Seat Recliner Bolt ?â€™s

nailhead_sled · 11-04-2004, 06:06 PM

Just curious to hear some feedback and results from those of you who have had your Driverâ€™s Seat Recliner Bolt replaced under the recall.
Did the replacement firm up your seat? Did it remedy the problem of the seat back reclining as soon as any weight is applied?

I am asking as earlier today while accelerating from a stop sign, I suddenly found myself near horizontal, admiring the headliner.
Iâ€™m not a small guy (6â€™6, 300lbs) so I am not sure if the issue is related to a broken bolt or due to the extra burrito I had at lunch.

I have called one of the local dealerâ€™s and made an appointment to have the recall work completed, but donâ€™t want to waste my time if this is a â€˜fat guy in a little seatâ€™ issue rather than an el cheapo hardware problem.

**MONMIX** · 11-04-2004, 07:51 PM

I noticed no differance when I got the bolt swap.
But then again I am all of 5'7" 180 lbs.

99explorer5.0 · 11-04-2004, 07:59 PM

My friend works at a ford dealership and replaced my seat bolts after he installed new brakes. We compared the new bolts to the ones that were already there and the only difference was one bolt was shorter than the original bolt.

Runnin'OnEmpty · 11-04-2004, 09:08 PM

I had the seatbolt recall done, and afterward it seemed like the seat was slightly tighter. If the bolt is worn or bent, perhaps that could make the seat recline. It's my understanding that the original bolt material was too soft, and could break in a collision or when under stress (such as ingesting extra burritos).

Chances are good the new bolt will fix it, and it dosn't take long. I was in and out in about 30 minutes.

thewishkah · 11-04-2004, 09:16 PM

I hear ya on the buritto Im a big guy , when I had that problem it was def not the bolt but after 129k the seat frame gave out where it hangs off the track in the back=(got it welded much better then before.

nailhead_sled · 11-04-2004, 09:35 PM

Without at least a partial tear down itâ€™s hard to determine whether or not the bolt is at fault.
The lever is still functional (albeit very loose), with the lever pulled the seat back will recline backwards and somewhat lock, however it will not articulate any further forward than the upright position (pass side seat back will swing well past the centerline and angle towards the dash). Also there seems to be no â€˜springâ€™ to the seat back when compared to pulling the lever on the passenger side.

Worst-case scenario the recall doesnâ€™t fix it and I hunt the junk yard for some power, leather units

**SoBeLover** · 11-04-2004, 10:54 PM

I have that problem with my seat too, right now there is a board pushing it upright.

thewishkah · 11-06-2004, 12:14 AM

ok just by hearing that it doesnt go past the upright spot I am willing to bet its the seat frame because mine was EXACTLY the same way

11-04-2004, 06:06 PM	#1
nailhead_sled Wannabe Elite Explorer Toronto,Ontario 1998 XLS Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 87 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Seat Recliner Bolt ?â€™s Just curious to hear some feedback and results from those of you who have had your Driverâ€™s Seat Recliner Bolt replaced under the recall. Did the replacement firm up your seat? Did it remedy the problem of the seat back reclining as soon as any weight is applied? I am asking as earlier today while accelerating from a stop sign, I suddenly found myself near horizontal, admiring the headliner. Iâ€™m not a small guy (6â€™6, 300lbs) so I am not sure if the issue is related to a broken bolt or due to the extra burrito I had at lunch. I have called one of the local dealerâ€™s and made an appointment to have the recall work completed, but donâ€™t want to waste my time if this is a â€˜fat guy in a little seatâ€™ issue rather than an el cheapo hardware problem. __________________ Money saving tip for Celtic fans - rather than waste more money on yet another replica kit, simply strap a large rubber dildo to your head. It'll be perfectly obvious to everyone who you support.

