Dangerous airbags. WOW read one - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

86560SEL · #31 12-13-2005, 11:41 PM

Oh yeah... sorry. Yeah, they changed that steering wheel in the early 90s if I recall. 93' I think on some.

Yeah, unless they make new ones. I am not sure. I bet it will be big $$$$ either way.

Quote:

Originally Posted by schiszm

Hey 86, I was referring to the airbag not the model. Most companies use parts up until they run out, lose the contract for manufacture. So most likely the airbag for my 90 may not have been made since 92. That is what concerns me. If I buy something new, that is exactly what I expect, new not ten years old unused. There is probably another airbag that fits from another make that fits without the price. But, with any airbag, the price is never cheap. Just not enough for me to worry about with an airbag going off prematurly.
Chris

raymr · #32 12-13-2005, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samiam4

Note

"Well if you can't get em replaced, remember to keep your hands at 10 and 2 o'clock on the wheel at all times, and don't wear spikey jewelry"

The rules are different now- 10 and 2 o'clock is pre-air bags. Now, if you were in drivers education class- it's 9 and 3 or 8 and 4 o'clock.

I've contemplated this one for a while- my car is an 1986 which puts the airbag past it's 20 year life. How "fresh" would a new airbag be?

Michael

Yes I should have know that. Plus you're supposed to steer in some weird way so your arms don't go across the wheel, ie in front of the air bag.

mctwin2kman · #33 12-14-2005, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samiam4

The idea is backed with data...

With your hands at 2 and 10 O'clock the airback inflates and throws your arms into your face.
I always liked the "strong feel" of the 2 and 10 O'clock position.

Not a good thing...

I have had an airbag blow and my hands went out as they should when a big pillow blows up and fills the space your arms are. I have never ever seen someone hit there fac with there hands. The bag is designed to blow your arms and hands out away from the wheel and you. Unless you have your hand on the air bag I could not see how it is physically possible to blow straight at your face..... But alas there are obviously diferent scenerios....

POS · #34 12-14-2005, 08:51 AM

If the shelf-life is 15 years, then I have 5 years to go before I freak out in a hightened state of panic and run screaming into the streets. 5 years of driving at 40,000 miles a year is 200,000 miles; my '95 currently has 100k miles, so I'll be at around 300,000 at that time - slowly nearing the end of it's life anyway, I'd guess.

Kestas · #35 12-14-2005, 12:30 PM

Unlike my MB, which sees 4K each year. That means this car should last to the year 2050, and will go through about eight air bags (one on each side)!

lee polowczuk · #36 12-14-2005, 12:37 PM

Why don't you just remove the drivers side if you think it is an issue?

Probably takes an hour or so...

cangold · #37 05-29-2006, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.B.DOC

The air bags in MB's before 2000 are rated for 15 YEARS of service!

THE only MB's that I have seen with abnormal air bag deployment came from BROKEN flex disc & the DRIVESHAFT hitting the tunnel OR broken MOTOR mounts and or their arms that allow the trans to hit the tunnel.

SO TRUE ...My airbag deployed today driving on the interstate for NO REASON and after that shock wore off.. Pieces of my flex disc blew off,
'just replaced 3 months ago'
I have angels all around me...
Will get it fixed tomorrow...Thanks for this site...