Lotus 2004 Eleven Service Notes page 487

Lotus Service Notes
and bear directly against the hub, without interfering with the rotary connector. The centre screw should
bear against the end of the column. Withdraw the wheel/hub/rotary connector assembly from the column
splines.
Alternatively, for better puller access, the steering wheel can first be removed from the hub by releasing
the four retaining screws.
CAUTION: If excessive force is applied to either the wheel or column without an appropriate
puller, the telescoping mechanism of the outer column may be overridden, necessitating column
replacement.
5. Release the two countersunk screws retaining the rotary connector to the steering wheel hub.
6. On refitment, feed the airbag and horn connector plugs on the rotary connector through the hole in the
steering wheel hub, and secure the unit to the hub with the two countersunk screws. If necessary, refit the
steering wheel to the hub and secure with the four screws. Mate the horn buttons harness connector plug.
7. Before fitting the wheel/hub/rotary connector assembly to the column, the rotary connector must be
centralised: Turn the connector centre element fully counterclockwise until tight, then turn clockwise
approximately 2.5 turns until the arrow marks on the two parts of the rotary connector are aligned. Make
sure the front wheels are pointing straight ahead, and fit the assembly onto the column with the hub to
column match marks (made on disassembly) aligned, and engage the spring loaded pin on the column
switch housing with the slot in the rotary connector.
8. Fit a new locking tab washer, followed by the steering wheel nut, and torque tighten to 25 Nm (18.5 lbf.ft).
Bend up the locking tabs to secure.
9. Mate the airbag harness connector plug and fit the airbag module into the steering wheel. Retain with the
two socket head screws and tighten to 7Nm.
10. Refit the column shrouds, and when all service work is complete, mate the horn/airbag connector to the
vehicle harness (clipping the connector to the column) and reconnect the battery. Check that the airbag
tell tale lights for a few seconds with ignition, and then goes out.
WD.11 - PASSENGER AIRBAG MODULE
WARNING: Safety precautions must be observed when handling a deployed airbag. After deploy-
ment, the airbag surface may contain a white packing powder used to ease deployment, together with
a small amount of sodium hydroxide dust, a by-product of the sodium azide reaction during deploy-
ment that can be irritating to the skin if left on for an extended period of time. Always wear gloves and
safety glasses when handling a deployed inflator module, and wash your hands with a mild soap and
water afterwards.
The passenger's airbag (or inflator module) is housed within the passenger side of the fascia, mounted on
a bracket to the scuttle beam, and arranged to deploy via an aperture in the dash panel covered by a trimmed
'door'. The door is designed to break away in the event of airbag deployment, but is tethered to the dash by two
restraining straps. The airbag module comprises:
- an inflatable fabric bag;
- an inflator (canister of gas generating material)
- an initiator (or 'squib')
When the vehicle suffers a forward deceleration of sufficient magnitude to close both the safing sensor
and integrated accelerometer within the SDM, current flows through the deployment loop of both the driver and
passenger airbag module initiators and ignites the gas generating material. Each bag inflates in a fraction of a
second, the passenger's bag bursting through the dash panel 'door', and then deflates via vents in the bag, with
the whole cycle taking less than one second. The airbag is designed for a single deployment, and must then be
renewed.
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Section WD