Seat broke!

[txkent]

:help:
On the way home today - my driver's side seat broke. The left side of the seat leaned back - following a snapping sound.

I'm a big guy - 350lbs (no cracks about that please) but I don't think that the bracket should have snapped... The part of the assembly that bolts to the actual seat bottom has a piece that is vertical - and -- well, look at the picture I attached.

My MM is an 03 - I guess I'm looking for my best option. Buy a new "rail unit" or go to a junkyard and get one off a wrecked GM or CV - and if that's the answer, what years are compatible? Or should I get a welder to fix it?

[fastblackmerc]

I'd try the recycling yard (they are not called "junkyards" anymore) route.

[HwyCruiser]

If you're out of warrenty try Ray Sr "TheDealer" to see what he could hook you up with.

[txkent]

Yeah, I'm out of warrantee. :(

I'll check with Ray - and try to find a recycler as well - in case I can find something local. What years are compatible?

[Blackened300a]

Your Better off just heading to the Dealer if you have any Warranty left or just picking up the part you need by consulting our Member on here that can get it for you new.
Anything Less then Brand New will just end up failing on you sooner then the OEM one did.

[Bigdogjim]

:help:
I'm a big guy - 350lbs (no cracks about that please) but I don't think that the bracket should have snapped... The part of the assembly that bolts to the actual seat bottom has a piece that is vertical - and -- well, look at the picture I attached.
WEll I have an '03 also 30,000 miles so far. I tooo am a BIG GUY 360lbs.:)

I know a good bodyshop could weld the break and make it better. Just have to look around? Or you could order new parts and have a shop weld a plate to make it stronger.

[txkent]

The parts I need are $327 before shipping from TheDealer - I might try getting it fixed and still order and install the parts - just to have a better feeling about it. The break is on the bend - so I'm not sure how strong the weld might be - I'm not too up on that sort of thing.

I'm starting a new job on Monday - and I'm very lucky that the new job is in the same building my wife works at. (Where I used to work too). One of my old co-workers has a son that welds, so I might get him to take a look at it.

I'm pretty careful getting in my car. I don't just slam my butt into the seat - trying to keep things nice - although I did find a fair amount of crud under the seat that needed to be vacuumed out. Well, I guess if I do get the seat out this weekend - I'll drill a few holes and drop in a few rivets on the front flap that keeps popping loose. (and do a good cleanup of the area under the seat. Might also be a good opportunity to pop out the rear seat and finally fix that #*(#$%! subwoofer rattle.

The only sign that I've had all week that anything was awry was the seat was acting up when I tried to adjust it. It was acting slow. Oh well. It's just money. LOL (That I don't have)



WEll I have an '03 also 30,000 miles so far. I tooo am a BIG GUY 360lbs.:)

I know a good bodyshop could weld the break and make it better. Just have to look around? Or you could order new parts and have a shop weld a plate to make it stronger.

[Donny Carlson]

I can only say that I am living proof that frequent and generous gaseous emmissions prevent metal fatigue and premature failure of seating componants. :)

[txkent]

Nah, if that were true, you could park a Mack Truck on my seat. :P

Thanks for making me smile about it. I've been in a crappy mood since it happened.


I can only say that I am living proof that frequent and generous gaseous emmissions prevent metal fatigue and premature failure of seating componants. :)

[gray bear]

:help:
On the way home today - my driver's side seat broke. The left side of the seat leaned back - following a snapping sound.

I'm a big guy - 350lbs (no cracks about that please) but I don't think that the bracket should have snapped... The part of the assembly that bolts to the actual seat bottom has a piece that is vertical - and -- well, look at the picture I attached.

My MM is an 03 - I guess I'm looking for my best option. Buy a new "rail unit" or go to a junkyard and get one off a wrecked GM or CV - and if that's the answer, what years are compatible? Or should I get a welder to fix it?

