Ford Explorer: Interior Trim and Ornamentation / Removal and Installation - B-Pillar Trim Panel

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

Removal

NOTE: LH (left hand) shown, RH (right hand) similar.

Upper and lower B-pillar trim panels

1. Remove the following items:
   
   1. Remove the front scuff plate trim panel.
      Refer to: Front Scuff Plate Trim Panel (501-05 Interior Trim and Ornamentation, Removal and Installation).
      
   2. Remove the rear scuff plate trim panel.
      Refer to: Rear Scuff Plate Trim Panel (501-05 Interior Trim and Ornamentation, Removal and Installation).
      

1. Position the front seat in the full forward position.
   

1. NOTE: Seats removed for clarity.

   Release the tabs and remove the lower B-pillar trim panel cover.
   

1. NOTE: Seats removed for clarity.

   
   Remove the lower B-pillar trim panel.
   
   1. Release the lower B-pillar trim panel clips.
      Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover
   2. Feed the front seatbelt retractor and pretensioner through the opening in the lower B-pillar trim panel.
      

Upper B-pillar trim panel

  WARNING: The following procedure prescribes critical repair steps required for correct restraint system operation during a crash. Follow all notes and steps carefully. Failure to follow step instructions may result in incorrect operation of the restraint system and increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

NOTE: Removal steps in this procedure may contain installation details.

1.   WARNING: Before beginning any service procedure in this manual, refer to health and safety warnings in section 100-00 General Information. Failure to follow this instruction may result in serious personal injury.

   Refer to: Pyrotechnic Device Health and Safety Precautions (100-00 General Information, Description and Operation).
   

1. Depower the SRS.
   Refer to: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering (501-20 Supplemental Restraint System) .
   

1. NOTE: Passenger assist handle cover has a tether on it that does not allow it to be fully removed.

   
   Position the passenger assist handle cover aside.
   
   • Press upward and disengage the lower tab.
     Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover
   • Pull outward and disengage the lower tabs.
     Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover
   • Pull outward and disengage the middle tabs.
     Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover
   • Pull outward and disengage the upper tabs.
     Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover
   • Lift upward and outward and disengage the upper tab.
     Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

1. Remove the passenger assist handle bolts and the passenger assist handle.
   Torque: 80 lb.in (9 Nm)

1. NOTE: Seats removed for clarity.

   
   Position the front seatbelt retractor and pretensioner aside.
   
   1. Disconnect the front seatbelt retractor and pretensioner electrical connector.
      
   2. Remove the front seatbelt retractor and pretenioner anchor nut.
      Torque: 35 lb.ft (47 Nm)

1. Remove the upper B-pillar trim panel bolt.
   Torque: 80 lb.in (9 Nm)

1. Release the upper B-pillar trim panel lower clip.
   Use the General Equipment: Interior Trim Remover

1. 
   Remove the upper B-pillar trim panel.
   
   1. Pull outward on the upper B-pillar trim panel.
      
   2. Pull downward on the upper B-pillar trim panel releasing the upper tabs.
      
   3. Feed the front seatbelt retractor and pretenioner through the opening in the upper B-pillar trim panel.
      

Installation

NOTE: During installation, make sure the seatbelt webbing is not twisted and the seatbelts and buckles are accessible to the occupants.

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
   

1. Inspect and position the front door and rear door weather strip lips so that they overlap the top of the B-pillar trim panels.
   

1. Repower the SRS.
   Refer to: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Repowering (501-20 Supplemental Restraint System) .
   

1. Check the seatbelt system for correct operation.
   Refer to: Seatbelt Systems (501-20A Seatbelt Systems, Diagnosis and Testing).