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Seat Backrest - Front: 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: Carry a live side air bag module with the air bag and tear seam pointed away from your body. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.
WARNING: Do not set a live side air bag module down on the cover tear seam. 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: To reduce the risk of personal injury, do not use any memory saver devices.
WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.
WARNING: Seat side air bag modules with damaged covers must be replaced.
WARNING: Front seat back trim covers installed on seats equipped with side air bags cannot be repaired, they are to be replaced (cleaning is permissible).
NOTE: If a seat equipped with a supplemental restraint system (SRS) component is being serviced, the SRS must be depowered. 
NOTE: The air bag warning lamp illuminates when the RCM fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate a supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault.
NOTE: The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.
NOTE: If a seat side air bag deployment took place a new seat back pad, trim cover and side air bag module must be installed. Install a new seat back frame if necessary.
NOTE: Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and carry out the diagnostic procedure again.
NOTE: When servicing just the seat side air bag module, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM for the side air bag module removal and installation procedure.
NOTE: Low-back seat shown in illustration, hi-back seat similar.
NOTE: Driver side shown in illustration, passenger side similar.
NOTE: Seat with climate control and manual lumbar shown in illustration, all others similar.

All seats 

  1. Remove the affected seat and depower the SRS. For additional information, refer to SEAT - FRONT .
  2. Remove the front seat backrest. For additional information, refer to SEAT BACKREST - FRONT .
  3. Using a suitable tool, insert in the head restraint sleeve hole and release the tab on the head restraint sleeve. Push the release tab on the other head restraint sleeve and remove the head restraint.
    Fig 1: Removing Head Restraint
    G04010854Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  4. If equipped, remove the 2 covers, 2 screws and the assist handle.
  5. Release the J-clip.
    Fig 2: Releasing J-Clip
    G04010855Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  6. Remove the armrest bolt cover.
  7. Remove the bolt and spring washer and remove the armrest.
  8. If equipped, remove the lumbar knob.
    9. CAUTION: Use care when separating the seat back trim cover from the hook and loop strip or the hook and loop strip could be torn from the seat back foam.
    Fig 3: Separating Hook And Loop Strips
    G04010856Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  9. Invert the backrest trim cover in an inside-out fashion to the row of hog rings.
    • Placing a hand between the seat backrest trim cover and pad, carefully separate the hook and loop strips.
  10. Reach up in the seat backrest and pinch the end of the head restraint sleeves and remove.
    Fig 4: Inverting Backrest Trim Cover
    G03999553Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    11. Seats with seat side air bags 

  11. Release the side air bag module deployment chute clip.
    Fig 5: Identifying Side Air Bag Module Deployment Chute Clip
    G04010859Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    12. All seats 

    WARNING: Front seat back trim covers installed on seats equipped with side air bags cannot be repaired, they are to be replaced (cleaning is permissible).
    Fig 6: Identifying Hog Rings
    G04010857Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  12. Remove and discard the hog rings.
  13. Remove the backrest trim cover.
  14. Remove the 2 hog rings from the lumbar-to-foam pad and remove the backrest foam pad.
    Fig 7: Removing Hog Rings From Lumbar-To-Foam Pad
    G04010989Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  15. If equipped and necessary, remove the backrest heated seat element from the foam pad.

    16. Seats with set side air bags 

    NOTE: When servicing just the seat side air bag module, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM for the side air bag module removal and installation procedure.
    NOTE: If installing a new seat side air bag module, use new retaining nuts. If the same seat side air bag module is to be reused, reuse the seat side air bag module nuts.
  16. Remove the 2 seat side air bag nuts.
    17. WARNING: Do not disconnect the wire connector at the seat side air bag module. This is a permanent connection. Doing so may result in accidental air bag deployment, which may result in personal injury.
  17. Remove the side air bag module with wire harness.

    18. All seats 

  18. Remove the 2 screws and the LH and RH inner shields.

    19. Climate controlled seats 

  19. Remove the thermo-electric device (TED).
  20. Remove the climate controlled seat duct.
  21. Remove the TED retainer clip.

    22. All seats 

  22. If equipped, remove the manual lumbar assembly.
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