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

WARNING: Side air bag modules with damaged covers must be replaced.

WARNING: Front backrest trim covers installed on seats equipped with side air bags cannot be repaired, they are to be replaced (cleaning is permissible).

WARNING: Do not disconnect the wire connector at the side air bag module. This is a permanent connection, doing so may result in air bag accidental deployment, which may result in personal injury.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of personal injury, do not use any memory saver devices.

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 side air bag deployment took place the backrest foam pad, trim cover and side air bag module must be replaced. The backrest frame should be replaced 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: Driver seat shown, passenger seat similar.

Remove the front seat and depower the SRS. For additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT in this article.
Remove the front seat backrest. For additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT BACKREST in this article.
Remove the head restraint.
Remove the 2 safety belt guide screw covers.
Remove the 2 screws and the safety belt guide cover.
Remove and discard the hog rings.
1. Reach a hand under the trim cover and separate the hook and loop strips.
2. Peel up the backrest trim cover in an inside-out fashion to the row of hog rings.
3. Remove all the hog rings.
  
  Fig 1: Removing Hog Rings
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

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

NOTE: The head restraint sleeves incorporate an alignment tab that must face forward when installed.

Fig 2: Identifying Tip Of Head Restraint Sleeves

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Squeeze together the tip of the head restraint sleeve and pull the sleeve out of the backrest frame tube.
Remove the backrest trim cover.
Remove all the hog rings. Remove the backrest foam pad.

Fig 3: Removing Backrest Foam Pad
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
If equipped, remove the backrest heater element from the backrest foam pad as necessary.
Remove the lumbar assembly from the backrest frame.
Detach the side air bag wire harness from the backrest frame.
Remove the 2 side air bag module nuts and the side air bag module.