Airbag life?

[Tom Freeman]

Have asked this on a couple of other forums but have not gotten a reliable answer so thought would pose it to the mechanical experts here.

What is the design life for airbags? Do they need to be replaced as a maintaince item? Or are they good for 50+ years.

I have a 90, so it is now 14 years old and that got me to thinking about the life expectancy of the air bags. Any input?

tom...




The '73 Spot

[Donald M.]

Re: Airbag life?

I'm sure GM never figured that their cars would be pampered and kept on the road so long. As far as I know, there is no maintenance on the airbag system, including the bag itself. Please don't try to do ANYTHING on the system as an inadvertent stray voltage spike could trigger the airbag with possible devastating results.

[Joe L.]

Re: Airbag life?

Tom-----

I've never heard of a maintenence interval or replacement cycle for an SIR (air bag). However, the "power source" for SIR deployment is a chemical reaction involving sodium azide and other chemicals. Although sodium azide is an inorganic, I would still expect some decomposition over time. Other elements of the SIR probably are life-limited, too. However, as far as replacement goes, the issue is really moot. I'm sure that the life of the SIR is FAR greater than the SERVICE availability of the SIR units. So, by the time that the SIR unit requires replacement, you won't be able to get one to replace it. Some of these are already discontinued. The one for your 1990 Corvette is still available, though. It's GM #10094618 and it currently GM lists for $644.50.

[Joe L.]

Addendum

By the way, GM sells a kit to inactivate the SIR system for those folks so-inclined. It's GM #12453830, and it currently GM lists for $130.00.

[Tom Freeman]

Re: Addendum

Joe,
Is that kit to inactivate just the passanger side SIR or the entire system?
tom...

[Joe L.]

Re: Addendum

Tom-----

I think that the kit only provides switch-controlled deactivisation of the passenger side SIR. I'm not completely sure, though. It may include both sides.