Anyone swapped out front belts?

[pboggini]

This morning when I left for work I was unable to get my seat belt to stay in the receiving end of it (not sure what that end is called). After dorking around with it I found that I can get it to latch and stay in if I slightly push in the removal button and it seems fine after that.

I texted a friend at Folsom Lake Ford and he said that part is around $95 and he can likely get it to me for less but suggested I see if my extended warranty covers it. I called Sunnyvale Ford (where I got the truck from) and they said I do have a warranty in force but that they would have to inspect the part to see if it's a "manufacturer's defect". Ug, sounds like legalese to me. I called Frontier Ford and got voicemail so I don't yet know if it will be covered. I looked and it looks like one beefy torx bolt (possibly safety) but there is very little room between that and the transmission tunnel. So I assume this means I need to take the seat out?

I looked around the web and here and I couldn't find anything that detailed taking it out and if I needed to remove the seat. And, if I need to take the seat out, how hard is that? So, before I go digging in I figured I'd ask here to see if anyone has done this. Or, has anyone had this happen and did the dealer take care of you or did they try to say it wasn't a manufacturers defect?

peterb

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[DukeCanBuildit]

First I’ve heard of this issue. If it was my truck, it would most likely be a blockage caused by a McDonalds French Fry. ?

 

[NotBudule]

It may be gummed up , can of compressed air (if you don't have a compresser) and keep latching and unlatching , I wouldn't spray and kind of "lube" in there, maybe some cleaner that evaporates ...

 

[pboggini]

Went out and looked as I too thought it was "gummed up" but it's really clean inside. Then, I compared it with the passenger side and it looks like the release button on the drivers side comes up higher than the outer shell where on the passenger side it does not. Attaching pictures. Anyone else's drivers side release button stick out this far?

peterb

 

[Chris M]

It may be gummed up , can of compressed air (if you don't have a compresser) and keep latching and unlatching , I wouldn't spray and kind of "lube" in there, maybe some cleaner that evaporates ...

Or graphite.

 

[KJRR]

As mentioned, could be somthing in there gumming up the works. Especially if you eat in there. Maybe a good vacuuming and working in and out a dozen times would fix it up.

 

[Frenchy]

If it's covered under the extended warranty then use the warranty. Why pay if you don't have to? Also depending on mileage it may still be under the factory warranty since it is part of the SRS System when you get down to it.

 

[pboggini]

If it's covered under the extended warranty then use the warranty. Why pay if you don't have to? Also depending on mileage it may still be under the factory warranty since it is part of the SRS System when you get down to it.

Yea if it's covered I'll have them swap it out but given the "legalese" I seem to be getting I'm concerned that they will want to charge me to inspect and then tell me if it will cost me. My friend in Folsom said his service guy thought it wouldn't be covered by the extended warranty. Truck is 4-3/4 years old and has 59,500 miles on it. So, factory warranty is long gone. Only hope is extended warranty.

Now, looking at it, it looks like there are four bolts holding the seat in. For those of you who've pulled the seat, does that sound right?

peterb

 

[Frenchy]

Do yourself a favor and get the owners manual out. It will have certain warranty information. After you find that out give Ford Customer care a call and they will inform you if it is covered under the STS Restraint warranty as it is different than the bumper to bumper warranty.

 

[Fx4ranger2019Larait]

Now, looking at it, it looks like there are four bolts holding the seat in. For those of you who've pulled the seat, does that sound right?

peterb
[/QUOTE]

Yes just 4 bolts under plastic covers.
I think it’s a torx T40. I removed the seat to run wires into cab for side step lights. There’s a grommet under the seat so you can run wires into the cab. Besides the firewall.

 

[pboggini]

Do yourself a favor and get the owners manual out. It will have certain warranty information. After you find that out give Ford Customer care a call and they will inform you if it is covered under the STS Restraint warranty as it is different than the bumper to bumper warranty.

Sounds like a good idea. Thanks.

Peterb

 

[pboggini]

Now, looking at it, it looks like there are four bolts holding the seat in. For those of you who've pulled the seat, does that sound right?

peterb

Yes just 4 bolts under plastic covers.
I think it’s a torx T40. I removed the seat to run wires into cab for side step lights. There’s a grommet under the seat so you can run wires into the cab. Besides the firewall.
[/QUOTE]

Cool. Yea I pulled the plastic covers off they are regular bolts. The seatbelt is a torx for sure. Ok if j can't get it covered under warranty I know the job will be pretty straight forward.

Peterb

 

[Ranger_Rocks]

... Anyone else's drivers side release button stick out this far?

 

[pboggini]

Thanks. Looks just like the one in my truck.

 

[airline tech]

I wound have to check but you may be able to remove the seat belt (access the bolt) if you move the seat all the way back.
My guess is you have a piece of debris down inside the receiver, remove the receiver half and get it upside down a tap the housing with the handle of a screwdriver.
and then use a contact cleaner spray to clean out the gummy deposits if any

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