Seat broke!

[txkent]

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]

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.

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]

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. 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???

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.

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

[the_pack_rat]

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

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