Front Seat Backrest

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 Lincoln LS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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

WARNING: The safety belt pretensioner is a pyrotechnic device. Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag equipped vehicle and when handling a safety belt buckle pretensioner or safety belt retractor pretensioner. Never probe a pretensioner electrical connector. Doing so could result in pretensioner or air bag deployment and could result in personal injury.

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

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: Carry a live air bag module with the air bag and trim cover 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 air bag module down with the trim cover face down. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

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.

CAUTION: Do not handle or lift the seat by the inboard side shield or a torque tube (seat track motor cable and housing). Care must be taken when handling or lifting the seat to prevent damage.

NOTE: If a side air bag deployment took place, the seatback pad, trim cover and side air bag module must be replaced. The seatback frame should be replaced if necessary.

NOTE: If a seat equipped with a seat mounted side air bag and/or a safety belt pretensioner (if equipped) system 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: The driver seat is shown, the passenger seat is similar.

NOTE: A seat side air bag module is shown, a seat side thorax air bag module is similar. For additional information, refer to the Description and Operation portion of AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .

Remove the front seat and depower the SRS. For additional information, refer to DRIVER SEAT .
Remove the front seat backrest. for additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT CUSHION - DRIVER or front seat cushion - passenger.

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)

CAUTION: When removing the seat back trim panel, be careful not to damage the J-hooks. If the seat back trim panel J-hooks are damaged, install a new seat back trim panel.

NOTE: If installing a new side air bag module, use new retaining nuts. If the same side air bag module is to be reused then reuse the side air bag module nuts.

Fig 1: Identifying Removing Sequence Of Front Seat Backrest

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Disassemble the parts in the order listed in the following illustration and table.

To remove individual parts, only carry out the listed steps:

PARTS REMOVING STEPS

Part	Steps
Blower assembly, ventilation air-upper	1-4
Power lumbar assembly	1 -8, 10, 11
Manual lumbar assembly	1-8, 12

WARNING: Inspect the mounting surfaces of the side air bag module for any foreign objects before installing the side air bag module. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment

WARNING: Inspect the side air bag deployment chute and the side air bag cavity in the seat back pad for any foreign objects. If any foreign objects are found remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.

WARNING: Before installing the side air bag module into the deployment chute, check it for damage and foreign objects. If the air bag module is damaged, replace it. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.

WARNING: If the air bag cover has separated or the air bag material has been exposed, install a new side air bag module. Do not attempt to repair the air bag module. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.

WARNING: Check the side air bag deployment chute for damage. The deployment chute must not be repaired. If there is any damage to the deployment chute, the seat back trim cover and deployment chute must be installed new as a unit.

WARNING: If the air bag deployment chute is not properly positioned, the side air bag may not deploy properly.

WARNING: Inspect the mounting surfaces of the deployment chute and the seat back frame mounting bracket for any foreign objects, before installing the side air bag module/deployment chute assembly. If any foreign objects are found, remove them. Failure to do so may result in personal injury, in the event of an air bag deployment.

NOTE: The alignment pin will only allow the side air bag module to be installed to the seat back mounting bracket one way.

To assemble, reverse the disassembly procedure.
Install the front seat backrest. For additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT CUSHION - DRIVER or Front Seat Cushion - Passenger.
Install the front seat and repower the SRS. For additional information, refer to DRIVER SEAT .

Item 1: Backrest Trim Panel Disassembly Note

CAUTION: Inspect the seat back trim panel for damage. If the J-hooks are damaged or the pin-type retainers remained in the seat frame, install a new panel.

Remove the seat back trim panel.
1. Holding the panel at bottom center, pull rearward (not up) until both lower attachments are disengaged.
2. While pushing in at the top of the panel, slide the panel down to disengage the upper J-hooks.
3. Remove the panel.
  - Inspect the lower panel attachments. If either pin-type retainer remained in the seat frame, install a new panel.
  - Inspect the upper panel attachments. If either J-hook is cracked or damaged, install a new panel.
  - Before installing the panel, install new pin-type retainers.
    
    Fig 2: Installing Pin-Type Retainers
    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Item 6: Head Restraint Sleeves Disassembly Note

Pinch the end of the head restraint sleeves and remove.

Fig 3: Removing Head Restraint Sleeves

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Item 7: Backrest Trim Cover Disassembly Note

Remove and discard the hog rings. Remove backrest trim cover from the foam pad.

Fig 4: Removing Backrest Trim Cover From Foam Pad
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Item 14: Seat Side Air Bag or Thorax Side Air Bag Nuts Disassembly Note

If installing a new seat side air bag module or thorax side air bag module, use new retaining nuts. If the same seat side air bag module or thorax side air bag module is to be reused then reuse the seat side air bag module or thorax side air bag module nuts.

Item 15: Seat Side Air Bag Module or Thorax Side Air Bag Module Disassembly Note

Remove the side air bag module or thorax side air bag module from the deployment chute.
1. Separate the side air bag module or thorax side air bag module and deployment chute from the seat back mounting bracket.
2. Pull the side air bag module or thorax side air bag module mounting studs back through the deployment chute openings and remove the side air bag module or thorax side air bag module from the deployment chute.
  
  Fig 5: Removing Side Air Bag Module Or Thorax Side Air Bag Module From Deployment Chute
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Item 16: Connector Disassembly Note

Squeeze the tabs together, disconnect and remove the side air bag module or thorax side air bag module.

Fig 6: Removing Side Air Bag Module Or Thorax Side Air Bag Module
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Item 1: Backrest Trim Panel Assembly Note

CAUTION: Inspect the seat back trim panel for damage. If the J-hooks are damaged or the pin-type retainers stayed in the seat frame, install a new panel.

Align the seat back trim panel J-hooks to the seat back frame at the top and engage the pin-type retainers at the bottom of the seat back frame.
- Inspect the lower panel attachments. If either pin-type retainer remained in the seat frame, install a new panel.
  - Inspect the upper panel attachments. If either J-hook is cracked or damaged, install a new panel.
  - Before installing the panel, install new pin-type retainers.