Seat Backrest - Front, With Fold Flat: Removal

WARNING: Never probe the electrical connectors on air bag, Safety Canopy® or side air curtain modules. Failure to follow this instruction may result in the accidental deployment of these modules, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death.

WARNING: Never probe the electrical connectors on safety belt buckle/retractor pretensioners or adaptive load limiting retractors. Failure to follow this instruction may result in the accidental deployment of the safety belt pretensioners or adaptive load limiting retractors, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death.

Remove the front passenger seat. For additional information, refer to SEAT - FRONT .
Remove the inboard recliner lower cover.
1. Remove the screw at the back of the inboard recliner lower cover.
2. Remove the screw at the side of the inboard recliner lower cover.
3. Pull out at the rear of the inboard recliner lower cover to release the retainers and remove.
  
  Fig 1: Identifying Inboard Recliner Lower Cover With Screw
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
If equipped, remove the manual lumbar handle.
1. Push the cushion trim cover and foam pad back and locate the manual lumbar handle clip under the cushion side shield.
2. Remove the clip and slide the manual lumbar handle off the shaft.
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Manual Lumbar Handle With Clip
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: For retainer clarity, inside of cushion side shield shown.

Separate the cushion side shield.
1. Remove the screw at the back of the cushion side shield.
2. Remove the screw at the side of the cushion side shield.
3. Remove the screw at the front of the cushion side shield.
4. Pull out on the cushion side shield to release the clips and separate.
  
  Fig 3: Identifying Cushion Side Shield Screws And Clips
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Seats with power seat track, disconnect electrical connectors and separate pin-type retainers from under the seat.
1. Separate the connector and wire harness retainers.
2. Slide the side air bag electrical connector locking clip back.
3. Push the tab in and disconnect the side air bag module electrical connector.
4. Disconnect the backrest feed electrical connector.
  
  Fig 4: Identifying Power Seat Track Electrical Connectors And Separate Pin-Type Retainers
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Seats with manual seat track, disconnect the electrical connector and separate pin-type retainers from under the seat.
1. Separate the side air bag module electrical connector and wire harness retainers.
2. Slide the side air bag electrical connector locking clip back.
3. Push the tab in and disconnect the side air bag module electrical connector.
  
  Fig 5: Identifying Manual Seat Track Electrical Connector And Separate Pin-Type Retainers
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the pin-type retainer, release the cushion trim cover outboard J-clips and position the cushion trim cover flap up.

Fig 6: Locating Pin-Type Retainer And Cushion Trim Cover Outboard J-Clips
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Separate the wire harness and cable retainers.
1. If equipped, separate the lumbar cable retainer.
2. If equipped, pull the manual lumbar cable cover out of the adjuster.
3. Separate the side air bag module wire harness pin-type retainer.
  - Route the wire harness out from under the seat.
    
    Fig 7: Pulling Manual Lumbar Cable Cover Out Of Adjuster
    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
If equipped, remove the manual lumbar cable from the adjuster in the following sequence.
- Pull the lumbar cable cover out of the adjuster.
- Remove the cable end from the adjuster.
  
  Fig 8: Locating Manual Lumbar Cable
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Separate the cushion trim cover rear J-clip.

Fig 9: Locating Cushion Trim Cover Rear J-Clip
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Open the 2 retainers under the seat at the rear and separate the recliner cable.

Fig 10: Locating Recliner Cable And Retainers
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the 4 recliner-to-seat track bolts and remove the backrest assembly.