# '01 Taurus air bag removal **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** ford, taurus\ **Created:** [January 1, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/01-taurus-air-bag-removal/41628 "2010-01-01T20:21:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![MG-McAnick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mg-mcanick/32/188_2.png) [@MG-McAnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MG-McAnick)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2010, 8:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/01-taurus-air-bag-removal/41628/1 "2010-01-01T20:21:19Z")
I bought a pair of '01 Tauri with the B4 paint code this week. One has severe damage to the left front corner and roof, but has a good right side. It is not economically repairable. The other needs the right doors and front fender. Serendipity strikes again. I have already stripped most of the parts off of the donor car including the engine and transmission for which I also have good homes. I have removed several air bags from various earlier Tauri, but can’t figure out how the steering wheel comes off of this one. Unlike the earlier models with their two 3/4" plugs, there is one approximately 2" X 3" flap on the dash side of the steering wheel, but I don’t see where it gains me access to remove the steering wheel and/or airbag which appear to be ALL ONE PIECE on this newer car. Is there a special tool or a trick to it? ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2010, 8:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/01-taurus-air-bag-removal/41628/2 "2010-01-01T20:38:53Z")
Pry off that panel on the back of the steering wheel with a thin screwdriver. Unplug the air bag and clock spring connectors. Look in the opening and you’ll see a pinion shaft holding the steering wheel to the column shaft. Turn the pinion shaft 120-130 revolutions. Remove steering wheel/air bag. Tester ---
**Author:** ![MG-McAnick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mg-mcanick/32/188_2.png) [@MG-McAnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MG-McAnick)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2010, 4:09am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/01-taurus-air-bag-removal/41628/3 "2010-01-02T04:09:26Z")
Thanks Tester. I’ll look into it tomorrow although I’m not sure what a pinion shaft is. Pi?on pine yes, pinion shaft no. ---
**Author:** ![MG-McAnick](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mg-mcanick/32/188_2.png) [@MG-McAnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MG-McAnick)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2010, 3:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/01-taurus-air-bag-removal/41628/4 "2010-01-03T15:31:06Z")
I decided to take the crude approach to this situation and simply remove the entire steering column. Worked like a champ. Now, if I find a need for a beige airbag system, I won’t have to mess with the clock spring or anything.