Passenger Airbag Recover/Stretch | FerrariChat
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Passenger Airbag Recover/Stretch

Discussion in '348/355' started by eric lipper, Feb 18, 2009.

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  1. eric lipper

    eric lipper Karting

    Nov 2, 2003
    172
    #1 eric lipper, Feb 18, 2009
    I have a passenger airbag that the leather is slightly loose. If it is cold out it looks great but as it warms up the leather expands slightly so that it is just a little too loose. I would shrink the leather but I cannot figure a good way to accomplish that. I suppose that it just needs to be unglued and reglued a little tighter. If anyone knows of a shop in Houston, Texas that does this type of work I would really appreciate it. Alternatively, if anyone knows a good mail order leather place I would remove it and ship the part. Thanks.
     
  2. bcwawright

    bcwawright F1 Veteran

    Jul 8, 2006
    5,234
    Georgia
    Full Name:
    Bruce
    #2 bcwawright, Feb 19, 2009
    Most of the time when the leather loosens it's because the underlying pastic is starting to deform......this is a common problem on the 355. Seeings how the plastic cover is design to break away on one end and hinges on the other the plastic has a tendency over time with heat to deform.

    The cover is riveted to the metal air bag container and with care can be removed...but getting it back to the original shape??? I haven't tried to do this and don't think it is a fix that is worth the effort as it will have a tendency to deform again. Since the plastic composition has been engineered to work with proper air bag deployment any redesign using a less deformable material may effect the air bag function.

    On my car I have deleted the passenger side air bag and installed a blank cover, however I am not recommending this delete for anyone that is street driving their car with a passenger onboard.

    Hopefully your loose leather is nothing more than the adhesive being compromised in which case it can be reglued....but with the age of these cars and if you live in a hot area and the car is left in the sun I would expect at some point for the plastic to start deforming.
     

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