Removal & Installation
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:
Accidental air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. When carrying or setting down side curtain air bag module, always point tear seam away from body.
Improper air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. If side curtain air bag has deployed, replace upper A, B and C-pillar trim panels and attaching hardware, along with any other damaged components and hardware.
Improper air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Vehicle equipped with side curtain air bags require a specific headliner. When installing a new headliner on a vehicle equipped with side curtain air bags, ensure a headliner made for side curtain air bags is being used. The word "AIRBAG" will appear on the headliner where it meets each B-pillar trim panel.
Improper air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Before installing a side curtain air bag module, inspect roofline for any damage. If necessary, sheet metal must be reworked to its original condition and structural integrity. Replace all damaged fasteners and remove any foreign objects.
Improper air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Inspect side curtain air bag prior to installation. Use a new side air curtain air bag if air bag is damaged or curtain material is exposed. Do not attempt to repair the air bag module.
Improper air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Never place any type of fastener or tie strap around any part of side curtain air bag module or interior trim panel. Also, do not obstruct or place any objects in deployment path of air bag.
Improper air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. If side curtain air bag has deployed, replace upper A, B and C-pillar trim panels and attaching hardware, along with any other damaged components and hardware.
Improper air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Vehicle equipped with side curtain air bags require a specific headliner. When installing a new headliner on a vehicle equipped with side curtain air bags, ensure a headliner made for side curtain air bags is being used. The word "AIRBAG" will appear on the headliner where it meets each B-pillar trim panel.
Improper air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Before installing a side curtain air bag module, inspect roofline for any damage. If necessary, sheet metal must be reworked to its original condition and structural integrity. Replace all damaged fasteners and remove any foreign objects.
Improper air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Inspect side curtain air bag prior to installation. Use a new side air curtain air bag if air bag is damaged or curtain material is exposed. Do not attempt to repair the air bag module.
Improper air bag deployment is possible. Personal injury may result. Never place any type of fastener or tie strap around any part of side curtain air bag module or interior trim panel. Also, do not obstruct or place any objects in deployment path of air bag.
- Before proceeding, see AIR BAG SAFETY PRECAUTIONS . Disable air bag system. See DISABLING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM. Remove headliner. See HEADLINER .
- Remove 3 side curtain air bag mounting bolts, located at rear of side air bag module. See Fig 1 . Disengage 2 side air bag wiring harness pin-type retainers. Remove C-pillar tether anchor assembly mounting bolts. Disengage 2 appropriate pin-type retainers, if equipped. Remove 2 side curtain air bag mounting bolts, located above C-pillar.
- Remove 2 side curtain air bag mounting bolts, located above B-pillar. Remove one side curtain air bag mounting bolt, located above A-pillar. Remove A-pillar tether bracket bolt and bracket. Disengage A-pillar tether pin-type retainer. Push rear ramp retainers together and separate rear ramp from sheet metal.
- Push side curtain air bag cover in, releasing it from front ramp retainers. Rotate side curtain air bag module up and out of front ramp. Separate side curtain air bag module from front ramp upper retainers and remove air bag module. Push front ramp retainers together and separate front ramp from sheet metal.NOTE: Tighten side curtain air bag module mounting bolts, starting from middle and working outward.
- To install, reverse removal procedure. DO NOT activate air bag system at this time. Tighten side curtain air bag module mounting bolts to specification. See TORQUE SPECIFICATIONS . Remove air bag simulator from side curtain air bag harness connector and reconnect connectors.
- Connect negative battery cable. With air bag simulators installed at all deployable air bag system devices, perform system operation check. See SYSTEM OPERATION CHECK . Disconnect negative battery cable. Wait at least one minute. Activate air bag system. See ACTIVATING SYSTEM under DISABLING & ACTIVATING AIR BAG SYSTEM.