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

Removal

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

NOTE: Passenger airbag with canister vent shown, without canister vent similar.

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 (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, General Procedures).
   

1. Remove the instrument panel upper section.
   Refer to: Instrument Panel Upper Section (501-12 Instrument Panel and Console, Removal and Installation).
   

1. NOTE: This step is only necessary when installing a new passenger airbag.

   Remove the screw and bracket.
   

1. Remove the screws and brackets.
   

1. 1. Pull the passenger airbag deployment chute away from the passenger airbag.
      
   2. Rotate the passenger airbag out of the deployment chute and disengage the passenger airbag retainers.
      

1. Continue to rotate the passenger airbag and remove it from the deployment chute.
   

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.   WARNING: Before installing the passenger air bag module assembly:

   • Inspect the passenger air bag module and instrument panel/deployment chute cavity for any damage or foreign material.
   • Remove any foreign material from the passenger air bag module and instrument panel/deployment chute cavity.
   • Install new parts if damaged.
   Failure to follow these instructions may result in the passenger air bag deploying incorrectly, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
   1. Position the passenger airbag to the deployment chute.
      
   2. Engage the passenger airbag retainers to the deployment chute.
      

1. 1. Pull the passenger airbag deployment chute out, making room for the passenger airbag to pass.
      
   2. Rotate the passenger airbag down and into the deployment chute.
      

1. Engage the passenger airbag retainers to the deployment chute.
   

1. Install the brackets and screws.
   Torque: 42 lb.in (4.8 Nm)

1. Position the bracket and install the screw.
   Torque: 42 lb.in (4.8 Nm)

1. Install the instrument panel upper section.
   Refer to: Instrument Panel Upper Section (501-12 Instrument Panel and Console, Removal and Installation).
   

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