Ford Escape: Supplemental Restraint System / Removal and Installation - Side Curtain 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: LH shown, RH similar unless otherwise noted.

1. Remove the headliner.
   Refer to: Headliner (501-05 Interior Trim and Ornamentation, Removal and Installation).
   

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

1. Disconnect the side curtain airbag electrical connector.
   

1. Remove the side curtain airbag nuts and bolt.
   Torque: 80 lb.in (9 Nm)

1. Remove the side curtain airbag nuts and bolt.
   Torque: 80 lb.in (9 Nm)

1. 1. Detach the side curtain airbag front tether clip.
      
   2. Detach the side curtain airbag pin-type retainer.
      
   3. Detach the side curtain airbag hangers from the studs.
      

1. Detach the side curtain airbag hangers from the studs.
   

1. 
   Remove the side curtain airbag.
   
   1. Detach the side curtain airbag T-tab from the sheet metal.
      
   2. Slide the side curtain airbag forward, disengaging the retainer from the sheet metal.
      

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.

  WARNING: Before installing a Safety Canopy® or side air curtain module, inspect the roofline for any damage. If necessary, the sheet metal must be reworked to its original condition and structural integrity. Install new fasteners if damaged and remove foreign material. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the Safety Canopy® or side air curtain deploying incorrectly, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

  WARNING: Anytime the side curtain airbag has deployed, a new headliner and new roof pillar upper trim panels with attaching hardware must be installed. Make sure the headliner includes the word AIRBAG where it meets each roof B-pillar trim panel. Remove any other damaged components or hardware and replace with new. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the side curtain airbag deploying incorrectly and increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.

1. To install, reverse the removal procedure.
   

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