2002 Explorer rear seat

[neberly]

Just purchased a 2002 Explorer with the 40/20/40 rear seat. The center fold down seat was down and when I pushed on the latch to release it the plastic rod broke.

Anyone know how to get it to release short of drilling a hole into the plastic rod for a long screw? I'm fairly handy and can probably make shift something if some can give me an idea.

How do you replace it? I think once you have it upright the cover slides off and you should be able to get to the mechanism.

 

[neberly]

center rear seat

Since no responded to my query I figured I would need to figure it out on my own. I thought I would have to remove the seat back cover and did so only to find out that it was much easier than that
1. Flip the the left rear seat
2. Remove the plastic mechanism cover (1 phillips screw)
3. Remove the lower connection tab over the latch pin
4. Squeeze the plastic grommet tabs so you can slide it up through the
bracket
5. Slide the whole cable assembly up and out of the top of the seat.
6. Reverse procedure to replace with new cable assembly.

 

[djklein21]

where did you buy the new part from?