On most automobiles, the driver's side airbag is located in the center of the steering wheel. This means that you must first remove the airbag to perform any procedure that involves removing the steering wheel or working on the steering column. Though the specific mounting methods vary among manufacturers and models, the removal procedure is basically the same.
Disconnect both the negative and positive battery cables. Disconnect the negative cable first. Wait at least five minutes for the residual electricity in the system to dissipate before you begin working on the airbag.
Examine the back and bottom of the steering wheel. You should see some type of small cover. You can pry some of these covers off with a small flat screwdriver, while others have screws that you must first remove. Open the cover.
Pull out the wires inside the compartment that connect the airbag to the vehicle's wiring harness. Connectors vary among manufacturers, but generally has plastic tabs on each side. Lift the tabs and pull the two ends of the connectors apart.
Find the airbag mounting bolts. There is almost always one on each side of the steering column. Check for covered ports or small, circular bolt covers on the sides of the steering column, near the steering wheel. Open the cover to expose the bolts. Remove the bolts. If you cannot locate any bolts, you will likely have to remove the steering column covers. These are usually held in place by several screws along each side.
Remove the airbag assembly and store it face-down to prevent accidental injury.
