How to get to front airbag impact sensors

[BRsilverado]

Hi all! I have owned my 2015 Silverado 1500 for over three years now. Bought it new, no problems since. I love my Silverado!

 

Recently, after a drained battery, the service airbag message appears after each startup. After reading the trouble code, B0083 showed up.  This appears to be the driver's side impact sensor.  

 

The problem is, these sensors are damn hard to get to.  On older models, they are held in place by 10mm bolts, which can be access from the bottom of the truck after removing the skid plate (as shown by quite a few youtube videos).  However, on newer models, things changed -- both the sensor and the fixture. The sensors equipped on my truck look like this one: https://www.ebay.com/i/142977871473?chn=ps .   I have also attached a picture showing how one of these is installed on my truck. As you can see, the head of the bolt is on the OTHER side of the radiator support.

 

My question is: how can these sensors be removed? Is it something easy or do I have to remove the radiator first?

 

Many thanks in advance.

[Hillwood]

15 hours ago, BRsilverado said:

Hi all! I have owned my 2015 Silverado 1500 for over three years now. Bought it new, no problems since. I love my Silverado!

 

Recently, after a drained battery, the service airbag message appears after each startup. After reading the trouble code, B0083 showed up.  This appears to be the driver's side impact sensor.  

 

The problem is, these sensors are damn hard to get to.  On older models, they are held in place by 10mm bolts, which can be access from the bottom of the truck after removing the skid plate (as shown by quite a few youtube videos).  However, on newer models, things changed -- both the sensor and the fixture. The sensors equipped on my truck look like this one: https://www.ebay.com/i/142977871473?chn=ps .   I have also attached a picture showing how one of these is installed on my truck. As you can see, the head of the bolt is on the OTHER side of the radiator support.

 

My question is: how can these sensors be removed? Is it something easy or do I have to remove the radiator first?

 

Many thanks in advance.

You see the torx head on the end of the bolt?  Get the right size socket on it and turn it clockwise to loosen the bolt.. The hole above is slotted so you can slide it out and it will drop down .

[BRsilverado]

49 minutes ago, Hillwood said:

You see the torx head on the end of the bolt?  Get the right size socket on it and turn it clockwise to loosen the bolt.. The hole above is slotted so you can slide it out and it will drop down .

Great insight! Thx!

[ksiesel]

This would be a really good one to make a video of the process and make it a sticky.