Disassembly and Assembly: Notes

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mercury Mountaineer and 2003 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.
The side impact sensors (if equipped) are located at or near the base of the B-pillars and C-pillars.
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).

Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301) and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM .

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, notes, and instructions in the supplemental restraint system (SRS) deactivation/reactivation procedure.

Deactivate the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEACTIVATION AND REACTIVATION .

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions, notes, and instructions in the seat removal and installation procedure.

Remove the front seat. For additional information, refer to DRIVER SEAT .
Remove the front seat backrest. For additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT CUSHION .
Disassemble the components in the order listed in the following illustration and table. To remove individual components, carry out only the following steps:

Fig 1: Identifying Driver Seat Components Disassembly Steps
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Fig 2: Disassembling Order Of Driver Seats
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Make sure the battery negative cable is still disconnected before continuing with the installation portion of this procedure.

To assemble, reverse the disassembly procedure.
Connect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM .
Remove the restraint system diagnostic tool from the vehicle harness side of the front safety belt buckle pretensioner electrical connector.

Fig 3: Removing Restraint System Diagnostic Tool
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Connect the front safety belt buckle pretensioner electrical connector.

Fig 4: Connecting Front Safety Belt Buckle Pretensioner Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
With the restraint system diagnostic tools installed at the remaining deployable devices, prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM .

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions, notes, and instructions in the supplemental restraint system (SRS) deactivation/reactivation procedure.

Reactivate the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEACTIVATION AND REACTIVATION .
Connect the battery ground cable. For additional information, refer to BATTERY AND CHARGING SYSTEM .

WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service only. Remove from the vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.

With all the restraint system diagnostic tools removed, prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .