Disassembly and Assembly

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

Remove the third row seat backrest. For additional information, refer to REAR SEAT - THIRD ROW .
Remove the 2 head restraints.
Remove the load floor from the seat backrest.
1. Remove the 8 screws (4 shown) and the load floor.
2. Rotate the load floor rod 90 degrees and pull it out.
  - Repeat for the load floor rod on the other side.
    
    Fig 1: Removing Screws And Load Floor
    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Release the backrest trim cover J-clip.

NOTE: The inboard and outboard head restraint sleeves are not interchangeable.

NOTE: The head restraint sleeves incorporate an alignment tab that must face forward when installed.

Lift the trim cover and foam pad out of the way, squeeze together the tip of the head restraint sleeve and pull the sleeve out of the frame tube.
- Repeat to remove the other head restraint sleeves.
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Tip Of Head Restraint Sleeves
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

CAUTION: Use care when separating the seat upholstery from the hook and loop strip, or the hook and loop strip can be torn from the seat backrest foam pad.

Separate the hook and loop fasteners and remove the backrest trim cover.
Remove the backrest foam pad.
Remove the 4 backrest latch bolts.
Separate the backrest release handle and cable from the backrest and remove the backrest pivot latch assembly.
Remove the load floor rod sleeves.
To assemble, reverse the disassembly procedure.