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

NOTE: If a seat equipped with an SRS component is being serviced, the supplemental restraint system (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: Driver side shown, passenger side similar.

All vehicles

Position the seat to access the fasteners.
Depower the SRS. For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
Remove the affected seat. For additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT .
Remove the front seat backrest. For additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT BACKREST .
Pull the head restraint out to end of travel. Press the release button and the pull head restraint rod past its stop position.

Fig 1: Pressing Release Button
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the two screws, pull the bottom out and lift up to remove the backrest panel.

Fig 2: Removing Screws
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Release the four J-clips (three shown).

Fig 3: Releasing J-Clips
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Invert the seat backrest cover to the top of the seat backrest.
From inside the seat backrest, pinch the headrest guide pin ends and remove the sleeves. Remove the seat backrest cover.

Fig 4: Removing Seat Backrest Cover
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Police vehicles

Remove the head restraint locking clip (outboard side driver, inboard side passenger).

Fig 5: Removing Head Restraint Locking Clip
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Pull the head restraint out to end of travel. Press the release button and then pull the head restraint rod past its stop position.

Fig 6: Pulling Head Restraint
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
From inside the seat backrest, pinch the headrest guide pin ends and remove the sleeves. Remove the seat backrest cover.

Fig 7: Removing Seat Backrest Cover
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with heated seats

Remove the seat backrest foam pad and remove the heated seat element, if necessary.

Fig 8: Removing Seat Backrest Foam Pad
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with seat side air bags

NOTE: Install new side air bag nuts if installing a new side air bag module. If the existing side air bag is being reinstalled, retain the existing nuts.

Fig 9: Removing Side Air Bag Module Nuts

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the side air bag module nuts.
Position the side air bag module and deployment chute away from the mounting bracket and seat back frame.

Fig 10: Positioning Side Air Bag Module
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the seat back trim cover and seat back pad forward enough to access the side air bag module.

Fig 11: Positioning Seat Back Trim Cover
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the side air bag module from the deployment chute.
- Pull the side air bag module mounting studs back through the deployment chute openings and remove the side air bag module from the deployment chute.
Fig 12: Removing Side Air Bag Module From Deployment Chute
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect and remove the side air bag module.

Fig 13: Removing Side Air Bag Module
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with power lumbar

Detach the lumbar motor bracket clip.

Fig 14: Detaching Lumbar Motor Bracket Clip
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the electrical connector.

Fig 15: Disconnecting Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Detach the two lumbar support bracket clips and slide the lumbar assembly up and off.

Fig 16: Detaching Lumbar Support Bracket Clips
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Marauder

NOTE: When removing the three lower support spring clips they must be replaced.

Remove the three lower clips on the seat back support spring and unclip the top hook.

Fig 17: Removing Lower Clips

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.