Horn , Again...

It seems I've got the same issue that so many others have: Worn out horn pads that cause the horn to stick.  I'm the newbie here so I haven't seen an answer to what seems to be an obvious solution:  A professionally refurbished airbag module.  There must a reason that, aside from the expense, puts the kibosh on this solution; so someone kindly explain to me what I'm ignorant of.  Then of course,  what does one do with an old, presumably functioning airbag?  There is a light at the end of this tunnel for me however.  I've looked at what other folks have done and I've come up with what I feel is an elegant solution.  It's surprisingly simple and involves so slight a modification to the existing wheel that it will hardly be distinguishable from stock.  It can also be removed in such a way as to make almost impossible to see it was ever done.  I'll post pictures if and when I do it.

""There must a reason that, aside from the expense,""

You have the answer. Many have come up with alternatives to avoid this expense, Having had my own Wagon since new, I have replaced this module twice.

Reverend Bob

Thanks. Guess the old axiom applies:"Follow the money..."

What do you do with the old unit?

""What do you do with the old unit?""

I take it to the local Buick dealership. I think they set them up in the parking lot and light them off to launch watermelons.

They say they dispose of them using GM protocols, but I am not buying it.

I don't think I have ever seen a reconditioned bag/cover assembly, just the electronic module.

Used one and some aftermarket ones of questionable quality, yes.

Where does one find those sources? I may be interesting in having our nearly 30 year old ones refreshed as I don't really want to remove them as they are a good safety feature IMO.

booster wrote:

I don't think I have ever seen a reconditioned  bag/cover assembly, just the electronic module.

Used one and some aftermarket ones of questionable quality, yes.

Where does one find those sources?  I may be interesting in having our nearly 30 year old ones refreshed as I don't really want to remove them as they are a good safety feature IMO.

I don't know these guys, so I was asking.  If anyone has any experience with them or has seen a review I'd sure like to know.

zonaman wrote:

booster wrote:

I don't think I have ever seen a reconditioned  bag/cover assembly, just the electronic module.

Used one and some aftermarket ones of questionable quality, yes.

Where does one find those sources?  I may be interesting in having our nearly 30 year old ones refreshed as I don't really want to remove them as they are a good safety feature IMO.

I don't know these guys, so I was asking.  If anyone has any experience with them or has seen a review I'd sure like to know.

I just looked at the link and all I found for our 96 RMW are used steering wheel bags.

Used is all that is available. New ones have not been offered for many moons. The last used one I purchased was indeed checked out for operating horn buttons and has been OK for about a decade.

airbagcenter.com

Rev Bob wrote:

Used is all that is available. New ones have not been offered for many moons. The last used one I purchased was indeed checked out for operating horn buttons and has been OK for about a decade.

airbagcenter.com

Roger that.  I confirmed with the seller I referenced.  They sell used airbags and have made sure the horn pads work.  There is no refurbishing. Can't do it.   On the other hand- you're switching out a 30-year old OEM unit for another one- so no difference there, except now your horn works like it was designed. I hope none of us ever has the opportunity to "test" our airbags since, aside from the dash light, there's only one to know...