Front Seat Backrest: Disassembly

WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water afterwards.

WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.

NOTE: Driver seat is shown, passenger seat is similar.

NOTE: .

Remove the seat and deactivate the SRS. For additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT .
Remove the front cushion side shield. For additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT CUSHION - SIDE SHIELD .
Pressing the release button, pull the head restraint from the seat.

Fig 1: Removing Head Restraint
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the seat backrest. For additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT BACKREST .
Remove the safety belt guide screw cover.

Fig 2: Removing Safety Belt Guide Screw Cover
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the two screws.

Fig 3: Removing Safety Belt Guide
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Release the backrest upholstery J-clip.

Fig 4: Releasing Backrest Upholstery J-Clip
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Use care when separating the backrest upholstery from the hook and loop fasteners to avoid tearing the fastener off the seat foam.

Fig 5: Separating Hook And Loop Fasteners

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Separate the hook and loop fasteners that attach the upholstery to the backrest cushion. Remove the upholstery.
Remove and discard the hog rings. Remove the backrest cushion.

Fig 6: Removing Hog Rings
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Release the side air bag module electrical harness from the seat frame.
- To aid installation, mark the electrical harness-to-seat frame attachment points.
  
  Fig 7: Releasing Side Air Bag Module Electrical Harness
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the two side air bag module nuts.

Fig 8: Removing Two Side Air Bag Module Nuts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Pull down on the lower rung of the lumbar basket to release the basket from the backrest frame. Remove the basket from the backrest frame.

Fig 9: Removing Basket From Backrest Frame
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The inboard and outboard head restraint guides are not interchangeable.

Fig 10: Removing Head Restraint Guides

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Mark the inboard and outboard head restraint guides. Squeeze together the bottom end of the head restraint guide. Push the guide through backrest frame tube to remove.