Seeking Darwin award - Airbag delete....

Sam 69 Gulf · 05-03-2007, 12:36 PM

OK, this may draw some flack – removing an airbag….

My 90 964 wheel is shedding it’s skin and I am looking to replace. I have always had older cars and have an affinity for the Momo race style wheels or alike

Will removing the airbag cause all kinds of lights to come on?

Does anyone have any pictures of the ‘older’ style wheel in the ‘newer’ car….?

Thanks
Sam

Moses · 05-03-2007, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Sam 85 Carrera
Will removing the airbag cause all kinds of lights to come on?

Sam

It might.

Tyson Schmidt · 05-03-2007, 01:45 PM

Yes, you need to install a resistor in place of the airbag. This will also keep the passenger side airbag working.

Disconnect the battery before doing anything. If you happen to turn the key on with the airbag disco'd, the light will never go out until you have ot cleared with a Bosch Hammer or PST2 tester.

I remember it being a 1/4W 2.9 ohm resistor. You can plug it in at the connector at the base of the steering column. You can do away with the clock-spring behind the steering wheel.

You will have no horn though. But you can install a button on the dash in it's place.

tcar · 05-03-2007, 03:08 PM

DUMB

Zeke · 05-03-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tcar
DUMB

Maybe, but he could upgrade his belts to something that will replace what the air bag is supposed to do. I say supposed. I have often wondered, why do we not get two over the shoulder belts from the factory on all cars? Retractable, auto tensioning, guided through the seats; all that stuff. I'd much rather have the restraint than have the bag pop in my face possibly breaking my arm. Furthermore, the airbag works only for the first hit and it probably will render you silly. Certainly you can do nothing to steer yourself if you are still moving while the thing is deployed and then deflating.

Or, another idea: Since many cars come with side air bags (and I think this is a good thing for T-bone type of collisions), and the passenger bag is in the dash, why can't the driver be protected by bags located elsewhere other than the wheel? It certainly depends on the car, but I'd like to have the wheel to brace myself and use if at all possible.

Disclaimer: I've never even been in a car when the bag(s) went off. I'm going more by hearsay.

randywebb · 05-03-2007, 04:05 PM

Air bags do not add a huge amount of safety over belts.

That's just the statistics -- over all accident types.

Now, you may very well have a problem if (when) you sell the car. It cannot be legally sold in some states.

Worse, if the buyer is injured and they can find out that you removed the airbag on purpose, you might be in huge trouble.

That's 'if'...

aigel · aigel's Garage

Of course there is scenarios where the air bag may do more harm than good. But just like safety belts, on average, you are better off with an air bag than without. You have to go with statistics and can not look at single events to make a decision.

Only time I have seen air bags removed is on track cars that have other safety equipment installed where the air bag is not necessary any more.

IMHO you should just go with a good used air bag wheel. The later 996 / boxster 3 spoke wheels fit, if I remember right. A lot of 993 folks upgrade to those. That said, the remainders from cosmetic upgrades to 3 spoke wheels can be had really cheap. $200 including air bag is not uncommon here locally for a 964 or 993 4 spoke.

Cheers, George

the · 04:29 PM

I always thought the airbags, at least the early ones, were a "passive restraint" system devised mainly to protect people who were not wearing seatbelts.

If you are properly wearing a seatbelt, I can't see one of the early airbags doing much. They aren't very big.

Joeaksa · 05-03-2007, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by randywebb
Air bags do not add a huge amount of safety over belts.

That's just the statistics -- over all accident types.

Now, you may very well have a problem if (when) you sell the car. It cannot be legally sold in some states.

Worse, if the buyer is injured and they can find out that you removed the airbag on purpose, you might be in huge trouble.

That's 'if'...

Airbags are for idiots who do not wear their seatbelts in the first place.

Remember when Princess Diana was killed? Only person in the car who lived was the bodyguard, who had his belt on. The airbag is good for the first impact but worthless after that. They hit several times... a belt would have saved them.

As Randy and Milt say, a good set of belts are far better than an airbag. The two together are nice but a belt will hold you in all the time, not just the first impact.

GaryR · GaryR's Garage

Why not get one of the 930 style wheels with an airbag in it if your worried about it? Much better than stock, retains safety, very nice looking..

Sam 69 Gulf · 05-03-2007, 06:24 PM

I didn't know they did one but will check into it.

Sam

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

just don't let your wife ride in the car in the first place. Then removal isn't an issue...

Oliver Klosov · 05-03-2007, 07:21 PM

I believe you may be more susceptible to alien abductions. But it has never been proven. Then again, who is opposed to a free vacation?

EarlySport · 05-03-2007, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tcar
DUMB

With a comment like that I'm surprised you drive a Porsche and not a Volvo tcar... :-)

aigel · aigel's Garage

Not sure where you guys pick up the fatalistic stance reflected in much of this thread? Have any of you been seriously injured before? If you don't care, do you have family - dependants? It's amazing how much misinformed and opinionated BS you guys spill about airbags in this thread. Please read this:

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/airbag.htm

Of course we all want to be machos - who needs any of that sissy safety stuff. Especially if you are up against 6000 pound SUVs in you 911?

George

Jeff Alton · 05-03-2007, 09:34 PM

I am not a fan of airbags in "certain" types of collisions, especially the early generation ones. However, if I get a hard hit in the front, I think I will be glad their was a bag there....

Also, I believe they are not "passive" restraint, but rather supplemental restraint. I don't think a bag does you much good in a big front end hit if you do not have your belt on. But then, if you are not smart enought to wear a seat belt......

Cheers

island911 · 05-03-2007, 09:41 PM

airbags were designed to Replace belts. They were mandated (bags or those auto-placing belts -either way, a occupant passive restraint.)

Ya want them if you wreck w/o wearng belts.

Jeff Alton · 05-03-2007, 09:49 PM

Why do they call them "SRS" as in supplemental restraint system?

island911 · 05-03-2007, 09:50 PM

to add; Sam, I would do the same.

To those "safety first" guys; do you know that (for safety) you are not to handle an airbagged wheel above the midline? . .never to cross arms in front of... Just shuffle the wheel with your hands in your lap? --it's the safe, proper way to drive. (in't that great?

)

But hey, at least the airbag, in an accident, will help break your thumbs. (if your gripping too hard, bracing for whats coming.)

Jeff Alton · 05-03-2007, 09:52 PM

These fellows think they do not replace a seatbelt.

http://www.raa.net/page.asp?TerID=299

I agree with Island, sort of, in some collisions you will get an injury from the bag that would not have occured in a bagless car. However, in a big hit I would not mind an airbag at all.....

Also, I think it was Stirling Moss who was a "shuffle steerer" but I could be wrong, but it was some famous driver from his era... I don't drive that way, but some did succesfully.

Cheers