Replace driver's seatback adjustment lever?

[phs2911]

We have 2 Explorers. My wife's, a 97, has the leather seats. Unfortunately, her driver's seatback adjustment lever always got bent when she got in and out of the seat (I think the leather seats aren't as tall on the sides as the cloth; maybe it's just because she's 320 lbs.). After getting bent multiple times (and my bending it back in place), the lever finally broke off. It's the lever that's attached to the big spring. I tried to rig the seat so you could adjust the seatback by pulling on a piece of string, but that's broken several times too, due to the force you have to use.

I need to replace the handle (the metal is broken where it riveted onto the adjustment mechanism, but I'm not sure if this is a feasible task due to the big coiled spring. Any suggestions? Sorry I don't have any photos...

 

[scucci]

This is a common failure and a re-designed lever corrects this. The lever is part of the left seat back hinge bracket assembly. This is $75.00 at your Ford dealer. The assembly takes about 20 minutes to install. Four bolts hold it on and the bottom of the seat cover has to be unclipped and raised to get to the bolts. The cover has a plastic channel hook on the bottom,you unhook it and slide the cover up enough to get to the top bolt. The controls cover also needs to come off - three screws. Then remove the bracket and replace.

Hope this helps
Scucci