Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 Mercury Montego, 2005 Ford Freestyle, and 2005 Ford Five Hundred. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: All safety belt assemblies (including retractors, buckles, belt tension sensor [BTS], if equipped, front seat belt buckle support assemblies [slide bar], if equipped, shoulder belt height adjusters, if equipped, child safety seat tether bracket assemblies, if equipped, and attaching hardware) should be inspected after any collision. Ford recommends new safety belt assemblies be installed unless a qualified technician finds the assemblies show no damage and operate correctly. Safety belt assemblies not in use during a collision should also be inspected and new assemblies installed if either damage or incorrect operation is noted.
The Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) feature of the safety belt retractor must be checked by a qualified technician to verify that the ALR feature for a child seat is functioning correctly, in addition to other checks for correct safety belt system function. A new belt and retractor assembly must be installed if the safety belt assembly's ALR feature or any other safety belt function is not operating correctly when inspected according to the functional inspection procedures in the workshop manual. Failure to install a new belt and retractor assembly could increase the risk of injury in collisions.

Remove the LH and RH head restraints.
Squeeze the opening together and remove the outer safety belt trim guide.
Position the 60 percent seat to the fold flat position.
Place the seat in the E-Z entry position.
From under the seat, release 3 sets of cushion trim cover J-clips.
From under the seat, release the J-clip at the inboard side of the cushion frame.
Pull the cushion trim cover outboard retainer out from between the riser and the cushion frame.

Fig 1: Locating Cushion Trim Cover Outboard Retainer
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the cushion foam pad and cushion trim cover.
Remove the bolt and separate the safety belt anchor and buckle from the inboard recliner.
- To install, tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
Release the 2 backrest trim cover lower J-clips.
Release the 4 backrest trim cover inside J-clips-to-hard back panel.

CAUTION: Use care when separating the seat back trim cover from the hook and loop strip, or the hook and loop strip can be torn from the seat back foam.

Release the hook and loop strips, invert the trim cover and remove the 3 rows of hog rings.
Release the hook and loop strips, invert the trim cover to the top of the backrest.
Remove the 5 screws and hard back panel.

NOTE: The head restraints are not interchangeable.

Squeeze the tabs in and remove the 4 head restraint guides.
Feed the safety belt through and remove the backrest trim cover foam pad.
Remove 3 bolts and safety belt retractor.

NOTE: Make sure the safety belt webbing is not twisted prior to installation.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.
- When installing the safety belt retractor, position the safety belt retractor through the backrest frame.
  - To install, tighten the M10 bolt to 37 Nm (27 lb-ft).
- When installing the inner safety belt guide, position it into the backrest frame slot.
  - To install, tighten the 2 M8 bolts to 23 Nm (17 lb-ft).
    
    Fig 2: Installing Inner Safety Belt Guide Position It Into Backrest Frame Slot
    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Check the active restraint system for correct operation. For additional information, refer to SAFETY BELT SYSTEM .