Tools Required

J 44298 Driver Air Bag Removal Tool

Caution: When you are carrying an undeployed inflator module:

•	Do not carry the inflator module by the wires or connector on the inflator module

•	Make sure the bag opening points away from you

When you are storing an undeployed inflator module, make sure the bag opening points away from the surface on which the inflator module rests. When you are storing a steering column, do not rest the column with the bag opening facing down and the column vertical. Provide free space for the air bag to expand in case of an accidental deployment. Otherwise, personal injury may result.
1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to Disabling the SIR System .
2. On back side of the steering wheel are 4 openings for removing the driver inflator module.
3. Position the steering wheel so that 2 of the openings are on top.




Important: Seat J 44298 all the way into the holes in order to perform properly.

4. Adjust and install J 44298 into 2 of the holes.
5. Push the handle back towards the I/P, releasing the 2 spring loaded fasteners at the same time.
6. Turn the steering wheel and open J 44298 . Use one of the tool fingers in order to remove the cruise control lever cover.
7. Position J 44298 in place around the cruise control lever and repeat the same procedure for the other 2 holes.
8. Pull the driver inflator module gently away from the steering wheel.




Important: Note the driver inflator wire routing positions, the redundant control routing positions, and the horn wire routing positions for the correct assembly.

9. Remove the connector position assurance (CPA) (4) and the electrical connector from the driver inflator module.
10. Remove the horn grounded lead (2) from the threaded hole in the steering wheel.
11. Rotate the horn contact lead counterclockwise ¼ turn.
12. Remove the horn contact lead (2) from the steering column cam tower.
13. Remove the inflatable restraint steering wheel module (5).
14. Fully deploy the module before disposal. If the module was replaced under warranty, fully deploy and dispose of the module after the required retention period. Refer to Inflator Module Handling and Scrapping .

1. Connect the horn ground lead (2) into the lower left threaded hole in the steering wheel.
2. Connect the horn contact lead into the steering column cam tower.
3. Rotate the horn contact turn ¼ turn clockwise to lock.
4. Connect the inflator module electrical connector and CPA (4).

Important: Route the driver inflator wires, the redundant control wires, and the horn wires correctly.

5. Align the driver inflator module fasteners to the steering column fastener holes.
6. Push the driver inflator module firmly into the steering column in order to engage the fasteners.
7. Enable the SIR system. Refer to Enabling the SIR System .