Removal And Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Mercury Mariner and 2008 Ford Escape. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: Always wear eye protection when servicing a vehicle. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

WARNING: After any crash, all of the following safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware must be inspected by an authorized dealer to verify correct function:

Retractors
Buckles
Belt tension sensor (BTS) (if equipped)
Front safety belt buckle support assemblies (slide bar) (if equipped)
Safety belt shoulder belt height adjusters (if equipped)
Child safety seat tether bracket assemblies
Automatic locking retractor (ALR) feature for child safety seats (passenger seating positions only)

If any safety belt assembly is damaged, does not operate correctly or does not pass all of the Functional Tests in the Diagnosis and Testing portion of this article, a new safety belt assembly must be installed. If any safety belt assembly attaching areas are damaged or distorted, the sheet metal must be restored to its original structural integrity and new safety belt assembly and attaching hardware must be installed. Failure to install new safety belt assemblies and attaching hardware may increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

After any crash that results in deployment of the driver and/or front outboard passenger safety belt pretensioners, new driver and/or front outboard passenger safety belt systems (including retractors, buckles and height adjusters) must be installed. Failure to install new safety belt systems increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

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.

NOTE: The air bag warning indicator illuminates when the restraints control module (RCM) fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate a supplemental restraint system (SRS) fault.

NOTE: The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

NOTE: Repair is made by installing a new part only. If the new part does not correct the condition, install the original part and carry out the diagnostic procedure again.

All safety belt retractor pretensioners

Depower the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering and Repowering in the General Procedures portion of SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.

NOTE: Inspect the D-ring cover for damage. If the cover is damaged or does not remain closed, install a new D-ring cover and bolt.

Remove the safety belt D-ring bolt cover by squeezing the height adjuster buttons and pulling the cover out at the bottom.

Fig 1: Squeezing Safety Belt Guide Cover Height Adjuster Buttons

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the D-ring bolt and D-ring from the safety belt height adjuster, and position aside.
- To install, tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
Remove the lower B-pillar trim panel. For additional information, refer to INTERIOR TRIM AND ORNAMENTATION article.

Passenger safety belt retractor pretensioner

Disconnect the safety belt tension sensor electrical connector.

All safety belt retractor pretensioners

Remove the safety belt anchor bolt and position aside the safety belt.
- To install, tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
Remove the safety belt retractor pretensioner bolt.
- To install, tighten to 48 Nm (35 lb-ft).
Disconnect the safety belt retractor pretensioner electrical connector.
Unhook and remove the safety belt retractor pretensioner.
To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Repower the SRS. Refer to Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering and Repowering in the General Procedures portion of SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.
Check the active restraint system for correct operation. For additional information, refer to Safety Belt System .