11-04-2004, 07:51 PM	#2
MONMIX I fix dents Millersville , Maryland 2000 Explorer Sport Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 8,849 Vehicle Specs	I noticed no differance when I got the bolt swap. But then again I am all of 5'7" 180 lbs. __________________ MONMIX Wheels and intake for sale Live your life for a change My Explorer CHURCH.... sort of

11-04-2004, 07:59 PM	#3
99explorer5.0 Wannabe Elite Explorer RI '99 XLT 5.0L Join Date: Oct 2000 Posts: 1,136 Vehicle Specs	My friend works at a ford dealership and replaced my seat bolts after he installed new brakes. We compared the new bolts to the ones that were already there and the only difference was one bolt was shorter than the original bolt. __________________ 99 EXPLORER XLT 5.0L AWD, KKM, Gibson Stainless Cat-Back, Sony MDX-C6500X Mini Disk, Sony 10 Disk CD Changer Rockford Fosgate BD1000.1, 15" Eclipse Aluminum 1000watt Sub, SilverStar Headlamps and Fogs 2002 Mustang GT 5 Speed with a few goodies

11-04-2004, 09:08 PM	#4
Runnin'OnEmpty Wannabe Elite Explorer Southeast USA 2000 Sport Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,557 Vehicle Specs	I had the seatbolt recall done, and afterward it seemed like the seat was slightly tighter. If the bolt is worn or bent, perhaps that could make the seat recline. It's my understanding that the original bolt material was too soft, and could break in a collision or when under stress (such as ingesting extra burritos). Chances are good the new bolt will fix it, and it dosn't take long. I was in and out in about 30 minutes. __________________ 2000 Sport 4x2, 4.0 ohv, 5R55E w/Superior shift kit, 3.55 diff, Mazda truck alloys/BFG TAs, RoadMaster Active Suspension, EE anti-sway bar, F&R poly bushings, camber kit, Rancho shocks, Hooker Aero Chamber muffler, Medium Wedgewood Blue..... Bought another 2000 Sport (God help me), 4.0 ohv auto, 60K actual miles, Cragar SS alloys/BFG TAs, AAL, EE anti-sway bar, Gibson cat-back, Harvest Gold, GT leather interior.

11-04-2004, 09:35 PM	#6
nailhead_sled Wannabe Elite Explorer Toronto,Ontario 1998 XLS Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 87 Vehicle Specs (Original Poster)	Without at least a partial tear down itâ€™s hard to determine whether or not the bolt is at fault. The lever is still functional (albeit very loose), with the lever pulled the seat back will recline backwards and somewhat lock, however it will not articulate any further forward than the upright position (pass side seat back will swing well past the centerline and angle towards the dash). Also there seems to be no â€˜springâ€™ to the seat back when compared to pulling the lever on the passenger side. Worst-case scenario the recall doesnâ€™t fix it and I hunt the junk yard for some power, leather units __________________ Money saving tip for Celtic fans - rather than waste more money on yet another replica kit, simply strap a large rubber dildo to your head. It'll be perfectly obvious to everyone who you support.

11-04-2004, 09:16 PM	#5
thewishkah Wannabe Elite Explorer Brooklyn New York 1994 explorer xlt Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,237 Vehicle Specs	I hear ya on the buritto Im a big guy , when I had that problem it was def not the bolt but after 129k the seat frame gave out where it hangs off the track in the back=(got it welded much better then before.

11-04-2004, 10:54 PM	#7
SoBeLover Explorer Babe Moderator Berlin, Connecticut Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 3,110 Vehicle Specs	I have that problem with my seat too, right now there is a board pushing it upright. __________________ Sandy "Life is a highway, I wanna' ride it all night long" Moderator:Explorer Babes

11-06-2004, 12:14 AM	#8
thewishkah Wannabe Elite Explorer Brooklyn New York 1994 explorer xlt Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,237 Vehicle Specs	ok just by hearing that it doesnt go past the upright spot I am willing to bet its the seat frame because mine was EXACTLY the same way