NL Takata Airbag Alert

[stumagoo]

Victoria guidelines are a bit ambiguous

Vehicles manufactored after June 1995 can only have steering wheels fitted that are specified by the manufactorers as suitable for that vehicle....

this could read that a non airbag wheel can be fitted to an airbag vehicle as long as all other non airbag options are present...

[nj swb]

So I was wrong - again.

It appears that the powers that be may accept Stu's modification of simply removing the airbag, but it reads that they may expect to see the non-airbag steering wheel rather than removing / deactivating the airbag.

Is the NL non-airbag steering wheel the same as all earlier Gen 2s?

[damo03]

for those interested --- I am trying very hard to find where these quotes came from but I am struggling and as the post is 8 years old it is likely they could have been superceded and no longer appllicable...

Optional Airbag in Vehicle Required to Meet ADR 69/..
If a vehicle was required to meet ADR 69/.. and it was originally fitted with an airbag that was optional equipment on that particular model or variant, the airbag need not be present, complete or operational provided the vehicle is fitted with all equipment (eg steering wheel, steering column, seat belts) that would have been fitted had the vehicle been originally manufactured without the airbag; i.e. the vehicle must be shown to still comply with the requirements of ADR 69/..
Optional Drivers Airbag in Vehicle Not Required to Meet ADR 69/..
For a vehicle not required to meet ADR 69/.. and originally fitted with a driver’s airbag that was optional equipment, it need not be present, complete or operational provided the impact energy absorption characteristics of the steering wheel and steering column are equivalent to those of the non-airbag variant; i.e. the vehicle must comply with the requirements of ADR 10/..
Optional Passenger Airbag in Vehicle Not Required to meet ADR 69/..
For a vehicle not required to meet ADR 69/.. and originally fitted with a passenger airbag that was optional equipment, it need not be present, complete or operational.

I'm going to call Vicroads tomorrow to see if I can potentially fit a non airbag wheel to my NL (from a NL GLS) and remove the passenger airbag. I suspect that I may need an "engineer" to approve this modification. Last time I used an approved engineer for my vehicle modifications was 15 years ago and cost me $700 so it's probably a higher fee now.

[stumagoo]

all other states say nothing that I have been able to find over the last few hours ---- some do state removal of an airbag is illegal but its not in a document that is referable its just comments on forums ----

I have searched ADR 69 several times to find anything --- even something that says we cant ---- all I can find is interpretations that specify aftermarket wheels are illegal... nothing about same model optional wheels


It appears to me that these clauses may have been removed in new versions over the last few years to avoid the exact situation we are looking into --- and to stop backyarders trying to bypass recall situations

[stumagoo]

I'm going to call Vicroads tomorrow to see if I can potentially fit a non airbag wheel to my NL (from a NL GLS) and remove the passenger airbag. I suspect that I may need an "engineer" to approve this modification. Last time I used an approved engineer for my vehicle modifications was 15 years ago and cost me $700 so it's probably a higher fee now.

the requirement is for the full safety package --- seatbelts and dash included so you cant retain the passenger bag or the standard seatbelts also non steering bag columns can be different but I very much doubt this ---- they have to be a collapsing collumn for non airbag wheels... where airbag columns can be collapsing or not manufactorers choice

the dash is a pretty easy swap out though and gives you the jesus bar.... which I wanted for my pasengers due to my offroad antics

[stumagoo]

So I was wrong - again.

It appears that the powers that be may accept Stu's modification of simply removing the airbag, but it reads that they may expect to see the non-airbag steering wheel rather than removing / deactivating the airbag.

Is the NL non-airbag steering wheel the same as all earlier Gen 2s?

yes but no ---- it bolts on the same but is a 4 spoke wheel the earlier is a 3 spoke ---- accept for the odd import exceed that has a drivers airbag


the steering wheel in a non airbag NL is the same - it has a bracket to be swapped but its easy to swap them---- I have an Exceed wodgrain and leather airbag wheel with the non airbag center - I just needed the bracket and the horn pad --- it fitted straight in

low end blister side and escapes had these wheel centers


it seems to me that removal and retrofitting may be a viable option we just need to find out how to get it accepted

[damo03]

Here's a NL GLS that doesn't have the airbags. See how the wheel is identical except it doesn't have the SRS airbag symbol in the lower centre of the horn pad.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/1998-mitsubishi-pajero-gls-nl-manual-4x4/SSE-AD-6487914/?Cr=9

[stumagoo]

also does not have a passenger side airbag ---- which use the same style canister and egnition as the steering wheel

[stumagoo]

Here's a NL GLS that doesn't have the airbags. See how the wheel is identical except it doesn't have the SRS airbag symbol in the lower centre of the horn pad.

https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/det...-6487914/?Cr=9

being the same fitment and column and a factory option there should be no need for an engineer... as there is no modification required to fit ---- it is a standard mitsi /adr approved option

[stumagoo]

ok NCOP11 VSB14 which is supposed to apply to WA

section 4.9 pager 24

4.9STEERING WHEELS Replacement steering wheels must not affect compliance with ADR10 (after 1970) and ADR69 (after June 1995). Unless a steering wheel is marked, or has accompanying information, as having been tested to the appropriate ADR, it must not be used as a replacement. In addition, for vehicles required to comply with ADR 69,the steering wheel assembly must be identical to one fitted as an option to the same model by the vehicle manufacturer, or alternatively, a steering wheel that has been certified by the replacement wheel manufacturer as a complying wheel for the specific make and model may be used. Replacement steering wheels should not be less than 330mm in diameter. If the original steering wheel was designed with a recessed or padded hub, the replacement wheel should be of a similar design.Removable steering wheels must not be fitted.

this clearly states that if available as an option then it can be fitted to another vehicle. now we just have to get the authorities to allow it

https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/.../NCOP11_Section_LS...

