars. I don't know if that is because it would be againest the law for them to do or if it is just the policy of the place he works?

I see the reasoning that removing airbags would void insurance because the rates are probably calculated based on the cars having them.

But I didn't realize that it would be against the law. There are definitely plenty of older cars without them.

I'd expect that this varies regionally like the seat belt laws do... or Did?

I take no responsiblity for your personal injury if you do this wrong... Good luck.

1. With the car running turn you steering wheel so that the button controls on the wheel are at 12 o'clock and 6 o'clock.

2. Turn off the car.

3. Remove the Air Bag fuse #8 from under the back seat, and disconnect the negative battery terminal. Let the car sit for at least 15 minutes (this is what I was told!)

4. Using a flat bladed screw driver insert and twist about 90* while pulling out on one corner that corner of the airbag. See picture below. You will do this on all 4 corners. This is the view from the rear of the steering wheel.

5. Remove all electrical connectors on the back of the airbag and your two steering wheel control buttons. there are a total of 6 connections to be removed. Back of air bag is pictured below, sorry I forgot to get a shot of the back sides of the buttons.

6. If you only need to replace your steering wheel control buttons you will see two Torx screws on the back side of each control, unscrew and replace the unit and you are done! (after you reconnect everything).

7. To continue on with removing the steering wheel reach for your 21mm socket, and remove the nut.

8. Using a steering wheel puller that has "hooks" at the ends, follow the instructions with your kit to remove the steering wheel (i have no pictures of this installed, since it was quite the ordeal for me...I didn't have a puller with the "Hooks" instead of bolts...get the right one, it'll make your life a hell of a lot easier.

9. Once the wheel is off and you go to re-install, make sure you have it lined up correctly. The steering wheel nut is tightened to 35 foot lbs.

Well you gave him what he wanted the instructions for removing airbags. I have two airbags in my Ford Freestar Van. One is the steering wheel, and the other is on the passenger side above the glovebox. We don't have any side airbags at all. I keep the girls riding in the back away from the airbags.