S197 2006 model Airbag cover

[Max70]

Hello all, I tried to take a look at the forum to see if there is any similar post but it seems not.

So my question is this, I am trying to enhance my steering wheel to a better looking one, nothing over the moon, so no rev lights or flat bottom, those versions cost too much, all over USD 700. So I am trying to restore a leather one adding carbon fiber trims on it and fully restored leather. My question though evolves around the airbag cover, which is too DAMN ugly and I would like to create a new design. The design is not much of a great deal, because I can create one in CAD and 3D print it, then work on that for a better look, but my difficulty would be to make it so that if the airbag needs to be deployed this would have weak points and I'm not sure how it needs to be or be done.

The original one simply splits in half like the picture below.



But if I create one myself and cover it in carbon fiber fabric, I'm not sure if it will split in half. I was working on a design, until I came across this thought about the airbag deployment.



These last few weeks I was working on the back housing of the steering, by covering it in real carbon fiber fabric and the result is awesome, but its so durable and hard that I guess it would be impossible for the airbag to deploy and might cause a sort of explosion. This is the work I done.



Did anyone replace or did anything to this Airbag cover (not counting a leather cover) that permits the airbag to deploy in case of emergency or accident?

It would be of great help receiving feedbacks about this as I'm at a halt right now.

Thank you in advance.

 

[86GT351]

The Airbag cover is specifically designed with SAFETY in mind. I understand wanting it to look better but in case of an issue, it might not function or cause plastic to splinter into your face!

 

[Juice]

Airbag delete. No risk of injury from depoymemt whatsoever. SRS system is not required for inspection, only seat belts req'd.
Or
If you want to keep SRS than just leave the stock bag.
I like the CF trim on the spokes.

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

Airbag delete. No risk of injury from depoymemt whatsoever.

Deleting the airbags is a bad idea. The correct thing to do, if you haven't already, is to have the original defective Takata airbag inflators replaced with the revised versions as per the Ford global safety recall. It's a mere 10-minute job for the driver's side and maybe 20 minutes for the passenger side. Both can prevent serious chest and facial injuries in the event of a frontal collision.

 

[bpr210]

Actually, I like the Mustang logo of the 2006-2009
I found one in a yard and gave $35 for it.
Later I ran across one for a 2010 GT.
They wanted $75 - so I removed the bag at the counter- 4 8mm nuts. Then they only charged me $35.

I think your idea for a cover is a great one. - there are a lot of these blown covers around,
Most cars in the yards have blown steering wheel centers. Could be a great little side gig for you.

If we really want to be Safe while driving - put on Helmet, Hans, 2 layer Nomex , 5 point plus harness etc..

 

[Juice]

Deleting the airbags is a bad idea. The correct thing to do, if you haven't already, is to have the original defective Takata airbag inflators replaced with the revised versions as per the Ford global safety recall. It's a mere 10-minute job for the driver's side and maybe 20 minutes for the passenger side. Both can prevent serious chest and facial injuries in the event of a frontal collision.

This has nothing to do w/recall. He wants to replace the cover for appearance reasons only.

 

[Max70]

Yes, it is the first thing that came to my mind, either the entire cover in my face of sharp splinters that would rip through my face :/

At this point, the only two alternatives that passed through my mind are, either a cover which is already split in two, which I would glue over the stock one, so it will have the same split feature, or else a cover which I could remove while driving and put on when in shows.

I mean I can never create something so well engineered to be safe, practical and looking good at the same time.

 

[Max70]

I would not like to delete the airbags, even though in my country, the top speed on most roads is of 60 km/hr, there are a couple that go up to 80km/hr but as a safety feature I would not like to omit it, I just want to create a better looks, most probably I will end up creating a good looking cover to place on this center airbag round part when static and remove it when driving. I think its the easiest and best solution.

As for the Airbags themselves, as DINO DINO mentioned, I do not know which ones I have installed as this car has been out of the USA for at least 11 years now, so before that I do not know if it was recalled or not. Though I don't know if I can find or from where I can find the safer upgrades.

I live on an Island in the Mediterranean, so everything about these cars is hard to get.

I would appreciate any help given.

 

[Dino Dino Bambino]

I live on an Island in the Mediterranean, so everything about these cars is hard to get.

So do I (Cyprus). Luckily for me, Ford Cyprus stepped up as part of a nationwide airbag recall and replaced my inflators free of charge! Otherwise the MOT (biennial vehicle inspection) would have been invalidated and my car would no longer have been road legal.

As for parts being hard to get, you certainly can't expect to find S197 parts in your local Ford dealership. They only stock some parts for the S550/650 models since they were sold in Europe. For OEM parts, Rockauto.com and Tasca Ford Parts are my primary sources since they do international shipping and their prices are reasonable. I usually place larger orders for service parts to save on shipping costs. As a result, over the years I've built a small stockpile.

Sometimes you can find good used parts in eBay from European vendors who part out cars sitting in junkyards.

 

[Max70]

Thank you for your reply, I normally source parts from RockAuto which I found a very reliable and economic source, my primary concern on the parts was for the airbag replacement. I know for sure that our Local Ford dealership won't help me in any parts, because I was told that they can only source parts for Mustangs S550 onwards, if I recall correctly.

BTW I live in Malta, so my Island is smaller