Drivers Seat latch all of a sudden won't latch

[1Paladin]

For some reason the drivers seat latch only closes when the seat is all the way down.

When I lift the latch and move the seat to a normal sitting position the latch won't close like it used to, it is stuck open and the seat obviously won't stay put. It may be related to the back of the seat as there seems to be more play in it than usual.

This is on an EB 2000 explorer with leather seats.

 

[KPT]

Check the bottom part of the seat around where the hinge/latch bolts to it. Its somewhat common for the seat frame to crack there.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Here is a pic of what you're getting into to check. I had the bolts circled for someone else- ignore that...

 

[1Paladin]

Wow thanks for that pic. I can see part of that spring. How do I remove the seat to get to this though? Sorry I never had to mess with a seat before

 

[Joe Dirt]

5 bolts gets it out- 2 in the front on the floor, then run the seat forward to give yourself some more room and remove the 2 in the back under the trim covers.

Then you'll need to remove the seatbelt bolt (bolts through the carpet, not where it attaches to the seat) after removing the cover on the trim piece hiding the bolt... (T50 torx bit to remove that bolt) and have a ratchet and a length of pipe or a breaker bar or something- sometimes they're tough since they all go through the floor.

Aftger they're all out, then unhook the power and seatbelt harnesses.

Before you put them back, spray them with WD-40. I've had my seats out about 8 times now, and I'm down to about 2 minutes to remove a front seat. Me fast like cat...

 

[1Paladin]

Thanks man I REALLY appreciate that. Maybe I will pull it out this weekend. if I can somehow fix this then I am set.

Now to figure out how to fix this damn check engine error
That is for another post

 

[Joe Dirt]

No prob- If your latch is shot, let me know- I should have a spare around here.

 

[1Paladin]

I finally got to take a better look at what I am dealing with. It is not the lever or anything like that.

The problem is the seat back has some give in it now for some reason. So it does not stay aligned for the lever to work.

I think I can drill a hole through two pieces of metal and put a cotter pin or bolt in there. That will keep the seat aligned to the bracket that moves with the lever.

Sorry if this is not explained very well but I wanted to update the post.

 

[1Paladin]

UPDATE: Here is a picture of it. I drilled a hole through both brackets but I would need a pin that is VERY strong. I put a cotter pin as seen in the photo but that is not nearly strong enough.

I may have to weld this up. I know the problem is within the seat itself but I honestly do not feel like ripping the thing apart if I can get away with it

I don't really know. Any ideas on what broke within it and would it be an easy fix?

Both these brackets move together on the good seat. On the bad one the inner one moves with the seat back
The outter bracket moves with the seat adjuster..

 

[1Paladin]

:BUMP:

Joe Dirt, what do you think man?

 

[Joe Dirt]

Shouldn't there be a bolt or something in there? I can't quite exactly picture where that is...

 

[1Paladin]

Shouldn't there be a bolt or something in there? I can't quite exactly picture where that is...

No the passenger side just has those brackets next to each other but they move together with no play. The bad, drivers side the inner one moves with the seat back while the other moves with the seat lever. I drilled a hole as you can see, thinking I would put a bolt or something to force them to stay together.

The stress seems a bit much for a single bolt though. Kind of like metal cutters cutting through a bolt.

I was thinking of seeing if I can just weld it but the main problem but be in the seat itself somehow....