Lowering an airbag steering column
Turbo Mini Forums

Can this be done?

I know you cant use the brackets that are used to lower non airbag column, but I thought I had heard a while back that it was still possible to lower them using a 'lowering block'?

I have looked through the trader in this months Mini Mag, but cant find any listed. Is there any chance someone could point me in the direction of a supplier of these blocks?

thanks.

I personally would advise against doing this.

The airbag system in my opinion is not something that should be tampered with in any way except by the experts who design it in the first place.

But I cant see half the dials as it is, and now that I have ordered some brackets to move the seats back a bit, I'll be able to see even less!!!

I'm not going to be fiddling with the airbag, just the column that the wheel the airbag is in is attached to. Does the column play any part in the airbags action?

Yes of course the column is associated with the airbag, when the airbag deploys it comes out towards you, something has to support and react against its movement.

In addition the airbag will be designed so as when it inflates it is in the right place to cushion your head. If you change the angle of the steering column then this will move the airbag and alter its effectiveness in a big shunt.

The reason the MPi column is different to that fitted in the earlier cars is that it is stronger, and also has beefed up mountings, presumably to cope with the force of the airbag deploying.

At the end of the day its your car and your life so do as you please, but as I said above, personally I wouldn't mess with it (and my car has this steering column and MPi airbag wheel fitted) and I will not be messing with it on my own car.

I get ya points about the stronger mount, but may be that is why I had heard about the use of a block rather than a bracket? Unfortunately I cant remember who told me or where I might have read it.

They might not even exist, and I may be wasting my time searching :(

Minispeed sell a sturdy bracket for MPis...

The issue is with strength of the original type column lowering kits and the airbag - so this new one is more a solid block and is not adjustable :)

AlexF

Cheers Alex.

Now maybe I can start driving the Mini in a bit of comfort

I can see tom getting wound up in a minute and i can see why but also maybe something worth considering is that although the air bag was designed to go off and support you in the right position, if you change the seat and or position it may be in the wrong place. Personally i wouldn't mess with it or just not use an air bag..

After having worked in the crash safety section for Nissan for the past 5 years I would advise against changing the angle of the column for the following reasons:
- The shape and deployment behaviour has been tuned to suit all occupants, obviously this depends on the position of the occupant (seat slide, height etc) keeping the column where it is reduces the variables
- Airbags are very position sensitive during the inflation stage, change this and you are likely to miss the airbag when you really need it.
- The column in the mini doessn't collapse so Rover did their best to keep it anchored in place and avoid it moving rearwards during the impact

Above all OEM's spend ££££££'s developing safety systems to work effectively-please don't change it!

but surely if you change the seating arrangement then that has the same effect. you "may" improve this by lowering the column.

I dont know and have said do or dont!!!

Its an open can of worms but from my experience nearly all OEM solutions cater for all scenarios. Without specific information of the airbag system behaviour it is impossible to judge what lowering the column will do for any particular geometry. Also be aware (although I am not sure about Rover mini) that seatbelts are usually equipped with seatbelt load limiters when used in conjunction with airbags. The load limiter allows the seatbelt to "spool" out during a crash as some of the restraint will be from the airbag. Remove the airbag and you run the risk of chest contact to the steering wheel.
Best option in a mini is not to crash.... :)

The Rover minis do have seat belt pre-tensioners, not sur about the load limit device you mention though Paul.

AlexF

I know for a fact they have pre-tensioners on the front belts, yes.

Don't know regarding the load limiters.

I think Toms quote could be further clarified by stating the Rover MPi Minis had pre-tensioners...

I think you just have to answer the following questions:
- By moving the column is it likely to effect the performance of the airbag? - Yes
- By moving the seat is it likely to effect the performance of the airbag? - Yes
- With the seat and column moved is it still better to have the airbag then not, and is it more dangerous to have it there then not? This is a matter of judgment.

IMO the airbag has been designed to cope with lots of different people and seat positions. A 6'6" man and 4'8" woman will sit in totally different positions (hence the talk of load limiters, which I have not head of tbh)

On balance I think I would be happy moving the seat and column. In fact I would say once you have moved/changed the seat then the column has to be moved. To find out where it needs to be you will need MIRA to smash up a few Minis for you. Just my opinion, no sicence.

http://www.twin-turbo.co.uk
http://www.hillclimbandsprint.co.uk/default.asp

A man without a project is like a like a woman without a shopping list.

Overall guys minis are not very safe!

Being properly seated and comfortable is very important as it allows the driver to do the job properly!

Alex

AlexF

wow, can of worms or what! Wasnt expecting a big debate on the subject as I'd never really considered the airbag going off.

But something I have just thought of though - a lot of new cars that have airbags also have adjustable steering columns with 2 or 3 inches of movement. Surely the block for the Mini steering column is only doing the same thing? Not saying anyone is right or wrong, just putting my thoughts across