I've broken a few seats myself. :o I have found that welding doesn't last as a fix, it just breaks again only worse. Bite the bullet and replace the part. I also found when I needed my part, that they wanted to sell me the entire bottom seat. I talked to a bodyshop man and he found just the part for me that was broken, not the whole magilla, at a fraction of the cost the dealership wanted. Hope you have the same luck.

[MarauderMarc]

Are those cookie crumbs under your seat???

[RoyLPita]

WEll I have an '03 also 30,000 miles so far. I tooo am a BIG GUY 360lbs.:)

I know a good bodyshop could weld the break and make it better. Just have to look around? Or you could order new parts and have a shop weld a plate to make it stronger.

What he ^^^^^^^^^^^^said.

[txkent]

Are those cookie crumbs under your seat???

:rolleyes: No, I don't think they are. But hey, it's my daily driver - and I only get to clean on the weekend... so it was at the end of the cycle.

[txkent]

Right now my plan is to wait until Monday - and order the 8 way power unit from TheDealer. I'd really hate to have a weld break as I'm travelling down the highway at a semi-illegal rate of speed. :shake:

Thanks for all the advice, and I promise that I'll clean up the carpet under the seat. :P

[the_pack_rat]

Had the wooden frame of a bed give out once ...

But I guess that's a whole nuther' story.

:P

[mrjones]

Hell, don't feel bad. I bought a new 79 Mustang when I graduated from HS, and within 2 years, my seat had the symptoms you describe, but it wasn't the seat frame. The whole floor pan tore loose and I had to have it rewelded. And back then I only weighed about 260! When did Ford finally correct the floor pan? When they started selling the special service Mustangs and whole lot of the big officers' cars started ripping out. Most of the Mustang subframe connector manufacturers offer a super sub that also braces the seat mounting points.

[txkent]

Ok, I got the parts from TheDealer today. Too bad UPS had a late train arrival, or I might have gotten the thing fixed before Thanksgiving. :(

I got the seat out tonight - and realized that I'm in way deeper than I expected, so I pushed the MM back into the garage, and put the seat in there with it. A total teardown of the seat will be in order, and that's not something I can do after getting home at 6:30pm, and still get up at 5:45am for work the next day.

I really wanted to get her back on the road this week - so I can drive to Brenham to pick up my mom and bring her back, but I guess I'll be driving the gasoline sponge Expedition my wife drives. Hopefully I'm allotted enough time this coming weekend to break it all down and put it back together in the proper order and get that seat back in. (After vacuuming the crud out of the floor...) I did find about .45 cents under the seat.

I should also say that TheDealer is awesome -- great prices and quick shipping.

[txkent]

Ok, I've swapped out the seat base - and was down to the last bolt - the one that is the right side pivot for the back. Like a dumb!## I managed to begin a cross thread on that captive nut. Now I need to go to Sears tomorrow on the way home and get the kit they call "thread restorers" -- basically a thread chaser. The bolt only has one little flat spot - I think I can clean it up running it thru the old captive nut on the old seat base. Sheesh.

It was fun doing the dis-assembly without any instructions. :confused: I definitely know now what NOT to do. :P

[txkent]

Ok, it's all done. Just took it for a drive and it don't creak any more either. My re-aquantaince drive wasn't a solo though, so I didn't get to have any fun... but I will be doing that later today or tomorrow.

[snigalfriz]

I had my seat break in the same place. I go around 230. I pulled the seat out and welded it myself. That has been several months ago.

[88LTDCV351]

Anyone have a picture what to look for for those of us that might want to inspect our seat for possible preventative maintenance? Or would that help at all?

[W4LTD]

4-year old thread, but here's the diagram of the power seat track assembly.

http://www.tascaparts.com/schematics/L/LA03365.gif
1) Seat track Passenger side 2) Seat track Driver side 3) Bracket assy To cushion
4) Front cover Right 5) Front cover Left 6) Rear cover Right
7) Rear cover Left 8) Processor

[4play]

man that seems like alot of work, this is what i would of done... would come in handy on a long trip.
http://i48.tinypic.com/14tr90h.jpg

[Krytin]

:help:
On the way home today - my driver's side seat broke. The left side of the seat leaned back - following a snapping sound.

