2nd row bucket won’t flip

[Kevin08]

2008

I caused this problem while detailing the seat. I had it out of the vehicle on a table and decided I needed it unfolded. It will not let you flip the back up to seat position unless the rear feet are latched to the floor. So stupid me tripped the latches thinking all I’d have to do later is pull the release while flipping the latch open with a screwdriver. Unfortunately this didn’t work to release the rear feet latches at first. But eventually they released. I mounted the seat back into the Expedition only to discover that now they won’t release. It’s currently latched in to the floor but apparently not all the way down. I can’t release it to flip the seat up for third row access. I noticed the inboard side had a secondary hook on the latch. I believe it must not have released to the open position and now it’s jammed on top of the floor striker.

Anyone delt with this before? Any suggestions? Not sure I’m physically able to crawl in and unscrew the plastic cover off that latch and see if I can trip the secondary hook somehow.

 

[Plati]

I removed the rear seats in my 2014EL and I know there is some concern about what you describe here. Someone sent me this section of the manual on how to reinstall. I'm not sure it will help you but hope it does. I'm kinda dreading putting mine back in someday but I may keep this tank forever and not need to. Please post up results on what you end up doing. Thanks.

 

[Kevin08]

I removed the rear seats in my 2014EL and I know there is some concern about what you describe here. Someone sent me this section of the manual on how to reinstall. I'm not sure it will help you but hope it does. I'm kinda dreading putting mine back in someday but I may keep this tank forever and not need to. Please post up results on what you end up doing. Thanks.

In this 08, it’s a four bolt to the floor mount. Only complaint is the plastic trim panels over those bolts, or at least the back ones is an insanely stupid design. The metal clip style are designed to be removed and reinstalled and I think that’s what was on the seat front bolt covers. But the rear bolt cover doesn’t use the metal spring clip style. It’s an all plastic tab that I couldn’t figure out a way to release. No access to these clips with the seat bolted down. Just a 50/50 chance the tabs will break. On both second row seats amazingly I only broke one tab and the cover seems to be holding firm without it. If it didn’t, I was just going to put a small piece of 3M body side molding double sided adhesive tape on it.

I think my issue is with the rear inboard latch being partially tripped before it hooked the floor so now it’s jammed.

I clicked the pdf link and it asked if I wanted to download but no window opened after. I’ll search through my phone to see if it saved it somewhere.

 

[Kevin08]

I looked at that pdf. Unfortunately I didn’t know about the shipping pin. That probably would have prevented my trouble.

 

[Kevin08]

I was able to crawl in through the back and look. It’s what I suspected, the secondary was already closed when the seat tried to latch to the floor. One catch is around the striker and one is closed on top of it. I don’t know if I’ll be able to get this to release.

 

[Kevin08]

I was able to pop it free. I was wrong, one latch was not around the striker. They were all on top on both feet. Not sure what had a grip to keep it jammed down, but with my neuromuscular issues I’m just too weak to yank up on the seat. I somehow popped it with a big screwdriver.

It’s up but the feet are still latched and won’t release. I’ll do some more with the pry bar (big old craftsman flathead screwdriver). Did the Navigator ever have an electric release & lift assist on the second row buckets? I need this bad, I have a lot of trouble lifting these even with the hydraulic strut assist on them.

 

[Plati]

I'm just hacking around ... don't really know what I'm doing BUT. My (removed) seat was stuck in latched position also. 2014EL. I know someday I will probably want to put seat back in so I thought I'd work on this now when the pressure is off. First I took the latch mech plastic covers off and as usual destroyed part of that since I have no idea how to do it correctly, if its even possible (its ok screws will hold it together). Then I notice a cable end that's loose (first pic). I pull up on that with pliers and simultaneously press the white plastic lever arm end (second pic) thats at the end of another cable. Both seat sides unlatch like it's meant to be. Should be able to get it back in now?

It appears that another method is just move that lever arm (first pic) towards the loose end of the cable and it unlatches same deal. You have to move lever arm on side where end of cable is loose. Third pic unlatched.