Passenger Airbag Removal
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From: Austin, TX
Passenger Airbag Removal
I've been wanting to do this for awhile in my 01 but haven't gotten around to it. Next week I'm going to do this one way or another. Is there a how-to or anything available to tell me about this? I'm not really a fan of airbags so I want to do this as safely as possible.
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I'm Miserable!
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 489
Total Cats: -6
From: NJ
1. disconnect battery
2. wait 5 minutes
3. Remove glovebox
4. Find bolts holding the airbag in place
5. unclip the harness
6. remove airbag
Do not put your face in front of it, work from the side or underneath at all times.
2. wait 5 minutes
3. Remove glovebox
4. Find bolts holding the airbag in place
5. unclip the harness
6. remove airbag
Do not put your face in front of it, work from the side or underneath at all times.
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Are you wanting to make the dash appear stock?
Here is what I did. Remove the passenger side air bag, unbolt the lid, and then glue the lid back to the dash. It will look bone stock. I removed the driver side as well, but I assume you will have an aftermarket wheel. The passanger air bag is seriously heavy. You can do the same thing to the glove box, remove the outer skin, and bolt the bottom hinge back to the dash. The latch is attached to the skin, and you will still be able to latch it, and when you are finished it will look stock. You can then put components that need adjustment like ecu or my Electromotive under the dash for easy access.
After I removed all of the a/c and heater components, unnecessary wiring, airbags, and glove box; the dash wieghed about 15 lbs or so. It was a lot work, but looks much better than an aluminum dash. All of my gauges still work too.
When I removed the dash to strip it, it was all I could do to muscle it out by myself. When I put it back in, the difference was incredible.
If you have an early year Miata, one of the motor mounts is a heavy cast peice. Replace it with a later year stamped steal one. I cut holes in both of my motor mounts to make them lighter. I will get a pic of it.
Another trick is to get rid of the fancy alternator tensioner, and cut the bracket in half. I will get a pic of that too.
I removed the parking brake, and even cut out the brackets that held the cable under the car. (I wish I had not done that) Get hood pins, and get rid of the cable and brackets under the dash and hood, and get rid of the hood prop. Hood props belong in the tow vehicle with your tools.
If I think of other things I did, I will post them.
Here is what I did. Remove the passenger side air bag, unbolt the lid, and then glue the lid back to the dash. It will look bone stock. I removed the driver side as well, but I assume you will have an aftermarket wheel. The passanger air bag is seriously heavy. You can do the same thing to the glove box, remove the outer skin, and bolt the bottom hinge back to the dash. The latch is attached to the skin, and you will still be able to latch it, and when you are finished it will look stock. You can then put components that need adjustment like ecu or my Electromotive under the dash for easy access.
After I removed all of the a/c and heater components, unnecessary wiring, airbags, and glove box; the dash wieghed about 15 lbs or so. It was a lot work, but looks much better than an aluminum dash. All of my gauges still work too.
When I removed the dash to strip it, it was all I could do to muscle it out by myself. When I put it back in, the difference was incredible.
If you have an early year Miata, one of the motor mounts is a heavy cast peice. Replace it with a later year stamped steal one. I cut holes in both of my motor mounts to make them lighter. I will get a pic of it.
Another trick is to get rid of the fancy alternator tensioner, and cut the bracket in half. I will get a pic of that too.
I removed the parking brake, and even cut out the brackets that held the cable under the car. (I wish I had not done that) Get hood pins, and get rid of the cable and brackets under the dash and hood, and get rid of the hood prop. Hood props belong in the tow vehicle with your tools.
If I think of other things I did, I will post them.
https://www.miataturbo.net/showthrea...t=50385&page=3
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I had an accident and my pass. airbag went off. I"m definitely removing it but what do I do about the cover piece? It's scratched to hell from busting the windshield 
and its bent up. Is that a piece that is easy to find?
and its bent up. Is that a piece that is easy to find?
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Might not be that pricey from Finishline. You should be able to buy just the cover. Or find a junker at a pick and pull. Maybe airbag deployment didn't **** up one there.
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Jay, have you tried to dismantle the airbag yet? I am curious if it is similar to an NA.
It was an easy project on my car. I used silicone to glue the lid back on the dash. It does not take much for it to work, and prevents it from squeezing out around the seam. I just held it in place for a few minutes for it to adhere properly.
Nice factory look, with considerable weight reduction.
It was an easy project on my car. I used silicone to glue the lid back on the dash. It does not take much for it to work, and prevents it from squeezing out around the seam. I just held it in place for a few minutes for it to adhere properly.
Nice factory look, with considerable weight reduction.
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