life expectancy - air bags

[finleyfishface]

Has anyone with an older car ever wondered about their air bags, that is, I am sure I read somewhere that MB state that they should be replaced after 15 years.
Occasionally when Im driving at high speed, this vision comes to me of what would happen if the steering wheel air bag suddenly exploded of its own accord ! Should we either replace them, or remove the fuse - Imean thats got to be safer than having one go off in your face when driving ?
cheers

 

[jberks]

Not sure about lifespan but I suspect the age issue isn't so much that they'll go off unexpectedly but rather that they may not go off at all, or else won't inflate properly. The chemicals will probably get beyond their sell by date and the bag itself may perish and so not inflate if needed.

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Airbags

The Owners Handbook with my Range Rover states that the bag's should be replaced at the Ten Year Point. Rumoured to be very expensive though and how can you be sure that the airbags are original on a second hand vehicle anyway?

 

[wireman]

The airbag energy source is an explosive squib built using the same technology and materials as the detonator cap in a rifle round (but electricaly activated), given the correct storage conditions these will have a very long life, but since the storage conditions are uncontroled in the air bag instalation a 10-15 year life expectancy seems sensible to me. I have in past times been involved in the testing and disposal of a great variety of explosive devices considerably greater in age than 15 years, believe me it still goes bang on command.
The plastics materials used in the airbag are more likely to change characteristics than the ex bits and it would be prudent to follow the makers guide lines and replace the entire airbag assembly rather than risk the possibilty of the bag not performing as it should when called upon to deploy.
Removal of the supply will only leave the sytem disabled, it will not prevent the squib from firing if it is misshandled or inapropriately installed.
Do not ever leave these devices around once removed from a vehicle, they must be disposed of by a safe (and legal) detonation.