Side Air Bag Module: Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2010 Lincoln Town Car. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

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.

WARNING: If the seat side air bag cover has been damaged or separated from its mounting, or if the air bag material has been exposed, install a new seat side air bag module. Never try to repair the seat side air bag module. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side air bag deploying incorrectly, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

Connect the side air bag module electrical connector.

WARNING: Before installing the seat side air bag module/deployment chute assembly:

Inspect the side air bag module and mounting surfaces for any damage or foreign material.
Remove any foreign material from the mounting surfaces of the deployment chute, the seat backrest frame mounting bracket and the air bag module cavity in the seat backrest foam pad.
Install new parts if damaged.

Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side air bag deploying incorrectly, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

Position the side air bag module onto the front seat backrest frame mounting bracket.

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

Install the side air bag module retaining nuts.
- Tighten to 7 Nm (62 lb-in).
Reposition the seat backrest pad and trim cover to the seat backrest frame.

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.

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

WARNING: If the seat side air bag module deployment chute is not correctly positioned and closed, the seat side air bag module may not deploy correctly. 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 air bag deployment chute.
1. Insert the outboard side of the air bag deployment chute between the seat backrest pad and the side air bag module, pulling it around the outboard side of the seat backrest frame.
2. Insert the inboard side of the air bag deployment chute between the seat backrest pad and the side air bag module from the inboard side of the seat backrest frame.

Fig 1: Identifying Air Bag Deployment Chute Components

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Be sure the side air bag deployment chute is correctly positioned before proceeding to the next step.

Zip the air bag deployment chute completely closed, then position the zipper tail at the top of the air bag deployment chute into the seat backrest opening.
- The air bag deployment chute must encircle the side air bag module, going completely around the side air bag module and the side of the seat backrest frame.
- Align the air bag deployment chute to the side air bag module, making sure it covers the length of the side air bag module, but does not cover the top or the bottom of the side air bag module.

Fig 2: Identifying Side Air Bag Deployment Chute

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Note the alignment of the 2 side J-clips at the top of the seat to avoid bunching.

Attach the seat backrest trim cover J-clips.
- Attach the 2 side J-clips first and then attach the lower J-clip.

Fig 3: Locating Seat Backrest Trim Cover J-Clips

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Repower the SRS. For additional information, refer to Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering and Repowering .