Driver Side Seat Foam Needs Replacing...
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: MS Gulf Coast
Driver Side Seat Foam Needs Replacing...
At 36k miles, my 05 Ex needs new foam on the driver seat. The leather is in great condition, but I can see how the lack of support is starting to affect the cover.
Anyone replaced their seat foam that wants to share the experience? Does the cushion simply lift off after the cover is removed, or is this best left for an upholstery shop?
Anyone got a part number/ cost for the cushion? I might have missed it reading the many cover-replacment threads.
Thanks!
Anyone replaced their seat foam that wants to share the experience? Does the cushion simply lift off after the cover is removed, or is this best left for an upholstery shop?
Anyone got a part number/ cost for the cushion? I might have missed it reading the many cover-replacment threads.
Thanks!
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Washington State
I have never messed with the driver's seat. Guess I haven't had a reason yet.
I'm a DIY guy. I say pull it out and have at it. I would have an Upholstery shop "on stand by" because I'd go to them to get some higher quality seat foam.
I'm a DIY guy. I say pull it out and have at it. I would have an Upholstery shop "on stand by" because I'd go to them to get some higher quality seat foam.
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Junior User
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From: MS Gulf Coast
Yeah, I like to DIY myself, but I've never fooled around with upholstery. The Ex is my wife's DD, so I can see the look on her face when it takes me three days to do the job because nothing I do ever goes as planned!! 
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I replaced mine after 6yrs and 80k for being lopsided. You have to remove and completely disassemble the seat. Part of the cover hog rings into the cushion.
It took me about 2.5 hrs total, at home with no air tools but I'm a mechanic by trade. I guess the question is how handy do you feel?
It took me about 2.5 hrs total, at home with no air tools but I'm a mechanic by trade. I guess the question is how handy do you feel?
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Junior User
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From: MS Gulf Coast
Originally Posted by gojoe
It took me about 2.5 hrs total, at home with no air tools but I'm a mechanic by trade. I guess the question is how handy do you feel?
Oh, and if you have seat heaters, how is the heater element arranged under the cover?
From another post: Ford shows the seat cushion pad available for $73.82, part #YC3Z78632A23AA
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 462
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From: Kansas City, Mo
I have not had my EX seats out but have had the Expy's out. It came with wornout leather seats, bought used cloth original seat covers on Ebay. Took about an hour and a half per seat. Not hard just pay close attention to how the covers are attatched. I would buy the seat foam from Ford because it is formed and molded to your specific seat frame. Also might be a good idea to take some pictures of how everything is attatched before disassembly. I believe you can buy hog rings and hog ring pliars at an auto parts store. Good luck, John 
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Brett Foote
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From: Minnesota
I'd get an estimate from an upholstry shop before you do any more damage to the leather cover. If they will refoam it for $100 - $150 that will be a no-brainer IMHO.
Plus you will give a gulf coatser a badly needed dollar in this economy.
You could wait for your Bush tax rebate and be an economic generator.
If and when that happens.
Plus you will give a gulf coatser a badly needed dollar in this economy.
You could wait for your Bush tax rebate and be an economic generator.
If and when that happens.
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From: MS Gulf Coast
Today, brought my Ex in for another issue, but the parts guy quoted $100-150 for the foam. I forgot to get a number, but he said the price depends on the trim code and whether or not I had seat heaters (I do).
the part number from above must've been for an older seat. If I can get a local shop to do the job for reasonable labor cost, I'll forgo the DIY. And while I am always happy to give a local business much-needed moolah, it's the "no-see-ums" (gnats/ flying teeth) here that'll carry you away and make the job just plain miserable!
As for the tax credit. While it may not keep the economy from tanking, I'll give it the ol' college try and happily recirculate it into the system for much-needed goodies for the Ex'!
the part number from above must've been for an older seat. If I can get a local shop to do the job for reasonable labor cost, I'll forgo the DIY. And while I am always happy to give a local business much-needed moolah, it's the "no-see-ums" (gnats/ flying teeth) here that'll carry you away and make the job just plain miserable!
As for the tax credit. While it may not keep the economy from tanking, I'll give it the ol' college try and happily recirculate it into the system for much-needed goodies for the Ex'!
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The hog rings are a small ring that get seezed closed with a special pair of pliers (hog ring pliers), the idea is to catch the cords molded into the foam and attached to the underside of the cushion inside the closed ring. This is what holds the form fit seams down in the center of the cover (did that make sense?). It's not rocket science, it's just a little unfamiliar the first time you do it. Some larger material shops carry the rings and pliers and could probably show you how to use them and it would make a lot more sense than trying to explain it.
I think my cost for non heated seat pad was more than that price but I really don't recall. On some models the heater is part of the foam but most are a seperate pad that gets sandwiched between the foam and cover. The best way to find out is to stop in at your local dealer and ask for a price and how it comes.
Hope this helps.
I think my cost for non heated seat pad was more than that price but I really don't recall. On some models the heater is part of the foam but most are a seperate pad that gets sandwiched between the foam and cover. The best way to find out is to stop in at your local dealer and ask for a price and how it comes.
Hope this helps.
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Junior User
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From: MS Gulf Coast
Thanks for the info, gojoe. That does make sense and makes DIY a lot less intimidating. My big concern was how the hog rings are secured to the foam (having never messed with uhpholstery b4), and I'll definitely stop in for a new quote and see if I can look at what I get for the $$.
Post Fiend
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Well worth letting someone do it call the svc dept @ the auto dealers and see who they recommend...
I had 100K on my leather seated Jeep 5.9 Limited that my years of sliding out with shorts finally did it in....
1 day and $75 had new bolster and leather that matched perfectly !
call the svc dept @ the auto dealers and see who they recommend...I had 100K on my leather seated Jeep 5.9 Limited that my years of sliding out with shorts finally did it in....
1 day and $75 had new bolster and leather that matched perfectly !
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