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Front Seat Backrest: Notes

Special Tool(s) 

Fig 1: Identifying Front Seat Backrest Special Tools
G01530599Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
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.
NOTE: If a side air bag deployment took place the seat back pad, trim cover, and side air bag module must be replaced. The seat back frame should be replaced if necessary.
NOTE: Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and perform the diagnostic procedure again.
NOTE: The driver seat is shown, the passenger seat is similar.
    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 are attached to the rocker panels, near the seats. 

    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). 

  1. Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301) and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to BATTERY & CHARGING SYSTEM .
    2. 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.
  2. Deactivate the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEACTIVATION AND REACTIVATION .
    3. 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.
  3. Remove the front seat. For additional information, refer to DRIVER SEAT .
  4. Remove the front seat backrest. For additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT CUSHION .
  5. Disassemble the components in the order listed in the figure below. To remove individual components, carry out only the following steps:
    Fig 2: Front Seat Backrest Components Removal Chart
    G01530600Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    Fig 3: Front Seat Backrest Components Removal Sequence
    G01530601Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
    6. 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).
    WARNING: Do not disconnect the wire connector at the side air bag module. This is a permanent connection, doing so may result in air bag accidental deployment, which may result in personal injury.
    WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions and notes at the beginning of the removal procedure.
    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.
  6. To assemble, reverse the disassembly procedure.
  7. Install the front seat backrest. For additional information, refer to FRONT SEAT CUSHION .
    8. 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.
    NOTE: Make sure the battery negative cable is still disconnected before continuing with the installation portion of this procedure.
  8. Install the front seat. For additional information, refer to DRIVER SEAT .
    9. 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.
  9. Reactivate the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEACTIVATION AND REACTIVATION .
    10. 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.
  10. With all the restraint system diagnostic tools removed, prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS .
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