Good for you. However, that's your experience - and I'm willing to bet that the vast majority of people on here are not mechanics.

I've only worked on cars for 15 years, so I guess you've got me beat, and the only "strawmen" I know of got tossed out at halloween.

Of course, I've been burned, cut, scraped and pretty well banged up in those 15 years. You must be some sort of miracle man if you've never had a mishap - especially with your attitude on safety.

I'm glad you're not intimidated - after 40 years without a scratch, you shouldn't be; but do you really think it's a good idea to treat everyone else on here like they also have 40+ years experience, when most of them have probably done little else than fill their gas tank or check their oil?

Have I cranked over a starter by touching the contacts with my screwdriver? Yes. Would I recommend that practice to someone who's never even seen their starter before? No.

You have faith in your abilities and equipment - that's super. Most people here have neither, and yet you'd still try to instill the same faith in them.

Safety comes first. Always.

Your posting of the poor soul that got crushed is a classic strawman, and Halloween was a month ago.
I'm not suggesting anyone make unsafe choices. The FSM states the key should be in the 0 position. It also states the airbag circuit does not need a wait.
Given your paranoia, I can't believe you actually sit behind an airbag as you drive down the road. It could spontaneously initiate.

Sure you are. You're making the assumption for other people that their depletion circuitry still works, and telling them there's no need to wait.

I drive a euro - no bag. :P Anything else I drive (airbag equipped) says "wait 20 minutes before working on ABS system" in it's FSM's...

As far as this "strawman" (I had to look it up - wasn't familiar with the term in your context) business goes, I have no need to make up stories about people getting killed at work; it happens on a daily basis. It's just as true as you having 40+ years experience in the trade, which I do believe. After all, it is usually the older folks that don't consider safety a high priority.

Wrong. I have not advised anyone not to wait.

You sure you're not a lawyer? You've spent the last hour or so arguing for the practice of not waiting - exactly what message do you think that sends?

I'm a retired repair shop owner. You can take what you want out of the posts I've made, but I have not advised anyone not to wait.
You seem to think the circuits that control the airbag are going to screw up, and I don't. So far the evidence is on my side.

I've heard that airbags are extremely loud when they go off. Is that true?

Yeah, because nobody (professional techs included) has ever set off an airbag by accident...:rolleyes:

They are only supposed to go off in the event of an actual crash, right?

I have seen car airbags deploy in test steering wheels at TRW, and they're not as loud as some other airbags I know. ;)

Huh?

No need to buy the special Mercedes tool or mangle the Torx head with a hex driver---just get one of these.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=33895

Removing airbag
 

I have done this safely on my 560SL. I suspect the procedure is identical on your 124.

Removing the air bag
is DANGEROUS. If you must do this yourself, do the following steps.

1. Remove negative battery cable. Place or insulate it so it cannot contact the battery.

2. Wait 20 minutes

3. Locate and unplug the large red SRS connector. On my car it is under the passenger side foot rest (front of the floorboard). Remove carpet for access if yours is there too. After carpet is lifted, you will see a removable panel with an SRS warning label on it. Four hold downs.

4. Unscrew the two screws behind the center pad retaining the air bag. They are #30 Torx. They are tight but not too tight. Use a 1/4" socket on your Torx bit for leverage. You will need a long shaft Torx bit.

5. Carefully lift off air bag assembly and unplug the connectors. Place airbag in a safe location CENTER PAD UP.

6. Remove center bolt. It is a flat head 10mm hex. It will be very tight. Use air impact driver.

7. Steering wheel will lift easily off splines. You may want to mark straight ahead position before you do if it is not clearly marjked already.

Good Luck. It is still best left to the professionals.

That's it. Don't skip any steps if you want to be safe no matter what anyone says.

So much for the airbag. Now I guess you will have to fend for yourself with the Windbags.

Do you pull the steering wheel?
 

I have to pull the instrument panel on my W124 to repair or replace the odometer and replace some light bulbs. While pulling the panel out of a junker at the P & P, I thought that the working room was a bit less then on the W123, but I can manage that job on the W123. I was thinking that it might be worthwhile to pull the steering wheel on the W124 to replace or otherwise work on the instrument panel. Am I looking at that right?

If your steering wheel is not adjustable, I think removing the wheel is required to remove the instrument cluster. I changed the outside temperature display recently and had to remove the wheel. It's not a big deal if you follow directions.

The first time removing a steering wheel is a real PITA. you NEED an Impact.

You guys do realize it's impossible for the airbag to fire once you unplug the connector form the back? Contacts short the pins together for safety.

-Jason