General Airbag teared off - steering wheel

[NLBravo]

I just discovered that my airbag on my steering wheel teared off (see images).

Anyone knows if this is dangerous?
And do I need to replace with a new one?

Thanks in advance.

 

[g8rpi]

One possible issue is moisture getting into the bag assembly and affecting it's deployment. The bags are normally packed with a dusting of powdered chalk to reduce friction as it unfolds. Damp is very likely to affect this and the airba may not work correctly. I think you need a new airbag :-( How old is the car? You may have a claim for a manufacturing defect even if it's out of warranty.

 

[NLBravo]

The Bravo is from January 2010.

 

[rossocorsa]

That is probably one of the moulded in weak spots on the cover that are designed to split open when the bag deploys, the bag comes out of the middle with the cover opening out around it. I can't think that it is dangerous although as the previous poster said maybe it could lead to contamination of the bag itself(??)

 

[NLBravo]

If airbag is still okay inside, will this be a easy solution to replace myself?

Found this on ebay:

 

[rossocorsa]

If it is the same as a Lancia delta airbag in construction this is not difficult, disconnect the battery and leave for about 30 mins then release the airbag by pushing the spring bars through the side trim of the wheel hub ( you will see round makers on the trim which indicate where to push in the tool, you need to fish around a little to find the sprung bars. I found an Allen key to be better than a screwdriver). Disconnect the complete bag and Lift this out. You can then undo the nuts holding the assembly together which will allow you remove the back cover/central 'bomb' which is loose simply centred by a plastic protrusion on the back cover and to slide the front cover off ( this hooks around the assembly when the back cover is removed you can simply push the sides out a little, for which you need three long flat objects to slide down each side so that you can keep all three sides released at the same time!) Then pull the cover off. Be careful as you need to keep the airbag folded as manufactured (otherwise it will not deploy correctly) so do not do this roughly or fast. Assembly reverse of the above, simple but a bit scary!

Some pics here http://www.chryslerforum.co.uk/topic/390-my-new-bella/page-11

Apologies if description isn't too good it is easier to do than explain in writing!