2012 Outback Side Curtain Airbag Replacement Procedure
Note:Before beginning, ensure your clothing and hands are free from dirt and grease. Find a clear and clean area to lay removed trim parts to avoid getting dirt on or damaging those parts.
The reverse side of the Headliner Trim Panel has a pressed fiberglass layer. The residue from this layer may cause irritation to the skin and may leave dust inside the interior of the vehicle. Please wear safety glasses and protective gloves to keep fiberglass away from skin and to keep trim clean. Remove and properly discard the gloves afier installation is complete and thoroughly vacuum the entire interior of the vehicle.
Disassembly
Use extreme care when removing, positioning and storing trim parts to avoid damaging them. Be careful to keep all interior parts clean. Pay close attention to the original position of all trim panels and weather strips to maintain fit and finish.
If any trim clips break during disassembly, make sure new clips are used during assembly.
1. Open hood, doors, tailgate and sunroof (if equipped). Lower all windows. Position front seats forward, just past mid-position.
2. Record radio stations.
3. Disconnect "Negative" Battery Cable from battery terminal.
^ Be careful not to touch Battery Cable to metal objects.
^ Be careful of Battery Terminal grease so as to not get it on interior parts.
4. Remove the overhead console assembly.
^ Push and open the rear end of the overhead console lid, and remove the screws.
^ Disconnect the connector and remove the overhead console assembly.
5. Remove the left and right sun visor assembly.
^ Remove the cover, loosen the screws, and remove the sun visor assembly.
^ Press the both sides of the sun visor hook using a flat tip screwdriver. Remove the sun visor hook by pulling toward you.
6. Remove the left and right front pillar trims.
^ Pull the upper part of the front pillar trim towards the center of the vehicle.
^ Insert long-nose pliers into the top part of the trim~ grip the clip with pliers and twist 90°.
CAUTION:
Be careful not to damage the pillar trim surface and curtain airbag module when inserting the pliers.
^ Holding the clip twisted as in the previous step, remove the front pillar trim from the clip.
^ Release the lower clip from the body and remove the front pillar trim.
7. Release the claws, and then remove the left and right front side sill cover.
CAUTION:
Do not pull with excessive force. Doing so may damage the claws of the side sill cover.
NOTE:
To release the claws of the side sill cover, the following steps are recommended.
^ Take out the weather strip from under the side sill cover.
^ Turn over the floor mat and release the claw (C-C) by accessing from behind the side sill cover.
8. Remove all assist grip assemblies.
^ Remove the cap (a) by inserting a small flat screwdriver in each side and compress the latch.
^ Pull the assist grip toward you (to the vehicle center) and remove the metal clip from the bracket by pulling sharply on the handle.
9. Remove the rear seat cushion assembly. Pull up the seat cushion and release the hook.
CAUTION:
If the hook is disconnected from the vehicle body, replace the hook with a new one to ensure proper retention of the seat.
^ Disengage the hook (A) by pushing it back while lifting the front side of the seat cushion~ and remove the seat cushion.
10. Release the clips and claws, and then remove the left and right rear side sill covers.
CAUTION:
Do not pull with excessive force. Doing so may damage the claws of the side sill cover.
NOTE:
To release the claws of the side sill cover, the following steps are recommended.
^ Take out the weather strip from under the side sill cover.
^ Turn over the floor mat and release the claw (C-C and D-D) by accessing from behind the side sill cover.
11. Remove the left and right lower center pillar trim.
^ Release the clip by pulling the lower center pillar trim toward you.
^ Expand the claws of the center pillar trim outward and remove it from the upper center pillar trim.
CAUTION:
Do not expand the lower center pillar trim excessively. Doing so may damage the trim.
12. Remove the upper center pillar trim. Remove the seat belt lower anchor bolt.
^ Release the clip by pulling the upper center pillar trim toward you.
^ Remove the upper center pillar trim by lowering the entire trim.
^ Pull out the seat belt and remove the upper center pillar trim.
