Seat Backrest - Front: Assembly

All seats 

1. Route and install the backrest wiring harness, if removed.
WARNING: If the seat side air bag cover has been damaged or separated from its mounting, or if the air bag material has been exposed, install a new seat side air bag module. Never try to repair the seat side air bag module. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side air bag deploying incorrectly, which increases the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
WARNING: Inspect the seat side air bag module and mounting surfaces for any damage or foreign material before installing the seat side air bag module. If any damage is found, install new components. If any foreign material is found, remove it. Failure to follow these instructions may result in the seat side air bag module deploying incorrectly and increase the risk of serious personal injury or death in a crash.
2. Position the side air bag module to the backrest frame and install 2 new nuts.
   • Tighten to 8 Nm (71 lb-in).
3. Install the side air bag wiring harness.
   • Route the side air bag wiring harness to the backrest frame as noted in disassembly and install the pushpin-type retainers.
4. Connect the side air bag module electrical connector and then slide and engage the side air bag electrical connector locking clip.

   Seat with power recliner 

NOTE: The recliners are synchronized. Do not rotate the recliner shaft until fully installed.
5. Install the recliner motor in the following sequence.
   1. Position the recliner shaft through the recliner motor and RH recliner.
   2. Install a new one-way push clip onto the recliner shaft at the RH recliner.
   3. Slightly turn the recliner motor to align the bolt hole with the hole in the RH recliner and install the recliner motor bolt.
      • Tighten to 6 Nm (53 lb-in).
   4. Connect the recliner motor electrical connector.

   Climate controlled seat 

NOTE: Before assembly, inspect the climate controlled seat components for damage, crush, obstruction and foreign material and repair as needed.
6. Install the upper support spring and TED assembly to the backrest frame.
   • Attach the TED and bracket to the backrest upper support spring as noted in disassembly.
7. Connect the exhaust duct to the TED and install a new tie strap.
8. Connect the TED electrical connector.

   All seats 

9. Attach the lumbar assembly spring clips and install the lumbar assembly to the backrest frame.
   • If manual lumbar, route the lumbar cable to the backrest as noted in disassembly.
   • If power lumbar, connect the power lumbar motor electrical connector.
10. Position the backrest foam pad to the backrest frame.
NOTE: Do not install a used heater mat to any foam pad. It will not adhere correctly causing it to bunch up and may cause system failure.
11. If installing a new heater mat, attach the backrest heater mat to the backrest foam pad.
    • Remove the paper backing from the adhesive strips.
    • Align the heater mat to the foam pad and apply it to the foam making sure it lays flat, without wrinkles and is tucked into the valleys of the foam pad.

    Climate controlled seat 

NOTE: Before assembly, inspect the climate controlled seat components for damage, crush, obstruction and foreign material and repair as needed.
Fig 1: Location of Backrest Manifold And Foam Pad
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
12. Align the backrest manifold and insert into the valleys of the foam pad.
    • Check for correct fit between the manifold, foam pad and TED assembly, to make sure there is no air flow obstruction or cushion crush.
13. Install new hog rings to the upper support spring and foam pad.
    Fig 2: Location of Hog Rings From Upper Support Spring

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.

    All seats 

14. Position the backrest trim cover to the backrest frame and foam pad and install new rear upper hog rings to the backrest frame.
15. Roll the backrest trim cover downward and attach the hook-and-loop strips.
    • If removed, install new hog rings as noted during disassembly.
    Fig 3: Location of Hook-And-Loop Strips

    Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
16. Attach the backrest cover lower J-strips.
17. Install 2 new head restraint guide sleeves. For additional information, refer to Head Restraint Guide Sleeve  .
18. Install the 2 pin-type retainers and trim cover flaps to the recliners, if equipped.
19. Install the front seat backrest. For additional information, refer to Seat Backrest - Front  .