2nd row seats Ford Explorer spring load not working I have to force the seat up

[idanny76]

Has anyone experience this issue with the 2nd row seats. When you lift the handle, fold the back rest down and then pull the handle to lift the seat forward in order to access the 3rd row. I have to manually lift the seat up to fold forward. The passangeeside 2nd row works well by springing forward, but the driver side 2nd row, which is heavier..... is not spring loading forward. Also the passenger side lever is hard to pull up to lift forward. Both second row back rest fold fine.... only issue is spring loading the seat forward on one side and handle hard on the other side. Is there a way to wind the spring tension? Thank you for any help given.

I seen videos on YouTube and the seats have a spring load that puts some force up when unlatched from the floor. The force is not enough to completely move the seat forward, but at least lift enough as an indication that it has been unlatched and help with the weight of the seat when pushing it forward to access the 3rd row. One of the second row seats, when unlatched from the floor, you can't tell it's unlatched unless you use both hands.... I have to put one hand on the lever and on the other on the back of the seat to lift. I am a strong person and I know for sure.... It shouldn't require super human strength to pull the lever to unlatched a seat from the floor. I myself find it a hassle to do and I know its because something is not working right. I have had my wife, daughter and passengers that could not easily pull the lever to access the 3rd row seats. There nothing in the manual about tightening a spring or repair the folding mechanism.

 

[Steve8316]

Have you read the owner guide? The free PDF direct from Ford is easier to search & carry:
https://www.motorcraftservice.com/OwnerInformation

https://www.fordpro.com/en-us/fleet-vehicles/manuals-and-guides/

 

[idanny76]

Have you read the owner guide? The free PDF direct from Ford is easier to search & carry:
https://www.motorcraftservice.com/OwnerInformation

https://www.fordpro.com/en-us/fleet-vehicles/manuals-and-guides/

I know how the seats operate. I bought the car used last year. I seen videos on YouTube and the seats have a spring load that puts some force up when unlatched from the floor. The force is not enough to completely move the seat forward, but at least lift enough as an indication that it has been unlatched. One of the second row seats, when unlatched from the floor, you can't tell it's unlatched unless you use both hands.... I have to put one hand on the lever and on the other on the back of the seat to lift. I am a strong person and I know for sure.... It shouldn't require super human strength to pull the lever to unlatched a seat from the floor. I have had my wife, daughter and passengers that could not easily pull the lever to access the 3rd row seats. There nothing in the manual about tightening a spring or repair the folding mechanism.

 

[idanny76]

Looking at more Youtube video.... I did not pay attention, but the seats on the videos where captain seats and not the 3 passanger 2nd row seat that I have. The captain seats are lighter and do spring forward slightly, but the larger side you do have to lift. I guess the handle requires more pressure to unlatch the seat from the floor. I guess everything is working as it should.

Larger 2nd row seat


Captain seats 2nd row

 

[peterk9]

Has anyone experience this issue with the 2nd row seats. When you lift the handle, fold the back rest down and then pull the handle to lift the seat forward in order to access the 3rd row. I have to manually lift the seat up to fold forward. The driver side 2nd row works well by springing forward, but the driver side 2nd row, which is heavier..... is not spring loading forward. Also the passenger side lever is hard to pull up to lift forward. Both second row back rest fold fine.... only issue is spring loading the seat forward on one side and handle hard on the other side. Is there a way to wind the spring tension? Thank you for any help given.
...................................

You said the "driver side 2nd row works well" and then go on to say that it is not. Am I misreading that? I believe the bench is a 60/40 split, so one side is going to be heavier to move. If I recall correctly, only the 40 section will lift and tumble. On my previous 2011 Explorer the 40 section was on the passenger side.

Peter

 

[idanny76]

You said the "driver side 2nd row works well" and then go on to say that it is not. Am I misreading that? I believe the bench is a 60/40 split, so one side is going to be heavier to move. If I recall correctly, only the 40 section will lift and tumble. On my previous 2011 Explorer the 40 section was on the passenger side.

Peter

It was my mistake in the original post. I meant to say the passenger side 2nd row did spring forward when unlatching from the floor. I now know it's because it's lighter. I do still think the seat lever on both sides are difficult on the second pull to unlatch the seat from the floor. You really need to pull on the lever hard to get it unlatched. I guess that's how it was designed. I can do it, but I think the majority of people can't and from the video above comments, many thought the seat only folded down, but not unlatch from the floor.

 

[peterk9]

That feature is called fold and tumble. It allows easier access to the 3rd row.

Peter

 

[Steve8316]

It shouldn't require super human strength to pull the lever...

If you're human, then it doesn't.

But have you really looked closely at the mechanisms? It's VERY common for sugary drinks to get spilled into the backs of seats and into their latches & hinges. Wiping it off the upholstery doesn't get it out of the mechanisms. You may have to remove the seats, hose out the mechanisms, and let them dry in the sun. You may even have to disassemble them for thorough cleaning.

I got these from a JY:

They worked, so I didn't have to do anything to their mechanisms...

...but I did learn that the trim covers are VERY difficult to separate without damage. Luckily, this one snapped back together enough to stay on.

So I cleaned them, put them back together, & installed them (because the originals didn't tumble).