Side Air Bag Module: Removal

WARNING: Always carry or place a live air bag module with the air bag and deployment door/trim cover/tear seam pointed away from the body. Do not set a live air bag module down with the deployment door/trim cover/tear seam face down. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Never probe the electrical connectors on air bag, Safety Canopy® or side air curtain modules. Failure to follow this instruction may result in the accidental deployment of these modules, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death.

WARNING: Front seat backrest trim covers installed on seats equipped with seat side air bags cannot be repaired. A new trim cover must be installed. Cleaning is permissible. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side air bag module deploying incorrectly and increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

NOTE: If a side air bag deployment took place, a new seat backrest foam pad, backrest cover, deployment chute and side air bag module and nuts must be installed. The seat backrest frame should be replaced if necessary.

NOTE: The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

Remove the seat backrest. For additional information, refer to SEAT BACKREST -- FRONT Front Seat Backrest in the Removal and Installation .
Disengage the backrest cover lower J-clip and route the wire harness(es) and air hoses (if equipped) out of the hole(s) in the backrest cover.

Fig 1: Locating Backrest Cover Lower J-Clip, Wire Harness And Air Hoses
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
On each side, separate the backrest cover clip and hook-and-loop strips.

Fig 2: Locating Backrest Cover Clip And Hook-And-Loop Strips
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 3 first-row hog rings

Fig 3: Locating First Row Hog Rings
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Invert the backrest cover up and remove the 3 second row hog rings.

Fig 4: Locating Second Row Hog Rings
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
From the rear of the backrest, disengage the backrest cover J-clip.

Fig 5: Locating Backrest Cover J-Clip With Backrest Frame Wire
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the outboard pin-type retainer.

Fig 6: Locating Outboard Pin-Type Retainer
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disengage the side air bag module wire harness retainers from the backrest frame.

Fig 7: Locating Side Air Bag Module Wire Harness Retainers At Backrest Frame
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the nuts, side air bag module and wire harness.

Fig 8: Locating Nuts, Side Air Bag Module And Wire Harness
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the side air bag module from the deployment chute.