Table of contents: Steering wheel without air cushion ↓ Steering wheel with airbag unit ↓
The steering wheel of AUDI 80 cars can be equipped with an airbag unit. Such a steering wheel has an enlarged cover. Under which is a folded airbag. It is a bag filled with gas at the moment of a collision. The gas is formed as a result of combustion of a solid charge, which is located in a metal case and is ignited by the airbag control unit when colliding with an obstacle at a speed of at least 18 km/h (see illustration 14.0). The airbag control unit is located in the center console. When the airbag is deployed, it is filled with nitrogen for 50 milliseconds. The airbag is an effective means of protection only in combination with seat belts.
When performing work related to the airbag, it is necessary to adhere to and implement a number of safety precautions. The main ones are:
1. Disconnect the battery and the negative (-) cable.
2. Disconnect the power plug under the steering column cover.
3. Do not leave the removed airbag unit unattended.
4. Place the removed airbag unit so that the impact-receiving surface of the airbag faces upward.
5. Disconnect the battery when performing welding work on the vehicle.
6. Replace all airbag components if your vehicle has been in an accident.
The disposal of a vehicle equipped with an airbag is carried out according to special rules.
Steering wheel without air cushion
Removal
7. Remove the horn cover from the retaining fingers by pulling it upwards. Be careful, there are plastic hooks on the left and right sides of the cover (see illustration 14.9).
8. Set the steering wheel to the "Lock" position.
9. Loosen the nut securing the steering wheel to the steering column using a 24 mm socket wrench (see illustration).
10. Install the steering wheel so that its spokes are symmetrical and the wheels are straight.
11. Remove the nut and washer.
Installation
When installing the steering wheel, ensure that the spokes are positioned symmetrically.
12. Set the steering wheel lock to the "Lock" position.
13. Tighten the steering wheel to steering column mounting nut to a torque of 40 Nm.
Steering wheel with airbag unit
We recommend that you remove and install the steering wheel with the airbag unit yourself only if you have the relevant experience. Otherwise, entrust this to a workshop.
Removal
14. Disconnect the ground (-) terminal from the battery.
15. Diesel vehicles: Disconnect the plug on the driver's side instrument panel by opening the cover on the panel (see illustration).
For cars produced before 10/92, this plug is located behind the instrument panel on the driver's side (see illustration 14.15a).
16. Unscrew the bolts securing the airbag unit to the steering wheel using a T 30 wrench. The bolts are located on the right and left sides and are unscrewed from the back of the steering wheel.
17. Lift the airbag unit and turn it over.
18. Release the airbag connector from the mount
19. Disconnect the airbag connector.
20. Remove the airbag unit and place it with the AUDI logo rings facing upwards.
21. Remove the upper part of the steering column trim.
22. Pull out the airbag unit connector plug by squeezing the retainer tabs (see illustration).
23. Disconnect the connecting plug.
24. Remove the steering wheel using the same steps as when removing the steering wheel without the airbag unit.
Installation
After the steering wheel is secured to the steering column, tighten the airbag unit mounting bolts by hand. Then tighten the right mounting bolt first to 6 Nm (if you look in the direction of travel), and then at the same moment - the left one.