I'm a big guy - 350lbs (no cracks about that please) but I don't think that the bracket should have snapped... The part of the assembly that bolts to the actual seat bottom has a piece that is vertical - and -- well, look at the picture I attached.

My MM is an 03 - I guess I'm looking for my best option. Buy a new "rail unit" or go to a junkyard and get one off a wrecked GM or CV - and if that's the answer, what years are compatible? Or should I get a welder to fix it?

I welded mine two years ago when it broke in exactly the same place.
I also took the opourtunity to "shim" the seat up in that corner with a washer because it always looked and felt like it was sitting low on that corner since I purchaced the car new.
I have over 25K miles on since I welded it and no problem!

[Vortech347]

Fixed mine. I went from 301 to 231.

These seats really arn't ment for that much weight. When you think about the forces applied to them during breaking and accell its quite a bit of pressure. I broke 2 stock fox body seats from launching with slicks and nitrous at 290-300lbs. Also ripped the studs CLEAN through the floorboard!!!!

Edit: Ford seats as a whole aren't very strong. Whenever I ride in my friends GTO his seats are as solid as concrete and super comfy! Also why I replaced my stockers in my fox with Corbeau's.

[Mr. Man]

I've got an annoying click in the drivers seat. Seat works fine otherwise. Any ideas? Also how hard is it to take the seat out? Couple hours, days.?

[Krytin]

The "click" is how it started Eric!
Four bolts and two harness conections, slide the seat belt out of the seat bottom next to the console and it's free to come out. Be careful getting it out through the door - the bottom of the seat has plenty of sharp edges to scratch and cut you and the door panel!

[Mr. Man]

The "click" is how it started Eric!
Four bolts and two harness conections, slide the seat belt out of the seat bottom next to the console and it's free to come out. Be careful getting it out through the door - the bottom of the seat has plenty of sharp edges to scratch and cut you and the door panel!

Thanks, I'll look into it when the snow is gone. As for the sharp edges Paula will only get after me if I scratch the paint.;)

[Seneca]

I've got an annoying click in the drivers seat. Seat works fine otherwise. Any ideas? Also how hard is it to take the seat out? Couple hours, days.? Well guess I'll be looking at mine to as it's got the clicking also... On my 03 MM it seemed both seats leaned in to the middle of the car. it was very annoying.

[Chi Stallion]

Well I guess it’s a Marauder mob bosses turn[emoji23]🤣[emoji23]Mines just snapped clean right off while driving about an hour ago. I guess I can thank the j-mod for that. I weight 265 6ft have about 186k on the MM. I did remember hearing that click right before it happened.


.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180913/5373c4395e3f97076d18aab3c4551e 4c.jpg

[Chi Stallion]

Also I’m not sure which part I need in this diagram? Is it 6 or 7 ? The op never said what the part # is

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20180913/75fd24870241566ed6a055a98134ec 00.jpg




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[Chi Stallion]

Just spoke to a close friend with a local upholstery shop. Ima try the weld job and see how it hold ups. If it doesn’t hold up I will replace the seat frame.


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[Turbov6Bryan]

I have that assy ready to be shipped
Just in case your needing one I have both driver side and passenger side seat tracks from a 2003
I don't think there's any difference between 03 and 04 so let me know if you want one.
send me a PM iif you want to buy one

Welding it should hold it just fine too

[Chi Stallion]

I have that assy ready to be shipped

Just in case your needing one I have both driver side and passenger side seat tracks from a 2003

I don't think there's any difference between 03 and 04 so let me know if you want one.

send me a PM iif you want to buy one



Welding it should hold it just fine too



Will keep that in mind [emoji106]I will report back and see how the weld holds up. Try and get some good shots of the weld on Saturday.


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