Seat Backrest Cover - Front: Removal

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

WARNING: Always carry or place a live air bag module with the air bag and deployment door/trim cover/tear seam pointed away from the body. Do not set a live air bag module down with the deployment door/trim cover/tear seam face down. Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious personal injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

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: If the seat side air bag cover has been damaged or separated from its mounting, or if the air bag material has been exposed, install a new seat side air bag module. Never try to repair the seat side air bag module. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side air bag deploying incorrectly, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

WARNING: Front seat backrest trim covers installed on seats equipped with seat side air bags cannot be repaired. A new trim cover must be installed. Cleaning is permissible. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side air bag module deploying incorrectly and increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

NOTE: If a side air bag deployment took place, a new seat back pad, trim cover and side air bag module and nuts must be installed. The seat back frame should be replaced if necessary.

NOTE: The air bag warning indicator illuminates when the correct restraints control module (RCM) fuse is removed and the ignition switch is ON.

NOTE: The supplemental restraint system (SRS) must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.

Depower the SRS. For additional information, refer to Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering and Repowering in the General Procedures portion of SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM article.
Remove the head restraint.
If equipped, remove the screw and lumbar adjust handle.

CAUTION: Use care when separating the seat backrest trim cover from the hook-and-loop strip or the hook-and-loop strip may be torn from the seat backrest foam.

Release the backrest trim cover lower J-clips and hook-and-loop strips.
Place a hand between the backrest trim cover and backrest foam pad and carefully separate the hook-and-loop strips, then carefully roll up the backrest trim cover in an inside out fashion to the first row of hog rings in the front.
- On passenger seats, pull the backrest latch fold-flat release strap through the backrest trim cover bezel opening.
Remove the first row of hog rings in the front.
Release the hook-and-loop strip, invert the trim cover and remove the second row of hog rings in the front.
Release the J-clips at the back of the backrest trim cover.

Fig 1: Locating J-Clips At Back Of Backrest Trim Cover

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Release the side air bag module backrest trim cover chute J-clip from around the side air bag module.

Fig 2: Identifying Side Air Bag Module Backrest Trim Cover

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Feed the side air bag module backrest trim cover chute and J-clip retainers out through the side air bag module backrest foam pad opening.

Fig 3: Identifying Side Air Bag Module

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Release the hook-and-loop strips in front, invert the backrest trim cover and remove the hog rings at the back.

Fig 4: Locating Hog Rings

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The head restraint guides are not interchangeable.

Release the tabs and remove the head restraint guide.
Remove the backrest trim cover.