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

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 side air bag deployment took place, a new side air bag module and bolt must be installed. The side air bag module bracket on the backrest frame should be inspected and replaced if necessary.

NOTE: If a seat equipped with a 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 SRS fault.

NOTE: The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

NOTE: The manual recliners and power recliners are serviced as part of the backrest frame.

NOTE: Driver seat shown, passenger seat similar.

All seats

Remove the front seat and depower the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to SEAT - FRONT .
Remove the front seat backrest. For additional information, refer to SEAT BACKREST - FRONT .

Seat with side air bag

Detach the side air bag bolt cover.

NOTE: Note the position of the side air bag module locator hook in the side air bag module bracket (on the seat back frame) for installation.

Remove the bolt and lift up and out to detach the side air bag module from the seat backrest.
Slide and disengage the side air bag module electrical connector locking clip, and then release the tab and disconnect the side air bag module electrical connector and remove the side air bag module.

All seats

Detach the 2 pin-type retainers and trim cover flaps from the recliners, if equipped.

CAUTION: Use care when separating the backrest trim cover from the hook and loop strip, or the hook and loop strip can be torn from the backrest foam pad.

Fig 1: Locating Outer And Inner Backrest Trim Cover Lower J-Clips

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Release the outer and inner backrest trim cover lower J-clips and partially invert the trim cover to the hook and loop strips.

NOTE: The head restraint guides are not interchangeable. Note location for installation.

Fig 2: Removing Head Restraint Guides From Backrest Frame

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Reach up into the backrest and squeeze the head restraint guide ends together to release. Pull the 2 head restraint guides out of the backrest frame.

CAUTION: Use care when separating the seat back trim cover from the hook and loop strip, or the hook and loop strip can be torn from the backrest foam pad.

Remove all rows of hog rings from the backrest trim cover, if equipped and separate the hook and loop strips while inverting the trim cover up the backrest.
Remove the rear upper hog rings and backrest trim cover.

Heated seat

Detach pin-type retainer and backrest heater mat wiring harness from the backrest frame.

All seats

Separate the backrest foam pad from the backrest frame.
- If equipped with climate controlled seats, remove the hog rings from the upper support spring.
- If necessary, remove the backrest heater mat (if equipped) or the backrest climate controlled seat manifold (if equipped) from the foam pad.

Seat with side air bag

NOTE: Note the side air bag module wire harness routing for assembly.

Release the side air bag module wire harness pin-type retainers and remove the side air bag module wiring harness from the backrest frame.

All seats

Release the 2 lumbar spring clips from the backrest frame and remove the lumbar assembly.
- Route out the lumbar cable from the backrest frame, if equipped.
  - Note the routing of the lumbar cable for installation.
- Disconnect the electrical connector from the power lumbar motor, if equipped.
  
  Fig 3: Releasing Lumbar Spring Clips
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Climate controlled seat

Disconnect the backrest thermo-electric device (TED) assembly electrical connector and detach the wiring harness retainers.

Fig 4: Locating Backrest TED Assembly Electrical Connector And Wiring Harness Retainer
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the TED exhaust duct.
- Cut and remove the tie strap.
- Remove the retainer and separate the exhaust duct from the TED.

NOTE: Note the TED position on the support spring for installation. If needed, use an appropriate tool and separate the TED from the upper backrest support spring.

Disconnect the backrest upper support spring from the backrest frame and remove the spring support with the TED attached.

Seat with power recliner

Remove the one-way push clip on the RH side of the power recliner. Slide the recliner shaft out from the LH side of the seat enough to clear the RH recliner and power recline motor.
Disconnect the electrical connector, remove the bolt and the power recline motor.

Seat with side air bag

Remove the 2 nuts and side air bag mounting bracket.

All seats

Detach any pin-type retainers, route out and remove the wiring harness, if equipped.