Removal and Installation

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Ford Pickup, 2012 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2012 Ford F450 Super Duty, and 2012 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

WARNING: After a crash, the following safety belt components and attaching hardware must be inspected and tested to verify correct function:

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

Components that do not operate correctly or pass all Functional Tests in the Component Tests of this service information must be replaced with new components.
Safety belt assembly attaching areas must be inspected. Damaged or distorted attaching areas must be restored to their original structural integrity and a new safety belt assembly with new attaching hardware must be installed.
After deployment of the front safety belt pretensioners, a new safety belt system (including retractors, buckles and height adjusters) must be installed.
Failure to follow this instruction may result in incorrect operation of the safety belt system and increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

LH side safety belt buckle assembly

Using an appropriate tool, push in the pin hole while pulling the safety belt tongue out of the safety belt buckle.

Fig 1: Locating Pin Hole Of Safety Belt Buckle
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

RH side safety belt buckle assembly
If equipped, remove the subwoofer speaker. For additional information, refer to INFORMATION AND ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS .
All safety belt buckle assemblies
Fold the second row 40 and 60 percent seat backrest forward.
- Remove the affected safety belt buckles from between the seat backrest and cushion.
Remove the affected safety belt buckle assembly.
- Remove the 2 bolts and LH side safety belt buckle assembly with felt washers.
  - To install, tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
- Remove the 2 bolts and the RH side safety belt buckle assembly.
  - To install, tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).

NOTE: Before installation, make sure the safety belt webbing is not twisted and the safety belts and buckles are accessible to the occupants.

To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Check the active restraint system for correct operation. For additional information, refer to the appropriate Functional Test procedure in SAFETY BELT SYSTEM .