Bench Seat Back - Difficult to Fold Forward

Article No.
97-11-12

05/27/97

BENCH SEAT - SEAT BACK DIFFICULT TO FOLD
FORWARD - VEHICLES BUILT THROUGH 1/97

LIGHT TRUCK:
1996-97 RANGER

ISSUE:
Some customers may experience difficulties folding the full bench seat forward. This may be a result of the seat cushion being too thick, causing the internal latch components to bind-up.

ACTION:
Replace the bench seat frame with a revised sized frame. The new seat frame will provide sufficient access/room so the internal components will not bind-up. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE





1. Remove seat belt buckle anchor bolts, inboard left and right. Disconnect driver seat belt chime wire (Figure 1).





2. Remove four (4) front seat track-to-floor bolts (two each side) and lift the front seat and tracks from the vehicle (Figure 2, Bolt "B").

3. To remove front seat tracks from front seat, place the front seat upside down on a clean bench.

4. Remove the four (4) bolts retaining the front seat track (two each side). Remove the front seat tracks from the front seat cushion frame (Figure 2, Bolt "A").

5. Disconnect the front seat track latch tie rod from the front seat cushion and hook it in the center of the front seat cushion frame (Figure 2).





6. Disengage the front seat cover by removing the left and right side J-retainers from the seat frame to access the bolts that retain the front seat back frame to the front seat cushion and cover. Remove the two (2) bolts on each side (Figure 3).

7. Remove the front and back J-retainers from the cushion frame. Remove the cushion from the frame.

8. Measure the seat cushion frame from the surface of the frame that the seat back bolts to. The measurement should be 1212 mm (+0 mm/-3 mm). If the measurement exceeds 1212 mm (+0 mm/-3 mm), replace the cushion seat frame with the new Seat Cushion Frame (F2TZ-1063100-A).

NOTE:
MEASURE THE NEW SEAT CUSHION FRAME TO MAKE SURE THAT IT MEETS THE SPECIFICATION OF 1212mm (+0 mm/-3 mm). IF THE MEASUREMENT DOES NOT EXCEED 1212mm (+0 mm/-3 mm), THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR A DIFFERENT CONCERN.

NOTE:
CHECK THE LATCHES FOR FUNCTION OR CONTAMINATION.

9. Position the new front seat cushion frame to the pad and cover, then fasten the cover to the frame with the J-retainers.

For assembly, follow the disassembly procedure in reverse order.

PART NUMBER PART NAME

F2TZ-1063100-A Spring Assembly - Front Seat
Cushion

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE

WARRANTY STATUS: Eligible Under The Provisions Of Bumper To Bumper Warranty Coverage

OPERATION DESCRIPTION TIME

971112A Replace Bench Seat 1.1 Hr.
Frame Assembly

DEALER CODING
CONDITION
BASIC PART NO. CODE
1063100 16

OASIS CODES: 101000