Driver/Passenger Seat Back Cover Torn (Replace Seat Back Cover, Foam Pad and Cut Off Seat back Frame Side Bolster Wires)

This bulletin is being revised to update the Correction information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 04-08-50-008 (Section 08 - Body and Accessories).

Some customers may comment that the driver and/or passenger seat back cover is torn. This tear will occur in the area of the outboard seat back side bolster and will appear fairly quick especially with leather seats. Occupant habits on how they get in and out of the vehicle will determine severity of the wear.

The cause of this condition may be due to the seat back frame side bolster wire rubbing through the seat back cover.

Replace the seat back cover, the foam pad and cut off the seat back frame side bolster wires, both inboard and outboard. Use the procedures and part numbers listed below.

1. Move the seat to the full forward position.
2. Remove the J-hook on the bottom of the seat back cover.
3. Remove the head restraint and the retainers.
4. Pull the cover halfway up the seat. Use your hand to disengage the hook and loop retainers on the seat back pad.
5. Remove the seat back cover by pulling the cover up and over the pad.
6. Remove the seat back foam pad from the seat frame. Disconnect the heated seat element wire, if equipped.
7. Cut off the inboard and outboard seat back frame side bolster wires using bolt cutters.
8. File off any sharp edges from the cut frame wires.
9. Transfer the heated seat element to the new seat back foam pad.
10. Install the new seat back foam pad to the seat frame. Connect the heated seat element wire, if equipped.
11. Install the new seat back cover and pull the cover one third down.
12. Install the head restraint retainers and head restraint.
13. Pull the cover all the way down.
14. Install the J-hook on the bottom of the seat back cover.
15. Use firm hand pressure to fasten the hook and loop retainers, securing the cover to the pad.

1. Move the seat to the full forward position.
2. Remove the seat back panel.

2.1.	Remove the cargo net.

2.2.	Remove the panel screws.





2.3.	Pull the panel bottom out to disengage the locator tab (1).

2.4.	Slide the panel up to disengage the retainer clip.

2.5.	Remove the trim panel from the seat.




3. Remove the J-hook on the back side of the seat back cover.
4. Remove the head restraint and the retainers.



5. Remove the hook and loop connectors on the lower back side of the cover.



6. Remove the hog rings from the trim cover to the lower pad.
7. Remove the seat back cover by pulling the cover up and over the pad.
8. Remove the seat back foam pad from the seat frame. Disconnect the heated seat element wire, if equipped.
9. Cut off the inboard and outboard seat back frame side bolster wires using bolt cutters.
10. File off any sharp edges from the cut frame wires.
11. Transfer the heated seat element to the new seat back foam pad.
12. Install the new seat back foam pad to the seat frame. Connect the heated seat element wire, if equipped.
13. Install the new seat back cover and pull the cover one third down.
14. Install the head restraint retainers, but not the head restraint, at this time.



15. Install the J-hooks on the back side of the seat back cover.
16. Install the hook and loop connectors on the lower back side of the cover.
17. Install the hog rings.
18. Install the seat back panel.

18.1.

Engage the retainer at the top of the panel.

18.2.

Engage the locator tab (1) in the seat back.

18.3.

Install the screws that secures the seat back trim panel.

Tighten
Tighten the screws to 3N·m(27 lb in).

18.4.

Install the cargo net.

19. Install the head restraint.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: