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Side Air Bag Module: Removal

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 backrest foam pad, trim cover and side air bag module must be installed. The seat back frame should be replaced if necessary.
NOTE: When replacing the side air bag after deployment, refer to SEATING for additional information concerning the installation of a new side air bag.
NOTE: The air bag warning indicator illuminates when the correct Restraints Control Module (RCM) fuse is removed and the ignition is ON.
NOTE: The Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle to the customer.
  1. Depower the SRS  . For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEPOWERING AND REPOWERING .
  2. Remove the driver seat. For additional information, refer to Front Seat in the removal and installation portion of SEATING .
  3. NOTE: The seat track rear height adjust must be all the way up or the recliner cover post will not slide out of the seat track hole without first removing the safety belt buckle and pretensioner.
    NOTE: For retainer clarity, inside of recliner cover shown in illustration.
  4. Remove the recliner cover.
    1. Remove the scrivet at the rear of the recliner cover.
    2. Remove the screw at the rear of the recliner cover.
    3. Slide the recliner cover post out of the seat track hole and remove the recliner cover.
      Fig 1: Identifying Recliner Cover Components
      G06063835Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  5. 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 Components
      G06063836Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  6. NOTE: For retainer clarity, inside of cushion side shield shown in illustration.
  7. Separate the cushion side shield.
    1. Remove the scrivet at the rear of the cushion side shield.
    2. Remove the screw at the rear of the cushion side shield.
    3. Remove the screw at the front of the cushion side shield.
    4. Pull out to release the clips and separate the cushion side shield.
      Fig 3: Identifying Cushion Side Shield Components
      G06063837Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  8. Separate the backrest trim cover lower J-clips and invert the backrest trim cover up to the first row of hog rings.
  9. Remove the 3 first row hog rings.
    Fig 4: Locating First Row Hog Rings
    G06063838Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  10. Invert the backrest trim cover up and remove the 3 second row hog rings.
    Fig 5: Locating Second Row Hog Rings
    G06063839Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  11. From the rear of the backrest, separate the backrest trim cover J-clip attached to the backrest frame wire.
    Fig 6: Locating Backrest Trim Cover J-Clip
    G06063840Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  12. Squeeze the ends of the deployment chute clips together and open the deployment chute.
    Fig 7: Locating Ends Of Deployment Chute Clips
    G06063841Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  13. Invert the backrest trim cover up and pull the deployment chute through the backrest foam pad.
  14. Separate the side air bag module wire harness retainers from the backrest frame.
    Fig 8: Locating Side Air Bag Module Wire Harness Retainers
    G06063842Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
  15. Remove the nuts and the side air bag module with wire harness.