CAUTION:
Do not reuse upper center pillar trim clip. Clip must be replaced prior to assembly.
13. Remove the room light assembly.
^ Release the claws and remove the lens. Remove the two screws.
^ Disconnect the connector and remove the room light assembly.
14. Remove the clips, and remove the luggage floor box and rear floor edge cover.
15. Tilt the backrest forward and release the clips of the backrest backside mat.
16. Remove the left and right backrest side pad assemblies.
^ Disconnect the backrest cable and reclining lever cable.
^ Remove the screws and remove the reclining lever assembly by pulling it downward.
^ Move the bottom end of the backrest side pad in the forward direction so that the claws are released.
^ Remove the backrest side pad by pulling it up.
17. Remove the left and right lower rear quarter trim.
^ Remove the caps, screws and bolts. (A), (C)
^ Lower the hook and remove the screw inside. (B)
^ Remove the clips, and remove the lower rear quarter trim.
^ Be extremely careful to not scratch the trim panel on exposed metal brackets.
18. Remove the left and right upper rear quarter trim.
^ Open the cap and remove the bolt to remove the seat belt anchor.
^ Remove the clips, and remove the front upper rear quarter trim. Remove the clips, and remove the rear upper rear quarter.
19. If equipped, release the headliner sunroof opening garnish from the garnish lip. Do not remove the garnish from the body.
20. Remove the luggage light.
^ Release the claws and remove the luggage room light main body.
^ Disconnect the connector and remove the luggage room light.
21. Disconnect the roof harness connector at the right front pillar.
22. Lower the headliner assembly.
^ Release the clips and remove the feeder cord and roof cord from the roof trim.
AIRBAG Removal
CAUTION:
If Battery was reconnected for any reason prior to the next step, make sure it is disconnected (disconnect Negative Battery Cable) for at least 60 seconds before proceeding.
^ Be careful not to damage the Side Curtain Airbag Assembly during removal.
23. Disconnect Side Curtain Airbag electrical connector (located at the rear end of the Side Curtain Airbag Assembly).
24. Remove all bolts and clips~ and remove the side curtain airbag assembly
Important:
^ Start with the front bolt of the Side Curtain Airbag and move towards the rear.
^ Be careful not to disturb the routing of the Sun Roof Drain tubes (if equipped).
^ Be careful when removing bolts~ that the metal brackets which are part of the Side Curtain Airbag Assembly do not damage seat covers or other interior trim parts as they fall to a lower position. You may want to tape or secure a rag to the end brackets for protection.
^ Be careful not to mix the Side Curtain Airbag bolts with other trim part bolts. Use the same bolts for reinstalling the new Side Curtain Airbag.
Side Curtain Airbag Installation
Note:
Retain the packaging in which the new Side Curtain Airbag was shipped. It will be required for returning the removed Side Curtain Airbag.
1. Install Side Curtain Airbag
^ Start with the rear bolt and move forward.
^ Torque Side Curtain Airbag bolts to 7.5 N-m (0.76 kgf-m, 5.5 ft.lb.)
^ Connect Side Curtain Airbag electrical connector.
Assembly
1. Assembly can be accomplished by reversing the order of disassembly.
^ Make sure all electrical connectors are connected.
^ Make sure to torque seatbelt anchor bolts to proper spec, 3.0 N-m (3.06 kgf-m, 22.1 ft.lb.)
2. Afier assembly is complete, connect Negative Battery Cable.
NOTE:
^ Vacuum Interior of Vehicle.
^ Remove gloves and discard properly before re-entering vehicle. Remove all fiberglass residue on Seats, Carpet and Interior Trim including Instrument Panel.
3. Check operation of interior lighting, Center Room Lamp, Map Lights and Sun visor Vanity lights. If equipped, check Sunroof operation including auto-reverse function.
4. Verify Airbag System operation by turning key on and confirming Airbag System Warning Lamp goes out afier 6 seconds.
5. Reset radio stations and clock.