CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHOR
DESCRIPTION
This vehicle is equipped with a Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren, or LATCH child restraint anchorage system. The second row seats in these vehicles are equipped with a fixed-position child restraint upper tether anchor (2) for both the center and the two outboard seating positions, and child restraint lower anchors (1) for the two outboard seating positions.
The upper tether anchors (1) are each integral to the second row seat back panels. These anchors are each constructed from short lengths of heavy-gauge steel wire that is securely welded into stamped steel cups that are integral to the seat back panels. There is a separate molded plastic trim bezel (2) located around each of these anchors. The child restraint upper tether anchors cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if ineffective or damaged, they must be replaced as a unit with their respective second row seat back panels.
The right outboard and both left lower anchors (2) are integral to the second row seat back hinges, which are secured to the rear floor panel at the rear with studs and nuts, and at the front with screws. The right inboard lower anchor is integral to a separate child anchor bracket that is secured to the rear floor panel at the rear with a stud and a nut, and at the front along with the right and center anchor seat belt buckles with a screw. These anchors are each constructed from a heavy-gauge steel wire loop that is securely welded to the hinge or child anchor brackets. The anchor loops are located where the second row seat back (1) meets the seat cushion (3). The child restraint lower tether anchors cannot be adjusted or repaired and, if ineffective or damaged, they must be replaced as a unit with their respective second row seat hinge or child anchor brackets.
WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury, during and following any seat belt or child restraint anchor service, carefully inspect all seat belts, buckles, mounting hardware, retractors, tether straps, and anchors for proper installation, operation, or damage. Replace any belt that is cut, frayed, or torn. Straighten any belt that is twisted. Tighten any loose fasteners. Replace any belt that has a damaged or ineffective buckle or retractor. Replace any belt that has a bent or damaged latch plate or anchor plate. Replace any child restraint anchor or the unit to which the anchor is integral that has been bent or damaged. Never attempt to repair a seat belt or child restraint component. Always replace damaged or ineffective seat belt and child restraint components with the correct, new and unused replacement parts listed in the DaimlerChrysler Mopar® Parts Catalog.
OPERATION
All vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States and Canada are required to be equipped with a Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren, or LATCH child restraint anchorage system. The second row seats in this vehicle have two pairs of anchor provisions for installing a LATCH-compatible child seat. A single seat may be mounted in the center seating position, or one in each outboard seating position.
With LATCH, child seats are secured by direct attachment to the vehicle seat structure, rather than by the seat belts. With LATCH-compatible child seats, lower anchors attach to the seat structure through heavy-gauge wire loops located at the intersection between the seat cushion and the seat back surfaces.
Three upper tether anchors are integral to the second row seat back frames to secure the top tether strap of child seats equipped with this feature. These upper tether anchors work with both LATCH-compatible and other child seats equipped with a top tether strap.
The owner's information packet in the vehicle glove box contains details and suggestions on the proper use of all of the factory-installed child restraint anchors.
REMOVAL
WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury, during and following any seat belt or child restraint anchor service, carefully inspect all seat belts, buckles, mounting hardware, retractors, tether straps, and anchors for proper installation, operation, or damage. Replace any belt that is cut, frayed, or torn. Straighten any belt that is twisted. Tighten any loose fasteners. Replace any belt that has a damaged or ineffective buckle or retractor. Replace any belt that has a bent or damaged latch plate or anchor plate. Replace any child restraint anchor or the unit to which the anchor is integral that has been bent or damaged. Never attempt to repair a seat belt or child restraint component. Always replace damaged or ineffective seat belt and child restraint components with the correct, new and unused replacement parts listed in the DaimlerChrysler Mopar® Parts Catalog.
NOTE: The following procedure is for servicing the second row right inboard child restraint lower anchor and bracket. The second row right outboard and both left lower anchors are integral to their respective seat back hinge brackets. (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/SEAT BACK - REAR - DISASSEMBLY).
1. Remove the second row right and center anchor buckle unit (2) from the rear floor panel (1). (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/SEAT BELT BUCKLE - REMOVAL - SECOND ROW RIGHT AND CENTER ANCHOR).
2. Remove the nut (4) from the stud (6) that secures the rear of the child anchor bracket (5) to the rear floor panel.
3. Disengage the child anchor bracket from the stud and remove the bracket from under the second row seat back.
INSTALLATION
WARNING: To avoid serious or fatal injury, during and following any seat belt or child restraint anchor service, carefully inspect all seat belts, buckles, mounting hardware, retractors, tether straps, and anchors for proper installation, operation, or damage. Replace any belt that is cut, frayed, or torn. Straighten any belt that is twisted. Tighten any loose fasteners. Replace any belt that has a damaged or ineffective buckle or retractor. Replace any belt that has a bent or damaged latch plate or anchor plate. Replace any child restraint anchor or the unit to which the anchor is integral that has been bent or damaged. Never attempt to repair a seat belt or child restraint component. Always replace damaged or ineffective seat belt and child restraint components with the correct, new and unused replacement parts listed in the DaimlerChrysler Mopar® Parts Catalog.
NOTE: The following procedure is for servicing the second row right inboard child restraint lower anchor and bracket. The second row right outboard and both left lower anchors are integral to their respective seat back hinge brackets. (Refer to 23 - BODY/SEATS/SEAT BACK - REAR - ASSEMBLY).
1. Position the child anchor bracket (5) under the second row seat back and engage it over the stud (6) on the rear floor panel (1).
2. Install and tighten the nut that secures the bracket to the stud. Tighten the nut to 80 N·m (59 ft. lbs.).
3. Reinstall the second row right and center anchor buckle unit (2) onto the rear floor panel. (Refer to 8 - ELECTRICAL/RESTRAINTS/SEAT BELT BUCKLE - INSTALLATION - SECOND ROW RIGHT AND CENTER ANCHOR).