2024-09-04

Cover - Back Rest - Driver (With Inboard Airbag) (Remove and Replace)

Correction code 13071022 0.96 NOTE: Unless otherwise explicitly stated in the procedure, the above correction code and FRT reflect all of the work required to perform this procedure, including the linked procedures. Do not stack correction codes unless explicitly told to do so. NOTE: See Flat Rate Times to learn more about FRTs and how they are created. To provide feedback on FRT values, email ServiceManualFeedback@tesla.com. NOTE: See Personal Protection to make sure wearing proper PPE when performing the below procedure. See Ergonomic Precautions for safe and healthy working practices.

Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
Warning
Seat base edges are sharp and can cause personal injury. Wear cut resistant gloves when removing the seat from the vehicle, and while performing procedures that involve work on or near the seat base.

Remove

  1. Remove the driver seat from the vehicle. See Seat Assembly - 1st Row - LH (Remove and Replace).
  2. Remove the driver seat headrest trim. See Trim - Headrest - Driver (Remove and Replace).
  3. Rotate the seat to gain access to the underside of the seat cushion frame.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Protect the seat cushion from damage.
  4. Unhook the clips that attach the lower section of the seat back trim and move the seat back flap away from the working area.
  5. Disconnect the seat back heater connector.
  6. Slide the seat back heater connector downward to release it from the seat assembly.
  7. Return the seat to the upright position.
  8. Remove the seat back shell from the seat. See Shell - Seat Back - Driver (Remove and Replace).
  9. Unhook the upper flaps that cover the LH and RH lower corners of the seat back frame.
    Figure 1. LH shown; RH similar
  10. Unhook the lower flaps that cover the LH and RH lower corners of the seat back frame.
    Figure 2. LH shown; RH similar
  11. Release the seat back trim retainers (x7) from the seat back frame.
  12. Pull the seat upholstery away from the side air bag to gain access to the air bag electrical connector, and then disconnect the driver side air bag connector.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Press and hold the black tabs on both sides of the connector, and then pull the connector down to release to disconnect it.
  13. Pull the seat upholstery away from the inboard airbag to gain access to the air bag electrical connector, and then disconnect the electrical connector.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Press and hold the black tabs on both sides of the connector, and then pull the connector down to release to disconnect it.
  14. Remove the bolt that attaches the bottom of the lumbar support to the seat assembly.
    5 Nm (3.7 lbs-ft)
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The bolt is located below the lumbar ECU. Removing this bolt allows ease of access for the following step.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 10 mm socket
  15. Release the tabs (x2) that attach the lower portion of the power lumbar assembly to the seat back frame.
  16. Remove and discard the nuts that attach the side airbag to the seat back frame, and then pull the studs of the airbag out of the seat back frame.
    5.4 Nm (4.0 lbs-ft)
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Do not remove the airbag from the airbag chute.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Do not use impact tools.
  17. Remove and discard the nuts (x2) that attach the inboard airbag to the seat back frame, and then pull the studs of the airbag out of the seat back frame.
    5.4 Nm (4.0 lbs-ft)
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Do not remove the airbag from the airbag chute.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Do not use impact tools.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 10 mm socket
  18. Release the bottom of the seat back foam from the seat back frame, and then lift the foam assembly straight up and off the frame.
  19. Slide the side airbag chute with the airbag still inside through the seat back foam, and then carefully remove the airbag from the airbag chute.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Make sure that the driver side airbag mounting studs do not catch in the holes of the airbag chute.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Handle the airbag with extreme care when removing it from the airbag chute. The airbag is configured/folded in a specific manner and will need to be replaced if it is dropped, altered or manipulated in any way.
  20. Slide the inboard airbag chute with the airbag still inside through the seat back foam, and then carefully remove the airbag from the airbag chute.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Make sure that the driver side airbag mounting studs do not catch in the holes of the airbag chute.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Handle the airbag with extreme care when removing it from the airbag chute. The airbag is configured/folded in a specific manner and will need to be replaced if it is dropped, altered or manipulated in any way.
  21. Release the strap that attaches the driver seat seat back trim to the seat back foam.
  22. Remove the hog rings (x3) that attach the remaining trim to the seat foam, and then remove the driver seat back cover with inboard airbag from the seat assembly.

Install

  1. Position the driver seat back cover onto the seat back foam, and then install the hog rings (x3) that attach the cover to foam.
  2. Install the strap and secure the Velcro strips that attach the driver seat back cover to the seat back foam.
  3. Install the inboard airbag into the airbag chute, and then insert the airbag chute with the airbag inside through the slot in the seat back foam.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Make sure that the driver side airbag mounting studs extend out of the holes of the chute.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Handle the airbag with extreme care when installing it into the airbag chute. The airbag is configured/folded in a specific manner and will need to be replaced if it is dropped, altered or manipulated in any way.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Refer to the following video for proper care when installing the driver side airbag into the airbag chute, and when installing the chute through the seat foam.
  4. Install the driver side airbag into the airbag chute, and then insert the airbag chute with the airbag inside through the slot in the seat back foam.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Make sure that the driver side airbag mounting studs extend out of the holes of the chute.
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Handle the airbag with extreme care when installing it into the airbag chute. The airbag is configured/folded in a specific manner and will need to be replaced if it is dropped, altered or manipulated in any way.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Refer to the following video for proper care when installing the driver side airbag into the airbag chute, and when installing the chute through the seat foam.
  5. Install the driver seat seat back and foam assembly onto the seat back frame.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    Start by sliding the foam trim straight onto the seat back frame. Ensure the posts for the headrests engage the seat back foam. Ensure the heater harness and lower trim that engages the frame are pushed through to the back side of the frame.
  6. Install the side airbag to the seat frame, and then install new nuts to attach the airbag to the frame.
    5.4 Nm (4.0 lbs-ft) +/- 0.9 Nm
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Use only hand tools to torque the nuts. Do not use impact tools.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 10 mm socket
  7. Connect the electrical harness to the side airbag connector.
  8. Install the inboard airbag into the seat frame, and then install new nuts (x2) that attach the airbag to the frame.
    5.4 Nm (4.0 lbs-ft) +/- 0.9 Nm
    Warning IconA warning icon, calling your attention to a possibly risky situation
    CAUTION
    Use only hand tools to torque the nuts. Do not use impact tools.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 10 mm socket
  9. Connect the inboard airbag connector.
  10. Secure the tabs (x2) that attach the lower portion of the power lumbar assembly onto the seat back frame.
  11. Install the bolt that attaches the bottom of the lumbar support to the seat assembly.
    5 Nm (3.7 lbs-ft)
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    Note
    The bolt is located below the lumbar ECU.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Use of the following tool(s) is recommended:
    • 10 mm socket
  12. Hook the lower flaps that cover the LH and RH lower corners of the seat back frame.
    Figure 3. LH shown; RH similar
  13. Hook the upper flaps that cover the LH and RH lower corners of the seat back frame.
    Figure 4. LH shown; RH similar
  14. Secure the seat back trim retainers (x7) to the seat back frame.
  15. Install the seat back shell to the seat. See Shell - Seat Back - Driver (Remove and Replace).
  16. Install the driver headrest trim. See Trim - Headrest - Driver (Remove and Replace).
  17. Rotate the seat to gain access to the underside of the seat cushion frame.
    Informational PurposesAn informational icon, calling your attention
    TIp
    Protect the seat cushion from damage.
  18. Install the seat back heater connector onto the seat assembly, and then connect the connector.
  19. Return the seat to the upright position.
  20. Install the driver seat from the vehicle. See Seat Assembly - 1st Row - LH (Remove and Replace).