Pulling rear decks

[micro-edge]

I hardly ever pull decks anymore on newer vehicles (since the invention of the bulldozer) but some still need to be pulled. So you know how you sometimes have to pull the back side panels to get the deck to come out and most newer vehicles have an airbag in that panel what do ya do I've been skurred to pull that panel in fear of an air bag going off so I make do with what I can. Can it be pulled or no?

[Guest rcjello]

the air bag cannot go off if the ignition is off and if the car isn't moving more than 35 mph. if you are unsure how to remove call a local stereo shop. I work out of one and I know how to get nearly any panel off.

[Guest 1PEECBARETTA]

Don't pull decks, complete waste of time.

[micro-edge]

Don't pull decks, complete waste of time.

I'm not talking about the brake light issue, moreso when the deck is raised up or pushed too tight against the bottom of the glass where you can't slide the film all the way down properly. Luckily ive been able to pull the deck enough to get it off the glass, mainly wondering what would happen when you do pull that type of side panel

[tint_detective]

Most of them have a screw behind the SRS badge, pop the badge out and remove the screw, then they'll pop out like any other.

Just be sure when you reinstall them, that they don't pinch anything, like a sunroof drain, wiring or the airbag curtain..

You should be ok if you're careful.

I have to pull them all the time when checking and repairing water leaks and recovering headliners... No big deal....

[tintman Pa]

ipull them all if they are in the way...it makes for an easier install...more time consuming but just charge a bit more and dont be skurred

[Guest ChAz2]

BOOM!!!

[Sisqouc]

I keep wondering why otherwise seemingly helpful forum members are so damn sure that turning the key off or disconnecting the battery makes airbags safe.

Does anyone scratch their head as to why firefighters are routinely subjected air-bag deployments on Key OFF- NON MOVING vehicles?

Jeez...I'll try to be nice and go another six months without confusing anyone with facts.

At least OldTinter would appreciate this grumpy post.

Caution! If the door can be opened, even after the electrical system is shut down; rescuers should always tie the door open with a rope or strap to assure that it does not partially close again, putting them in the deployment zone. Never use a prop, these can be easily kicked out, or become a tripping hazard.

If the door is to be removed; always lay the door in the debris pile with the airbag pointing up. If an accidental deployment where to accrue the bag will deploy into the air rather than against the ground, causing the whole door to fly up. It is also a good idea to lay all loaded airbags in a separate area, away from all work areas. All airbags are subject to deploying from static electricity.

_____________________________________________________________

Both of these use a stored gas inflator mounted inside the back rest.

Caution! Like the door mounted airbags, if these are deployed the rescuer can safely work around them, but if they are not deployed we must stay out of the deployment zone until the electrical system is shut down and the capacitor drain time has expired.

Warning! The main concern with both of these is in working from the door opening. If the door can be opened, rescuers must be aware that these airbags normally follow the door panel when deploying. With the door open they will deploy outward at a 45 degree angle to about were a rescuer would be standing. Both of these will deploy outward about 12 to 14 inches and the head / torso bag will extend upward about 18 inches. Rescuers must also remember that all side impact airbags deploy much faster than frontal airbags and with about the same force.

Video --- See why this is so vitally important

If possible, it is a good idea to do most of the patient care from the back seat area. This keeps the rescuer out of both the frontal and side impact deployment zones. If for some reason you must work from the door opening, it may be a good idea to tilt the back rest portion of the seat so that the B post gives you some protection from the seat mounted airbag.

Warning! Remember that if the seat mounted airbag is not deployed, there is likely a curtain airbag over your head, that is also not deployed.

Video --- Curtain airbag deployment

p4.jpg

Like the door mounted, some of these can be visually identified as a blowout panel in the outboard edge, of the back rest portion of the seat.

side_airbag.jpg

seatairbag2.jpg

Most of these are hidden inside the back rest portion of the seat and when deployed, they simply ripe the upholstery seam.

Unlike the blowout panel, these are much harder to identify. The only way a rescuer can identify their presence is by a very small emblem embedded in the upholstery or a tag sewn in the seam, that may say Airbag, or SRS.

Midsouth Rescue Technologies 10260 Westward Dr. Ft. Worth Tx. 76108

http://www.airbagsystems.org/id19.html

[Sisqouc]

Or take this information from NITSA

Even after a battery disconnect, it is possible that static electricity can deploy the air bag. Static electricity can be generated by the use of hydraulic shears and rams, rescue personnel sliding across the seat, and the cutting of safety belts. After a crash, it is not possible to determine how much static electricity is present around the vehicle and specifically what wires individuals and extrication equipment may contact. Also, the use of rams and the prying open of body parts can trigger the deployment of mechanically-activated side air bags. This is why it is always best to treat air bag systems as if they were “live.”

If time permits, wait until the air bag system is deactivated. Check the Air Bag Deactivation Times chart (this can be found on the Internet at www.nhtsa.dot.gov) to find out how long it takes for the backup system to completely deactivate. Some vehicles may take up to 30 minutes to deactivate, but most vehicles take 1 minute or less. While this will significantly lower the chance of accidental deployment, it does not make it 100 percent safe.

Or you can just call a car audio shop and ask whoever answers the phone what they were told by the dude who "trained" them.

Better to follow the precautionary principle. IMHO

The precautionary principle is a moral and political principle which states that if an action or policy might cause severe or irreversible harm to the public, in the absence of a scientific consensus that harm would not ensue, the burden of proof falls on those who would advocate taking the action.