Ford Escape: 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.

  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: 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. If equipped with heated seats.
   Detach both front seat heater mat electrical connectors.
   

1. Detach the front seat backrest cover straps and position the backrest cover aside.
   

1. Detach the front seat backrest cover lower J-clips and position the backrest cover aside.
   

1. • Remove the front seat backrest cover pin-type retainer on the side of the side airbag.
     
   • If equipped.
     Detach the hook-and-loop strips and position the front seat backrest cover aside.
     

1. Route out the zippers from the front seat backrest cover.
   

1. Unzip the zippers and partially position the front seat backrest cover up.
   

1. Detach the retainers while positioning the front seat backrest cover up.
   

1. Remove the side airbag nuts.
   Torque: 62 lb.in (7 Nm)

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

   1. Position the front seat backrest cover aside.
      
   2. Detach the side airbag studs from the front seat backrest frame and position the side airbag with deployment chute out of the backrest foam pocket.
      
   3. Position the side airbag partially out of the deployment chute.
      

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. Install the side airbag into the deployment chute with the 2 mounting studs positioned through the 2 deployment chute holes.