Seat Recliner Motor: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2015 Lincoln MKS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

1.

NOTE: Do not rotate the recliner motor or recliner motor shafts until the long shaft is connected to the short shaft and sleeve. Failure to do so will cause the inboard and outboard recliners to become out of synchronization.

Install the recline motor in the following sequence.
1. 1.
  
  Connect the recline motor electrical connector.
1. 2.
  
  Slide the long recliner shaft into the recliner and recline motor.
1. 3.
  
  Slide the sleeve and short recliner shaft onto the long recliner shaft.
1. 4.
  
  Slide the recliner shaft assembly into the recliner on the other side.
1. 5.
  
  Position the recline motor and install the bolt.
1. 6.
  
  Install the E-clip on the recliner shaft recession, near the recline motor.

2.

WARNING: Inspect the seat side air bag module cavity in the seat backrest foam pad for any foreign material. If any foreign material is found, remove it. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side air bag module deploying incorrectly and increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

Position the backrest foam pad and backrest trim cover back around the backrest frame.

3.

Pull back the backrest trim cover to expose the slot in the backrest foam pad.

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY

4.

WARNING: If the seat side air bag module deployment chute is not correctly positioned, the seat side air bag may not deploy correctly. Failure to follow this instruction may result in the seat side air bag deploying incorrectly, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

NOTE: The seat side air bag module must have a clear exit path from the front of the deployment chute. Both deployment chute front edges must be positioned to lay flat when positioned between the backrest foam pad and backrest frame.

NOTE: Illustration shown looking through the side of the backrest foam pad and at the side air bag module deployment chute.

NOTE: Passenger seat shown, driver seat similar.

Check the position of the deployment chute.
1. 1.
  
  Position both deployment chute front edges to lay flat, from top to bottom, between the backrest foam pad and backrest frame.
1. 2.
  
  Do not allow the deployment chute front edges to fold over, at any point, between the backrest foam pad and backrest frame.

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY

5.

Fold the backrest trim cover back around the backrest foam pad and backrest frame.
- Make sure both deployment chute front edges do not fold over.

6.

Fasten the backrest trim cover.
- Attach only the lower and side backrest trim cover J-clips to the backrest frame.
  - Do not attach the backrest trim cover upper J-clip to the backrest frame wire at this time.

7.

Install the backrest TED in the following sequence.
1. 1.
  
  Position the backrest TED between the backrest frame and backrest foam pad.
1. 2.
  
  Engage the 2 backrest TED lower clips to the backrest foam pad wire.
1. 3.
  
  Engage the backrest TED upper retainers to the backrest frame wire.
1. 4.
  
  Connect the electrical connector and attach the pin-type retainer to the backrest frame.

8.

Attach the backrest trim cover upper J-clip to the backrest frame wire.

9.

Wrap the backrest trim cover around the recliner and attach the hook-and-loop strips and J-clip to the recliner.
- Make sure both recliner bolt holes are accessible.
- Repeat for the other side.

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR COMPANY

10.

Attach the 2 carpet flap toe-kick J-clips to the backrest wires.

11.

Install the backrest panel in the following sequence.
1. 1.
  
  NOTE: The clips in the middle of the backrest panel can be damaged if the bottom of the backrest panel is not pivoted away from the seat.
  
  Pivot the bottom of the backrest panel out as far as it will go and slide the backrest panel up, engaging the upper retainers on the other side of the backrest frame wires.
1. 2.
  
  Align the backrest panel middle clips to the backrest frame wires.
1. 3.
  
  Align the lower retainers in the backrest panel and push in, engaging the clips.
  - Make sure the clips in the middle of the backrest panel are engaged to the backrest frame wires.

12.

Install the seat backrest. For additional information, refer to Seat Backrest - Front .