How to Remove Seats With Airbags
by Russell WoodWhether you want to install new seats in your car or just want to do a really good scrubbing job on the carpet, taking out the stock seats in your car is traditionally an easy task. But today's vehicles often come with airbags in the seats, making the process just that much more complicated. Although it sounds scary, it can be done in the garage as long as you take the proper safety precautions.
Step 1
Pop open the hood and use an open-end wrench to disconnect the negative terminal on the battery. Allow the vehicle to sit for 20 minutes before you start to take out the seats.
Step 2
Unbolt the seat from the chassis of the car, using a 3/8-inch ratchet and socket. Once the bolts are out, tilt the seat forward and unplug the harness for the seat belt and the airbag, using your hands. If you have a difficult time removing the tabs on the harnesses, use the flathead screwdriver to pop it out of place.
Step 3
Tilt the seat forward and grab the seat, placing one hand on the base of the seat and one on the back, then slowly lift it out of the car, using your legs and not your back to do the heavy lifting.
Things You'll Need
- Open-end wrench set
- Flathead screwdriver
- 3/8-inch ratchet and socket set
Warnings
- Never remove an airbag or a part equipped with an airbag without disconnecting the battery first. Otherwise it could trigger the airbag accidentally and cause bodily damage.
Writer Bio
Russell Wood is a writer and photographer who attended Arizona State University. He has been building custom cars and trucks since 1994, including several cover vehicles. In 2000 Wood started a career as a writer, and since then he has dedicated his business to writing and photographing cars and trucks, as well as helping people learn more about how vehicles work.
