SRS & steering systems - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

I've had a pair of airbag codes for a few months now, so I took the car to a shop that was formerly a GM dealership. They said that the B1015 & B1021 codes show high resistance to both airbags, and that both airbags need to be replaced. Other research indicates that airbags that were manufactured in the 90's and later should never go bad. So I'm wondering if this shop performed the full Helms diagnostic or took a shortcut. I may get a second opinion if I can get a shop to follow the complete diagnostic.

My understanding is that if either airbag is measured as being bad, then neither will deploy. If the passenger airbag is bad, well it's just staying installed due to the difficulty of removal, then I'm looking to remove as much of the SRS system I can to save weight and hide any SRS failure indicators.

That leads me to an an aftermarket steering wheel & horn (I don't have radio buttons to worry about). My OEM leather steering wheel cracked years ago and I replaced it with the foam/vinyl version. Of those two materials, I like the looks of the leather better but I didn't like the beating it took in the Florida sun. The foam wheel doesn't get as hot. Outside of that, I guess I want something that's performance oriented. I've seen opinions that the OEM steering wheel diameter is 'too large' for performance. Simply as a comparison, the C8 wheel is 14", my vinyl wheel is 14.5-15". What is a good balance diameter that will work well in daily driver situations as well as being performance oriented?

Speaking of steering, does anyone make an aftermarket steering column that retains all OEM features? Does anyone make a rack and pinion that is more performance oriented that won't have side effects? Does the rack design interact with the steering wheel diameter?

JimMueller View Member Profile	Jul 17 2021, 05:23 PM Post #1
Experienced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 1,673 Joined: 15-February 04 From: Casselberry FL Member No.: 206	I've had a pair of airbag codes for a few months now, so I took the car to a shop that was formerly a GM dealership. They said that the B1015 & B1021 codes show high resistance to both airbags, and that both airbags need to be replaced. Other research indicates that airbags that were manufactured in the 90's and later should never go bad. So I'm wondering if this shop performed the full Helms diagnostic or took a shortcut. I may get a second opinion if I can get a shop to follow the complete diagnostic. My understanding is that if either airbag is measured as being bad, then neither will deploy. If the passenger airbag is bad, well it's just staying installed due to the difficulty of removal, then I'm looking to remove as much of the SRS system I can to save weight and hide any SRS failure indicators. That leads me to an an aftermarket steering wheel & horn (I don't have radio buttons to worry about). My OEM leather steering wheel cracked years ago and I replaced it with the foam/vinyl version. Of those two materials, I like the looks of the leather better but I didn't like the beating it took in the Florida sun. The foam wheel doesn't get as hot. Outside of that, I guess I want something that's performance oriented. I've seen opinions that the OEM steering wheel diameter is 'too large' for performance. Simply as a comparison, the C8 wheel is 14", my vinyl wheel is 14.5-15". What is a good balance diameter that will work well in daily driver situations as well as being performance oriented? Speaking of steering, does anyone make an aftermarket steering column that retains all OEM features? Does anyone make a rack and pinion that is more performance oriented that won't have side effects? Does the rack design interact with the steering wheel diameter?

mikedamageinc View Member Profile	Jul 24 2021, 12:25 AM Post #2
Advanced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 838 Joined: 14-February 10 From: Hampton Roads, VA Member No.: 8,551	If you pull the glove box you can get to it, I might have loosened the dash but I know I didn't take it out. Some extensions and u joints and a little sweat should get it done. As far as the tilt, I'm about tired of the loose column that is so common on these. I'm about ready to do a fixed column and quick release wheel This post has been edited by mikedamageinc: Jul 24 2021, 12:25 AM