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

Special Tool(s) / General Equipment

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. Depower the SRS .
   Refer to: Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering (501-20B Supplemental Restraint System, General Procedures).
   

1. Remove the steering column shrouds.
   Refer to: Steering Column Shrouds (501-05 Interior Trim and Ornamentation, Removal and Installation).
   

1. 1. Turn the component clockwise through 90 degrees.
      
   2. Pivot the spring clip disengaging it from the driver airbag.
      Use the General Equipment: Flat-Bladed Screwdriver
   3. Detach the driver airbag.
      

1. 1. Turn the component counter-clockwise through 180 degrees.
      
   2. Pivot the spring clip disengaging it from the driver airbag.
      Use the General Equipment: Flat-Bladed Screwdriver
   3. Detach the driver airbag.
      

1. NOTE: Dual stage driver airbag shown, single stage driver airbag similar.

   Disconnect the electrical connectors and remove the driver 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. NOTE: Dual stage driver airbag shown, single stage driver airbag similar.

   Connect the driver airbag electrical connectors.
   

1. NOTE: An audible click is heard when each side of the driver airbag module is pushed in and the spring clip seats behind the steering wheel retainer.

   Align the driver airbag to the steering wheel and push in, engaging the driver airbag spring clips to the steering wheel retainers.
   

1. Install the steering column shrouds.
   Refer to: Steering Column Shrouds (501-05 Interior Trim and Ornamentation, Removal and Installation).
   

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