Ford Explorer: Front Seats / Removal and Installation - Front Seat Backrest Cover

Removal

  WARNING: Front seat backrest trim covers installed on seats equipped with seat side airbags cannot be repaired. A new trim cover must be installed. Cleaning is permissible. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side airbag deploying incorrectly and increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

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

NOTE: Driver seat shown, all other seats similar.

All seats

1. Remove the side airbag.
   Refer to: Side Airbag (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Remove the head restraint guide sleeves.
   Refer to: Front Head Restraint Guide Sleeve (501-10A Front Seats, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Detach the front seat backrest cover J-clip and position upwards.
   

1. If equipped with heated/ventilated seats.
   Remove the front seat backrest blower motor.
   Refer to: Front Seat Backrest Blower Motor (501-10A Front Seats, Removal and Installation).
   

1. • If equipped with power lumbar.
     Disconnect the front seat power lumbar assembly electrical connector.
     
   • If equipped with heated seat.
     Detach and disconnect the front seat backrest heater mat electrical connector.
     

Multi-contour seat

1. Remove the SCMG or SCMH.
   Refer to: Driver Multi-Contour Seat Module [SCMG] (501-10A Front Seats, Removal and Installation).
   

1. 1. Disconnect the front seat power lumbar assembly electrical connector.
      
   2. Detach and disconnect the front seat backrest heater mat electrical connector.
      

All seats

1. Remove the screws.
   

1. 1. Feed the side airbag electrical connector through the front seat backrest frame.
      
   2. Position the front seat backrest trim down.
      
   3. Remove the front seat backrest cover assembly bolt.
      Torque: 62 lb.in (7 Nm)

1. 1. Position the front seat backrest trim down.
      
   2. Remove the front seat backrest cover assembly bolts.
      Torque: 62 lb.in (7 Nm)

1. 
   Remove the front seat backrest cover assembly.
   
   1. Pull the lower backrest cover assembly out while noting the location of the guide pin for installation.
   2. Lift the upper backrest cover assembly over the backrest frame.
      

1. Detach the front seat backrest cover retainer and J-clips.
   

1. If equipped with heated/ventilated seats.
   Detach the front seat backrest carrier from the vent bag.
   
   1. Release the tabs.
      
   2. Detach the front seat backrest carrier from the vent bag.
      

1. Position the front seat backrest cover aside and remove the backrest cover carrier.
   

1. NOTICE: Use care when separating the backrest cover from the hook-and-arrows, or the hooks can be torn from the backrest foam.

   NOTICE: Use care when separating the seat backrest trim cover from the hook-and-loop strips or the hook-and-loop strips may be torn from the seat backrest foam.

   NOTE: Base front seat shown, all others similar.

   
   Remove the front seat backrest cover.
   
   1. Invert the backrest cover.
      
   2. Release the hook-and-arrows.
      
   3. Release the hook-and-loop strip.
      

Installation

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.