Ford Explorer: Supplemental Restraint System / Removal and Installation - Driver Knee Airbag

Removal

  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. NOTE: Manual steering column shown, power similar.

   Release the steering column lock and raise the steering column.
   

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

1. Detach the clips and remove the trim panel.
   

1. Remove the retainers and drop the driver side insulator down from the instrument panel.
   

1. Disconnect the interior lamp electrical connector and remove the driver side insulator.
   

1. 1. Push the retainers in.
      
   2. Push the DLC through to the other side.
      

1. NOTE: The knee bolster is shown transparent for clarity.

   
   Remove the knee bolster.
   
   1. Remove the screws.
      
   2. Detach the clips.
      

1. Remove the driver knee airbag upper nut.
   Torque: 106 lb.in (12 Nm)

1. Remove the bolts and position the driver knee airbag out from the instrument panel.
   Torque: 106 lb.in (12 Nm)

1. Disconnect the electrical connector and remove the driver knee airbag.
   

Installation

  WARNING: Incorrect repair techniques or actions can cause an accidental Supplemental Restraint System deployment. Make sure the restraint system is depowered before reconnecting the component. Refer to the Supplemental Restraint System depowering General Procedure in section 501-20B. Failure to precisely follow depowering instructions could result in serious personal injury from an accidental deployment.

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
   

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