[gemster]

I wonder if the buy-back only applies to registered Cars... If not I know where 2 NL's with airbags are and I could make some good $$ on-selling them to MM...

I really hope you Fellas that are caught up in this have a happy outcome and can keep them on the road...
I feel that there should be another option than JUST a buy-back as you are being forced into a corner with no Escape..(no pun intended)

Im also curious as what 'Guide' they will use to establish the buy-back amount.. As when I had my little prang, the Insurance Co said My NL was worth $3900... But I got this bumped up to $6000 with the 'Improvements' fitted to it..

Gemster...

[98NL GL]

Queensland is ok as of their guides in 2017 (cant link as its a PDF download only)

but it states here v> It is acceptable to replace a vehicle’s steering wheel without specific approval, provided the replacement steering wheel
does not affect compliance with ADR 10 (after 1970) and ADR 69 (after June 1995). Unless a steering wheel is marked or
has accompanying information indicating it has been tested to the appropriate ADR, it must not be used as a replacement.
In addition, for vehicles required to comply with ADR 69, the steering wheel assembly must be identical to one fitted as an Minor Modifications – VSI G19.7 - 6 -
option to the same model by the vehicle manufacturer, or alternatively, a steering wheel that has been certified by the
replacement wheel manufacturer as a complying wheel for the specific make and model may be used.
Replacement steering wheels should not be less than 330mm in diameter. If the original steering wheel was designed with
a recessed or padded hub, the replacement wheel should be of a similar design.

Thank God for that...I will go ahead and change to a non airbag steering wheel next week.

[tomwithannl]

stumagoo.
Your doing well, almost up to where I am

Fact 1
ADR10 applied to vehicles manufactured after 1988 but did not apply to off road passenger vehicles class MC.
Fact2
ADR 69 Applied to off road passenger vehicles MC BUT ONLY FOR "NEW MODELS" from 1/1998!
As NLs were first produced in 1997 it made them a "current model" so this ADR does not apply. But this was still only a basic crash test and air bags were not required on any vehicle for it to pass.
Fact3
ADR 73 Applied to passenger cars only!(and only from 2000) Off road vehicles were exempt and was the first ADR that incorporated wording with regards the requirements for manufacturers that did fit air bags to there cars. It was NOT an ADR that made airbags mandatory. There still isn't one.

Putting it basically the MMAL NL Pajero built between 1997 and 2000 did NOT require airbags to meet any applicable ADR's at the time of manufacture.

That's the facts as can be checked by anyone looking on the Australian Government Federal Register of Legislation._
__________________________________________________ ________________

I even read into it that the NL did not have to meet ANY frontal impact ADR's at all (they were either not applicable or exempt)


Now my interpretation (and what I have sent to the ACCC) is that if an NL pajero that had the SRS airbag option fitted has them removed and any replaced parts are from the equivalent model that did not have the SRS airbag option that vehicle would still meet the required ADR's for its date of manufacture.
(Just like you have done stumagoo)

Now, that is how I have worded it for the bureaucrats but reading the relevant ADR's CLOSELY not only is removing the SRS airbags fully legal the fact is there there were NO ADR's that covered NL Pajeros with regards frontal impact between 1997 and 2000.

I think the answer is to simply remove the SRS air bag from the drivers side, (you could fit a non airbag wheel of any kind, as long as it met AS), disconnect the passengers side airbag, just put a bit of tape or a sticker over the SRS writing, remove the SRS globe and present their car to a MMAL dealer and simply state that "This car does not have an air bag fitted and I wish to have my vehicle VIN removed from the recall list.

If nobody else wants to try I will be later next week....... if I am not in surgery and if I am this will be a low priority as I wont be allowed to drive for at least 4 weeks.)

Tom

[tomwithannl]

I wonder if the buy-back only applies to registered Cars... If not I know where 2 NL's with airbags are and I could make some good $$ on-selling them to MM...

I really hope you Fellas that are caught up in this have a happy outcome and can keep them on the road...
I feel that there should be another option than JUST a buy-back as you are being forced into a corner with no Escape..(no pun intended)

Im also curious as what 'Guide' they will use to establish the buy-back amount.. As when I had my little prang, the Insurance Co said My NL was worth $3900... But I got this bumped up to $6000 with the 'Improvements' fitted to it..

Gemster...

Yes, they have to be registered (and there is a short time for unregistered) and the starting point is the market value. They usually use red book as a guide. There is negotiation depending on condition. I don't think it will come to this!

Tom

[stumagoo]

ADR do not demand a drivers airbag in MC vehicles - that is 4x4's - (not sure about others) Landrover Discos met ADR69 with no airbags as late as 2016 --- 7x series landcruisers met the impact rules until a similar time and I suspect both could after this but airbags are being used now to not just meet ADR's but to improve ancap ratings for ease of sales