Hi, been away for awhile, but I am looking at possibly purchasing a 96 outback with blown airbags. I found airbags at a local junkyard for a reasonable price, but was wondering about installation. Is this something that I can do that would be covered in say a chiltons manual, or do I have to take it to a mechanic? if I have to take it to a mechanic, how much should I expect to pay? Thanks

You can do it yourself. Not really hard unless the passenger side airbag is popped too. Then I think you have to replace the whole upper dash panel.

 

The steering wheel airbag is held on by two screws on the backside of the wheel. Remove those, the cover should pull off, then unplug the harness. Pull the fuse for the airbag system or disconnect the battery for at least 30 minutes prior to working on it.

Yeah it's actually really easy. I started fixing air bag blown vehicles a couple years ago and it's not hard at all.

 

At most you should only need to replace both bags, clock spring, and the computer. On older ones sometimes you can get away with just replacing the air bags. Being a 96 outback i'd just go ahead and plan on replacing both bags and the computer if i were you.

 

Make sure it's from a Legacy Outback and not an Impreza Outback, they're different and sometimes yards confuse them.

 

If you order them from a yard they often charge a "Hazardous Materials Surcharge" but it's not really much. It's worth it to find a reasonable price as sometimes yards want insane amounts for these. $50 for each bag is a decent price, much more and they're likely trying to make a killing on them.

 

I just got done repairing a newer OBW with air bags, side impact air bags in the seats and the exploding/locking/have to replace them seat belts - same thing - fairly simple.

 

The most annoying part of the whole deal is the yellow air bag connectors, they are amazingly frustrating.

I still have a 97 OBW complete if that stuff will work drop me a PM and let me know what you'd like and are willing to pay.

 

Running/driving car with no Airbag light on so the clock spring is o.k. - or atleast it was when I parked it probably mid summer.