Dodge Durango

 Service Manual

Passive Restraint Systems » Description and operation
Passenger side airbag module

DESCRIPTION

The passenger side airbag door on the instrument panel above the glove box is the most visible part of the passenger side airbag system. Located under the airbag door are the passenger side airbag cushion and the airbag cushion supporting components.

The passenger side airbag module includes an extruded aluminum housing within which the cushion and inflator are mounted and sealed. The airbag housing extrusion also includes two flanges. The flanges, one at the top and one at the bottom, serve as the mounting brackets for the module. Two stamped metal brackets, one on each end of the housing, enclose the cushion and inflator. The passenger side airbag module upper bracket is secured beneath the instrument panel top pad with rivets to a flange and bracket on the passenger side airbag door. The lower bracket is secured with screws to the instrument panel structural duct.

Following a passenger side airbag deployment, the passenger side airbag module and the instrument panel assembly must be replaced. The passenger side airbag module cannot be repaired, and must be replaced if deployed or in any way damaged.

OPERATION

The hybrid-type inflator assembly includes a small canister of highly compressed argon gas. The inflator seals the hole in the airbag cushion so it can discharge the gas it produces directly into the cushion when supplied with the proper electrical signal. Following an airbag deployment, the airbag cushion quickly deflates by venting this gas through the porous fabric material used on each end panel of the airbag cushion.

The molded plastic passenger side airbag door is secured to the instrument panel top cover with rivets.

The airbag door has predetermined breakout lines concealed beneath its decorative cover. Upon airbag deployment, the airbag door will split at the breakout lines and the door will pivot out of the way.

The passenger side airbag door is serviced only as a unit with the instrument panel top cover.

Airbag system

Driver side airbag module

Passenger side airbag module

Airbag control module

Clockspring