Front Seat Backrest: Removal

WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: After deployment, the air bag surface can contain deposits of sodium hydroxide, a product of the gas generant combustion that is irritating to the skin. Wash your hands with soap and water after handling an air bag module.

WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the air bag module. Doing so can result in air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.

Vehicles with side air bags

WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before servicing, replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors, such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood latches.
Please refer to the appropriate vehicle shop manual to determine location of the front air bag sensors.
The side impact sensors are located at or near the base of the B-pillar.
To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power supplies (if equipped).

Disconnect the battery ground cable (14301) and wait at least one minute. For additional information, refer to BATTERY, MOUNTING AND CABLES .

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions, notes, and instructions in the supplemental restraint system (SRS) deactivation/reactivation procedure.

Deactivate the supplemental restraint system (SRS). For additional information, refer to SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) DEACTIVATION AND REACTIVATION .
All vehicles

WARNING: To reduce the risk of serious personal injury, read and follow all warnings, cautions, notes, and instructions in the seat removal and installation procedure.

Remove the affected seat. For additional information, refer to DRIVER SEAT or PASSENGER SEAT .
Remove the outboard side shield screw.

Fig 1: Removing Outboard Side Shield Screw
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Push in as indicated, lift, and pull out to release the retaining clip.

Fig 2: Pulling Out To Release Retaining Clip
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Release the outboard side shield retainers.
1. Lift and release the retainer.
2. While holding the side shield up, rotate the side shield to disengage the retainers.
  
  Fig 3: Releasing Retainer
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the outboard side shield.
1. Using a suitable pin-type retainer removal tool, remove the side shield front retainer (not shown).
2. Disconnect the power seat switch electrical connector.
3. Remove the outboard side shield.
  
  Fig 4: Removing Outboard Side Shield
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Vehicles with heated seats
Remove the two pin-type retainers and remove the heated seat switch housing from the seat.

Fig 5: Removing Heated Seat Switch Housing From Seat
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Push in on the release tab and slide the switch up and out of the housing, disconnect the electrical connector.

Fig 6: Disconnecting Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Disconnect the heated seat back electrical connector.

Fig 7: Disconnecting Heated Seat Back Electrical Connector
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

NOTE: Note the routing of the heated seat back wire harness for installation purpose.

Fig 8: Routing Heated Seat Back Wire Harness Through Seat Cushion Pan

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Route the heated seat back wire harness through the seat cushion pan.
All vehicles
Remove the inboard side shield screw.

Fig 9: Removing Inboard Side Shield Screw
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Release the back of the inboard side shield and remove the recliner handle cover.
1. Push in on the side shield as shown.
2. While pushing in, lift up to release the side shield retainer.
3. Through the opening at the back of the side shield, use an appropriate pry tool to remove the recliner handle cover.
  
  Fig 10: Removing Recliner Handle Cover
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Release the inboard side shield retainers.
1. Lift and release the retainer.
2. While holding the side shield up, rotate the side shield to disengage the retainers.
  
  Fig 11: Rotating Side Shield To Disengage Retainers
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Remove the inboard side shield.
1. Using a suitable pin-type retainer removal tool, remove the side shield front retainer.
2. Release the power lumbar switch retaining tabs and separate the switch from the inboard side shield.
3. Remove the inboard side shield.
  
  Fig 12: Removing Inboard Side Shield
  Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Vehicles with power lumbar
Disconnect the power lumbar vacuum hose.

Fig 13: Disconnecting Power Lumbar Vacuum Hose
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

All vehicles
Release the J-clips.

Fig 14: Releasing J-Clips
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Vehicles with side air bag

WARNING: Do not disconnect the wire connector at the side air bag module. This is a permanent connection. Doing so may result in accidental air bag deployment, which may result in personal injury.

NOTE: Note the side air bag module wire harness routing for installation.

Fig 15: Removing Pin-Type Retainers

Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

Remove the pin-type retainers retaining the side air bag wire harness to the seat cushion. Route it through the seat cushion.
All vehicles
Remove the bolt.

Fig 16: Removing Bolt
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
Position the seat backrest trim cover up, remove the bolts, and remove the seat backrest.

Fig 17: Removing Seat Backrest Bolts
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.