Any tips for how to remove the plastic seat trim panels on the sides of the lower seat without breaking them? I did the passenger seat but couldn't get the trim panel off without massive force. I ended up breaking one of the tabs off that has the "side shield retainers" (metal clip thing) and the other "side shield retainer" is all bent and will no longer stay in the notch it goes into (broke a few of the tongs off on it trying to re-shape it with my needle nose pliers). Those side shield retainers are an SOB, I had to use two pairs of pliers at the same time to remove the one that broke off, and it took me at least 5 minutes of bending it beyond recognition to get it out.

I printed out the online service manual pages that pertain to these pieces and found this nice tidbit:

"NOTICE:
Do not reinstall the cushion side shield or side shield retainers after removal. These are one-time-use items that become damaged during
removal and may not remain attached if reinstalled. Install a new side shield during seat assembly."

At $54 per (one-time-use) panel, I want to try not to break the driver side one today if possible...

TIA

 

I reached up into the bottom of the seat and pinched the metal clips while pulling on the plastic piece. Be careful not to rub a lot though because the sharp edges under the seat will cut you up pretty good.

I think Ford makes a tool for removing the clips but I did not buy one.

 

I ended up breaking the clip(s) too and had to fork out the $54 to replace the passenger...for some reason, the driver's side just popped out...

 

I took my time and got the drives side one out by reaching up under the seat cushion like you suggested instead of the brute force method that failed on the passenger side .

Found a website that sells them for $39.95 https://parts.autonationfordwhitebea...dex.php?p=cart
My local ford dealership price matched them (they wanted $64 initially), so I ordered a replacement passenger side one.

Hopefully this will help someone else if they happen to break one. These are for the basic manual seats (passenger side has one handle opening, driver side has 2)

BR3Z-7662186-AA (passenger side)
BR3Z-6362187-BA (drivers side)

 

THIS! I was scared to death I was going to ruin those pieces but if you can get your fingers under there and squeeze on the other side of the clips, they can be worked right out.

 

Thanks for this post...just in case I want to switch out the leather covers again for something else...