Removing and installing head airbag: Audi A2
Step-by-step removing and installing head airbag for the Audi A2: 30 steps, 1 torque figure. What to remove, what to tighten and to how many Nm, what to.
The head airbag on these cars runs along the roof edge with its gas generator tucked into the D-pillar, and on the platform codes listed below getting to it means stripping most of the rear and upper interior. If the radio or navigation is coded, the code is checked first, then the battery earth is disconnected and the terminal covered. The rear cross panel trim, rear seat bench, wheel housing trim, luggage floor lining and luggage compartment trim come out, followed by the D-, C-, upper B- and upper A-pillar trims and the headliner. The airbag is then unbolted, set on the seats, unplugged and swung out of the D-pillar. Refitting follows a fixed sequence: generator into the D-pillar, three bolts loose, the 4.5 Nm bolts, then the three bolts firmly.
🧭 Before you start
Note the radio code, disconnect and cover the battery earth, then strip the rear trims, pillar trims and headliner. Remove bolts (5) and (2), rest the airbag front section on the seats, unplug connector (6), swing the gas generator out of the D-pillar and lift the airbag out. Fit the new unit in sequence: generator into the D-pillar, bolts (2) loosely, bolts (5) at 4.5 Nm, then bolts (2) firmly. Reassemble the interior, switch the ignition on and reconnect the battery with nobody in the car.
Fits: Audi A2 (8Z)
Don't miss
- Check and if necessary obtain the radio or navigation code before disconnecting the battery.
- Keep to the installation sequence: generator in, bolts (2) loose, bolts (5), then bolts (2) tight.
- Bolts (5) are tightened to 4.5 Nm.
- Reconnect the battery with the ignition on and nobody inside the vehicle.
- Handle and store the airbag as a pyrotechnic component at all times.
Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.
🔩 Torque settings
Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.
| Torque | Fastener / step |
|---|---|
| 4.5 Nm (3.3 lb-ft) | Tightening torque |
ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.
📋 Procedure
- ⚠ Always consult current head airbag safety regulations . — On vehicles with encoded radio/radio navigation system (RNS), heed and if necessary establish code.
- Disconnect battery earth strap/cable and cover negative terminal.
- Remove rear cross panel trim .
- Remove rear seat bench .
- Remove wheel housing trim .
- Remove luggage compartment floor lining .
- Remove luggage compartment trim .
- Remove D-pillar trim .
- Remove C-pillar trim .
- Remove upper B-pillar trim .
- Remove upper A-pillar trim .
- Remove moulded headliner .
- Unscrew bolts (5) (2x)
- Unscrew bolts (2) (3x).
- Set down front section of airbag module on seats.
- Unplug connector (6) for head airbag
- Swivel gas generator (7) out of D-pillar
- Take head airbag (1) out of vehicle.
- ⚠ Always keep to head airbag installation sequence. — Take head airbag (1) out of transportation container and secure head airbag (1) in the following sequence.
- Swivel gas generator (7) into D-pillar
- Screw in bolts (2) (3x) loosely at tab (3).
- Screw in bolts (5) (2x)
- Screw in bolts (2) (3x) firmly at tab (3).
- Perform remaining installation operations in reverse order of removal.
- Switch on ignition.
- ⚠ Make sure there is no-one in the vehicle when connecting battery. — Connect battery.
- Bolts (5) (2x)
- Tightening torque 4.5 Nm — 4.5 Nm (3.3 lb-ft)
- Swivel gas generator (7) into D-pillar.
- Press release mechanism (A) and pull out connector in direction of arrow. [Note: Coil connector with slip ring is only to be removed and installed in centre position (wheels in straight-ahead position).New coil connectors with slip ring are secured in centre position with a cable tie or tear-off ring.ESP sensor must be calibrated on vehicles with ESP sensor in coil connector with slip ring.]
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Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.