355 Airbag Modules

I would guess and say most owners do not replace the airbags after 10 years--They are very expensive--$2-3K, but an easy DIY job....

 

Before anyone thinks of buying a replacement air bag. Make dam sure that you are buying a brand new replacement unit.
This is because i know of one that is currently being sold on US ebay that was sold on the UK ebay to a US member. The air bag was a 12 year old unit which sold for £100 complete with wheel. Now its for sale on the US ebay for over $1100!!! Not mentioning how old the air bag is.
The overwhelming proof is on the airbag were my mate accidentally marked the airbag with a screw driver in a very distinctive way.
The same identical mark can be clearly seen on the US advertised airbag What do they think UK members dont check out the US ebay LOL! We do

 

+1. I noticed that the Lister did not specify how old the air bag module was. I e-mailed him this question, with no response. I notified eBay that the Seller should list the "expiration date" of the air bag module as Ferrari air bags have a 10-year life-span, with no response. I just hope some unsuspecting individual does not get taken!

 

Heres the original pictures as they were shown on the UK Ebay. Now look at the US ebay advert. Notice the mark at 5 o clock of the air bag center? Now compare. Hope this helps anyone on here.
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I don't know if that would be a correct assumption. There would be a "warning light" if something with the electronics (e.g., ECU, wiring, etc.) were wrong, but, and please correct me if I am wrong, Ferrari recommends replacement after 10 years due to: (1) the air bag propellant oxidizing and losing its ability to deploy the air bag and (2) the air bag polymers degrading.

 

I doubt the propellant is going to go bad. It's similar to a shotgun shell and those things will last for decades. I wouldn't be too worried about the bag itself either. It would be massive liability for Ferrari if the bags went bad after ten yrs. I don't think the expiration sticker would get them off the hook.

 

So you mean that this could be a money-making enterprise for Ferrari, S.p.a.? I can't believe that they would do such a thing to we loyal owners.

 

One thing you guys may want to check is to see if your airbag light has been pulled. When I bought my F355 I noticed the air bag light did not illuminate and when I unscrewed the cluster I realized that someone had blatantly removed the light, when I put in a new light it illuminated.

 

It 100% is a scam----I have been to so many belt/airbag safety seminars and course's isn't funny. I have watched airbags that are 15 years old discharge perfectly. i went toa course and the instructor blew off 50 bags during the 2 day class. Not one, no matter the maker or model or how old it was had any problem blowing....

 

Thank you Robbie. It's great to have "real" information. I had read an article (I think in Car & Driver) that stated manufacturers were recommending air bag replacement primarily of the old, 1st generation bags due to reasons I (incorrectly) stated in my original post.

Kevin:

When I replaced my steering wheel the same thing had been done and someone had completely "buggered" one of the T-27 TORX Safety screws by using the wrong tool. What I don't understand is why they removed the light. When I replaced the bulb, the light went off after the initial diagnostic cycle - so I guess my air bag ECU is OK. The SD2 on my PPI didn't pick-up and codes. Did you figure out why they removed your bulb?

 

Perhaps the PO had a diffrent wheel with no airbags in it. Did'nt want to be looking at the light?

 

Exactly why I was planning on removing it when I installed my 360 Modena Challenge steering wheel - until I noticed that the PO had already beat me to it. But the "buggered" TORX safety screw makes me think that maybe something was "wrong" and the air bag light was coming on - rather than fix it the PO may have just removed the bulb. However, on my PPI, the SD2 didn't show an error code, so I assume the electrical components of the system are OK.

 

In light of the Takata issues with non hermetically sealed airbags detonators. I think this topic should have a new relevance since 2008 the date of the last post. I don't think I wish to have a detonator with humidity damage go off in an accident and possibly throw metal fragment at me. Detonators have a leak rate that is known.