Front seat back — disassembly and assembly (Body and coating / Salon elements / Ford Focus 1 1998-2004)

Disassembly

All cars

1. Remove the headrest.

2. Detach the plastic fastening strip from the base of the seat back.

CAUTION: To avoid damaging the lumbar support adjustment mechanism, apply even pressure to opposite sides of the handwheel.

NOTE: Vehicles equipped with a head restraint have a console for the lumbar support adjustment mechanism.

Remove the lumbar support adjustment mechanism (if equipped).

NOTE: Do not remove the retaining ring.

Remove the armrest (if present).

1. Move the cover to access the retaining ring.
2. Release the retaining ring.
3. Remove the armrest.

3-door variants

5. Disconnect the seatback lock lever cables at the base of the seatback.

1. Disconnect the outer cables from the seat frame.
2. Disconnect the inner lock lever cable.

6. Disconnect the inner seatback locking cable.

1. Raise the locking lever.
2. Disconnect the inner lock lever cable.

7. Disconnect the seat back lock lever housing.

1. Using a suitable screwdriver, release the locking tab.
2. Disconnect the housing from the seat back frame.

8. Remove the seat back lock lever housing.

Disconnect the outer lock lever cable from the housing.

9. Remove the seat back lock lever trim.

All cars

10. Roll the seat cover up towards the top of the seat back to access the side tension rods.

11. Disconnect the lower ends of the side tension rods.

12. Roll the seat cover from top to bottom on the back of the seat.

13. Disconnect the upper ends of the side tension rods.

14. Roll the seat cover up the seat back frame to expose the upper spring frame.

15. Cut the curved rings securing the seat cover to the top edge of the spring frame assembly.

Cars with side airbags

16.

WARNING: Do not reuse the plastic fastening rivet. Always use a new rivet from the service kit. Failure to follow this warning may make it difficult for the airbag to deploy and may cause injury.

Remove the side airbag module deployment mechanism bushing retainer.

Remove and discard the black plastic factory rivet.

17.

WARNING: Do not attempt to separate the plastic retaining strips in any way other than as described. Failure to follow this warning may impede airbag deployment and cause injury

Disconnect the plastic fastening strips that hold the side airbag deployment mechanism bushing

All cars

18. Remove the headrest guide tubes.

Using a suitable screwdriver, release the locking tab.

19. Remove the seat cover from the top of the seat frame.

1. Remove the plastic mounting strip.
2. Remove the seat cover.

20. Remove the side tension rods from the seat cover if installing a new seat cover.

21. Remove the seat back foam pad and heater mat (if equipped).

22.

CAUTION: Make sure the exact position of the anti-squeak mat is marked on the seat frame.

Remove the anti-squeak mat.

Cars with side airbags

23. Remove the side airbag module. Refer to Section 501-20A / 501-20B for additional information.

Assembly

All cars

1. Use the curved ring pliers to close the curved rings. Do not use any other tools. The curved rings must be closed by overlapping as shown in the picture.

Cars with side airbags

2. Install the side airbag module. Refer to Section 501-20A / 501-20B for additional information.

All cars

3.

WARNING: Make sure the anti-squeak carpet is correctly positioned on the seat frame. Failure to follow this warning may impede air bag deployment and cause injury. The anti-squeak carpet is sold as a one-size accessory that should be cut to fit the carpet being replaced.

NOTE: Install the anti-squeak mat onto the seat back frame.

Install a non-squeak mat.

CAUTION: Make sure the seat back foam pad is properly positioned around the side air bag module. If installing a new seat back foam pad on a 3-door vehicle, the foam pad will need to be cut to facilitate installation of the tilt lever mechanism.

Install the seat back foam pad.

3-door variants

5.

NOTE: If installing a new seat back foam pad, the foam pad will need to be cut to facilitate installation of the tilt lever mechanism.

Using the tilt lever trim as a template, cut the seat back foam around the perimeter of the top inside edge of the trim.

All cars

6.

NOTE: If installing a new seat back foam pad, it is necessary to drill a hole in the foam pad to facilitate installation of the wiring harness.

Install the heater mat (if equipped).

7. Insert the side tension rods into the seat cover if installing a new seat cover.

8. Secure the seat cover mounting strip to the back of the seat frame top.

1. Install the seat cover onto the seat frame.
2. Secure the plastic mounting strip.

Cars with side airbags

9. Secure the plastic retaining strip to secure the side airbag deployment mechanism bushing.

10.

WARNING: Do not reuse the plastic fastener rivet. Always use a new rivet from the service kit. Failure to follow this warning may impede air bag deployment and cause personal injury.

Secure the side airbag module deployment mechanism bushing.

Insert the colored plastic rivet into the plastic fastening strip that secures the side airbag module deployment mechanism bushing.

All cars

11. Install the curved seat cover mounting rings to the top edge of the spring frame assembly.

12. Roll the seat cover from top to bottom on the seat back frame towards the upper spring frame assembly.

13. Secure the upper ends of the side tension rods.