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Side Airbag Module: Removal

CAUTION: Refer to CAUTION  of "General Description" before handling the airbag module.
NOTE: Remove the passenger's side by referring to driver's side.
  1. Remove the headrest.
    NOTE: For models with headrest monitor, remove the headrest in the following procedures.
    1. Fold the backrest all the way backward, and then remove the headrest.
    2. Place the headrest on the seating face.
    3. Return the backrest to the original position.
  2. Disconnect the ground cable from battery and wait for at least 60 seconds before starting work.
    NOTE: For the power seat, remove the slide rail installing bolt before removing the battery ground.
  3. Remove the front seats.
    1. Remove the slide rail installing bolt.
      1. Tilt the backrest forward and move the seat to the front most position.
      2. Remove the rear bolt cover (A) and remove the two bolts.
      3. Move the seat to the rearmost position.
      4. Remove the front bolt cover (B) and remove the two bolts.
      Fig 1: Identifying Rear And Front Bolt Covers
      G06653133Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
    2. Disconnect the connector under the seat.
      CAUTION: Disconnect the ground cable from battery, and wait 60 seconds before disconnecting the connector.
      • Seat belt warning light connector (driver's seat)
      • Occupant detection system harness connector (passenger's seat)
      • Side airbag connector
      • Seat heater connector (model with seat heater)
      • Power seat connector (model with power seats)
      • Headrest monitor connector (model with headrest monitor)
    3. Take out the front seat from the vehicle.
    CAUTION: Be careful not to damage the body.
  4. Remove the seat lifter lever. (Manual seat)
    1. Using a flat tip screwdriver, remove the seat lifter lever cover (a).
    2. Remove the screw and remove the seat lifter lever.
    Fig 2: Locating Seat Lifter Lever Screws
    G06653134Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  5. Remove the reclining lever cover. (Manual seat)
    1. Pull up the reclining lever and release the claws on the back.
    2. Pull out the reclining lever cover.
    Fig 3: Removing Reclining Lever Cover (Manual Seat)
    G06653135Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  6. Remove the seat side cover OUT.
    • MANUAL SEAT
      1. Remove the screws.
      2. Release the claw in the upper section of the seat side cover.
      3. Release the claw in the rear section of the seat side cover.
      4. Release the claw in the front section of the seat side cover, then remove the seat side cover OUT.
      Fig 4: Removing Manual Seat Side Cover Screws
      G06653136Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
    • POWER SEAT
      1. Release the claw in the rear section of the seat side cover.
      2. Release the claw in the upper section of the seat side cover.
      3. Remove the clip and release the claw in the front section of the seat side cover
      4. Disconnect the power seat switch connector and remove the seat side cover OUT.
    Fig 5: Removing Power Seat Side Cover Screws
    G06653137Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  7. Remove the inner seat belt assembly.
    1. Remove the nut and remove the inner seat belt assembly.
    2. Remove the clip for the inner seat belt harness located under the seat cushion.
    Fig 6: Locating Inner Seat Belt Assembly Nut
    G06653138Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  8. Remove the seat side cover IN.
    • MANUAL SEAT
      1. Remove the screws.
      2. Release the claw in the upper section of the seat side cover.
      3. Release the claw in the rear section of the seat side cover, then remove the seat side cover IN.
      Fig 7: Removing Manual Seat Side Seat Cover Claws
      G06653139Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
    • POWER SEAT
      1. Remove the screws.
      2. Release the claw in the rear section of the seat side cover.
      3. Release the claw in the upper section of the seat side cover, then remove the seat side cover IN.
      Fig 8: Removing Upper Section Of Power Seat Side Cover Claws
      G06653140Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  9. Separate the backrest assembly and the seat cushion assembly.
    1. Remove the clip for the side airbag harness located under the seat cushion.
    2. Remove the bolts from reclining hinge of both sides.
    3. While taking care not to damage the airbag harness, separate the backrest assembly and the seat cushion assembly.
    • MANUAL SEAT
      Fig 9: Locating Backrest Assembly And Seat Cushion Assembly Bolts (Manual Seat)
      G06653141Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
    • POWER SEAT
    Fig 10: Locating Backrest Assembly And Seat Cushion Assembly Bolts (Power Seat)
    G06653142Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  10. Remove the backrest back cover.
    1. Remove the screws.
    2. Release the hooks by pulling down the back cover and remove the backrest back cover.
    Fig 11: Locating Backrest Back Cover Screws
    G07916437Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
  11. Remove the side airbag module assembly.
    CAUTION:
    • Be careful not to tear the vinyl inside the seat when removing the hog rings. If torn, replace with a new part.
    • Do not open the (plastic) protective cover of the airbag. If any damage is present in the protective cover (such as airbag module cloth coming out), replace the side airbag module assembly with a new one.
    1. Remove the hooks and hog rings.
      Fig 12: Locating Hooks And Hog Rings
      G06653144Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
    2. Remove the backrest pad & cover from backrest assembly.
    3. Remove the mounting nuts of the side airbag module.
      Fig 13: Locating Side Airbag Module Mounting Nuts
      G06653145Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
    4. Remove the side airbag harness from backrest frame assembly.
    5. While taking care not to damage the airbag (plastic) protective cover, remove the side airbag module assembly.
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