Impala Air Bag Removal

You can remove the air bag from a Chevrolet Impala in about a half hour, allowing you the ability to repair it. A number of Impala owners have made complaints about the car's air bag light coming on or staying on during the vehicle operation (see References section). To minimize any possible problems, many Impala owners have chosen to remove and replace the air bag in their vehicle. You can remove the air bag yourself, saving you time and money.

Things You'll Need

  • Open-end wrench
  • Phillips screwdriver
  • Star socket wrench
  • Unfasten Chevrolet Impala's negative battery cable from the battery post with an open-end wrench. Allow the vehicle to sit with the battery cable disconnected for about 30 minutes to let the air bag discharge.

  • Locate the steering column cover on the bottom of the steering column, and use a Phillips screwdriver to remove the screws holding the cover in place. Remove the cover from under the steering column, and set it aside.

  • Locate the orange plastic connector inside the steering column, and pull the connector apart by hand. Disconnect the plastic connector that runs to the steering column from the metal post by hand.

  • Remove the star-head screws on the back of the steering wheel with a star socket wrench. Lift the steering wheel assembly off the front of the steering wheel just enough to see the electrical connectors attached to the back of the steering wheel assembly.

  • Disconnect the plastic wiring connector from the back of the steering wheel assembly by hand. Remove the steering wheel assembly with the air bag off the Chevrolet Impala steering wheel, and set it out of the way.