Ford Explorer: Supplemental Restraint System / Removal and Installation - Side 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.

NOTE: RH (right-hand) seat shown, LH (left-hand) seat 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. Remove the seat.
   Refer to: Front Seat (501-10A Front Seats, Removal and Installation).
   

1. Release the front seat backrest panel straps.
   

1. NOTE: The back panel finish can be easily marred or torn, use care when working around it.

   On both sides, grasp the front seat backrest panel where it meets the module trim, pull to release the clips and separate the front seat backrest panel from the module trim.
   

1. Pull out at the bottom, release the clips and detach the front seat backrest panel from the backrest frame.
   

1. Pull down and out and remove the front seat backrest panel.
   

1. NOTE: Follow the unique instructions or graphic for this step in the installation.

   1. Remove the side airbag nuts.
      Torque: 62 lb.in (7 Nm)
   2. Detach the side airbag studs from the backrest frame.
      

1. Disconnect the electrical connector and remove the side 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.   WARNING: Inspect the seat side airbag, airbag cavity, mounting surface and deployment chute for damage or the presence of foreign material. Remove all foreign material. Install a new side airbag if it is damaged. Install a new deployment chute if the deployment chute is damaged. 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.

   To install, reverse the removal procedure.
   

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