Busted Drivers Seat

[creoguy]

I've just busted my 3rd drivers seat in my '98. The last two times I've picked up a new seat from the junk yard for $50-100 but it's starting to bug the crap out of me that this is the 3rd time!

Here's what happening...

Where the reclining mechanism attaches to the seat bottom the sheet-metal is being stressed and cracking over time, about every year or so. The only thing I can think of is that the seat covers that I have on are doing something to the reclining mechanism or it's just a design flaw that I'm going to have to beef up some way.

I'm a big guy, 6' 5" - 240lb, but I've never had a problem in my other cars. Anyone else seen this problem and come up with a long term solution?

Thanks for any tips.

 

[bulldog3531]

It is a design flaw. Ford designed a new one. I think it is about $50.00 if I remember right. that was about 3 yrs ago. and I have had no since then.

 

[slpdave]

I also am a fairly big ...by big I mean Heavy... guy 5'10" 255 pounds. my 2000 XLT has never had any problems with the sheat metal fo the seat cracking. I have had the recliner bolt break. I replaced it before I realised there was a recall. Maybe there is a difference in the 2000 seats. If the 2000 seats fit the 98 maybe you could try one of those next time.

 

[creoguy]

The first time it happened, I went to Ford and they said the recall was for the bolt, not the bottom seat frame. Is that the $50 redesign your talking about bulldog3531? They did the bolt fix last time I had it serviced at a Ford dealer a couple years ago. I've got to go back into Ford for the latest recall for the cruise control. I'll see what they have to say this time.

 

[reserved50]

mine cost over 100$ in canada for the recliner handle/hinge, the bolt upgrade is a recall and done free if it applies. The broken lever is a TSB(technical service bulletin) so not free when out of warranty, the new pieces should be upgraded unless you pounce on the lever when jumping in, I always did that because the running boards were in my way and sat on the edge of the seat when I got in, so I removed the boards and installed rocker trim

 

[slpdave]

The bolt I used to replace it with was a stainless bolt and some washers to "thicken" the bolt to fit the hole in the recliner arm assembly properly. total cost was about 5 bucks and it took me 1 hour to do it. that is 15 minutes to do the work, 45 minutes to figure out how to release the seat covers (2 J hooks locked into each other). It has never given another ounce of trouble. and if it does, now that I know what I am doing, it'll take like 10 minutes and 5 bucks so no biggie.

 

[slpdave]

Also, this just came to me. With your height, maybe you are putting stress higher on the seat back therfore increasing the pressure on the reclining system or base of the seat (think leverage here). You might be hitting a sweet spot for breaking the seat.

just an idea.

 

[creoguy]

Who knows what the cause it... All I know is that this time I'm going to beef that damn thing up enought that it doesn't happen again!

 

[Nocturnall]

That's all I can think is your putting pressure higher up on the seat, I'm 6ft 3 260lbs probably now if not 270lb and I've never had a problem in any car I've owned.

 

[slpdave]

As for the recliner bolt I installed, I got it at a tractor parts store. It is a metric screw of some kind, the washers were SAE. It took about 5 washers I believe. I also trust stainless steel, I think the bolt that broke was some kind of "pot" metal.

 

[reserved50]

stainless has less shear strength i believe, strongest would be an ARP bolt in the bulk packages, it would probably be the strongest part of the vehicle lol

 

[BP99Sport]

Creoguy,

I just had the same thing happen in my '99.

When you went to the junkyard, were you actually able to find '98s? Or did the seats from other years fit? I've noticed here in S. Fla that its difficult to find 2nd Gen Explorers at the junk yards.

What was your idea to beef up that sheet metal?

Thanks
BP

 

[JoKeR300R]

i bought my explorer in i think jan06 and probably about 3 months ago i noticed when i pull out from a red light or any kind of accelerating ill hear a cracking sound and the seat will tilt back just a little bit. its slowly gotten worse im waitin to hit the gas and end up layin on the back seat (this i have had happen in my 79 bronco! not fun) im 6'1 and 150 pounds so my weight can't be the problem.