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: 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.

Remove the 60 percent seat backrest. For additional information, refer to SEATING article.
Remove the head restraints.
Remove the 2 screws and the latch cover.
Remove the 2 seat latch release lever screws.
Remove the seat latch release lever.
1. Detach the latch rod from the seat latch release lever.
  - To aid installation, lock the latch using a flat-blade screwdriver before connecting the latch rod.
2. Remove the seat latch release lever.

Fig 1: Seat Latch Release Lever

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the 2 screws and the safety belt shield.
Release the backrest trim cover J-clip.

Fig 2: Backrest Trim Cover J-Clip

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Unzip the backrest trim cover zipper.

Fig 3: Backrest Trim Cover Zipper

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: The inboard and outboard head restraint guides are not interchangeable.

NOTE: The head restraint guides incorporate an alignment tab that must be aligned correctly when installed.

Squeeze together the tip of each head restraint guide and pull the 4 guides out of the frame tube.

Fig 4: Identifying Tip Of Head Restraint Sleeves

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Use care when separating the seat upholstery from the hook-and-loop strip, or the hook-and-loop strip can be torn from the seat backrest foam pad.

Separate the hook-and-loop fasteners and remove the seat backrest trim cover.
Remove the backrest foam pad from the backrest frame.
Release the seat latch cable from the retractor.

Fig 5: Seat Latch Cable

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the 2 nuts and the safety belt guide.
- To install, tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
Remove the nut and the rear center safety belt retractor.
- To install, tighten to 40 Nm (30 lb-ft).
To install, reverse the removal procedure.
Check the active restraint system for correct operation.
- Make sure that after the rear safety belt retractor is installed, the retractor is not in the automatic locking retractor (ALR) mode. For additional information, refer to Safety Belt System .