Driver's seat bolt continuously loosens

[austincamsmith]

Hello all!

I'm having an issue I was hoping the gang could chime in on.

The driver's seat of my 2022 Big Bend continuously comes loose. The culprit appears to be a hex screw (photo below) that works its way out. Within a couple hours of driving and pressing the clutch in and out with my left leg and, simply, the light amount of torque my body moving in the seat applies to that corner is enough to work the front left screw partially out. As the screw progressively extracts itself over the course of the day, the seat becomes looser and looser to the point where the seat back can rock up to 4 inches front to back.

I'm at the point where I have to re-tighten it with my finger every time I get in the car. To get a wrench in there to fully tighten it, I'd have to take the plastic side cover off the seat - which seems both like a real pain and like tempting a trim piece getting broken. And I would still have no certainty it wouldn't just work its way out again (after all, it already did once). The bolt does not have a nut on the back and the passenger side does not either.

Does anyone know the story on this bolt and how it's supposed to stay locked in? Anyone else had this issue?

In my photos you can see the passenger side bolt that hasn't budged and the driver's side bolt that has worked its way back. I have to be honest, it annoys the living hell out of me.

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[userdude]

This is a warranty and safety issue. Take it to the dealership and have it fixed.

 

[austincamsmith]

This is a warranty and safety issue. Take it to the dealership and have it fixed.

I'd really hate to take it in the dealer for such a small issue. I live over 100 miles away from the closest one and I'm sure they'd take my car for the day. Was hoping I could solve this one on my own!

 

[Dral97]

I'd take it in as well. Maybe call ahead and ask if you can get a loner for the day. Either drive back or tool around the dealership area for the day.

It's either that, or take the plastic piece off and try to get it tightened the right way. Blue or Red loctite if you do that maybe.

 

[userdude]

I'd really hate to take it in the dealer for such a small issue. I live over 100 miles away from the closest one and I'm sure they'd take my car for the day. Was hoping I could solve this one on my own!

I would caution against trying to fix it, since this is a safety-related issue. If you do try to repair it, get in an accident and the seatbelt doesn't work as expected, you may be left with the liability for whatever you do. Under warranty, this should work at least.

 

[Johnkn]

Hello all!

I'm having an issue I was hoping the gang could chime in on.

The driver's seat of my 2022 Big Bend continuously comes loose. The culprit appears to be a hex screw (photo below) that works its way out. Within a couple hours of driving and pressing the clutch in and out with my left leg and, simply, the light amount of torque my body moving in the seat applies to that corner is enough to work the front left screw partially out. As the screw progressively extracts itself over the course of the day, the seat becomes looser and looser to the point where the seat back can rock up to 4 inches front to back.

I'm at the point where I have to re-tighten it with my finger every time I get in the car. To get a wrench in there to fully tighten it, I'd have to take the plastic side cover off the seat - which seems both like a real pain and like tempting a trim piece getting broken. And I would still have no certainty it wouldn't just work its way out again (after all, it already did once). The bolt does not have a nut on the back and the passenger side does not either.

Does anyone know the story on this bolt and how it's supposed to stay locked in? Anyone else had this issue?

In my photos you can see the passenger side bolt that hasn't budged and the driver's side bolt that has worked its way back. I have to be honest, it annoys the living hell out of me.

Rather than taking it to a Dealership, have your doors dinged and have 3 guys named Ernie making $18 an hour work on it who only care when 5 o'clock comes, I would take the plastic off if needed with a proper trim tool, put 3 drops of blue Locktite on the bolt and torque it back down.... Are you certain you can't get a small ratchet wrench with a swivel on the bolt with the trim in place?

good luck....'

.

 

[HighVelocity]

Loctite is your friend.

 

[Ford Motor Company]

Hello all!

I'm having an issue I was hoping the gang could chime in on.

The driver's seat of my 2022 Big Bend continuously comes loose. The culprit appears to be a hex screw (photo below) that works its way out. Within a couple hours of driving and pressing the clutch in and out with my left leg and, simply, the light amount of torque my body moving in the seat applies to that corner is enough to work the front left screw partially out. As the screw progressively extracts itself over the course of the day, the seat becomes looser and looser to the point where the seat back can rock up to 4 inches front to back.

I'm at the point where I have to re-tighten it with my finger every time I get in the car. To get a wrench in there to fully tighten it, I'd have to take the plastic side cover off the seat - which seems both like a real pain and like tempting a trim piece getting broken. And I would still have no certainty it wouldn't just work its way out again (after all, it already did once). The bolt does not have a nut on the back and the passenger side does not either.

Does anyone know the story on this bolt and how it's supposed to stay locked in? Anyone else had this issue?

In my photos you can see the passenger side bolt that hasn't budged and the driver's side bolt that has worked its way back. I have to be honest, it annoys the living hell out of me.

Hi Austin! I can look into your bronco's seat belt concern on my end. To get started, could you please send a private message over with the name/location of your local Ford dealer and your bronco's VIN?

 

[5GENIDN]

Loctite is your friend.

I second this.... I would use the Blue....

 

[Tricky Mike]

I doubt it was ever properly torqued which is why it came loose in the first place. I haven't heard of anyone having this issue.

I second this.... I would use the Blue....

I raise the stakes and say red. It's not like you'll ever need to remove that bolt.

 

[5GENIDN]

I doubt it was ever properly torqued which is why it came loose in the first place. I haven't heard of anyone having this issue.


I raise the stakes and say red. It's not like you'll ever need to remove that bolt.

I always hedge my bets that I am going to disassemble everything at some point in time.

 

[Tricky Mike]

I always hedge my bets that I am going to disassemble everything at some point in time.

That's a problem for future me and for all I know that guy might be a dick and have it coming.

 

[iamcris]

#facts. The guy definitely has it coming. Same could be said for the OP...I mean the bolt does keep coming loose...lol.

 

[V1Rotate]

Rather than taking it to a Dealership, have your doors dinged and have 3 guys named Ernie making $18 an hour work on it who only care when 5 o'clock comes, I would take the plastic off if needed with a proper trim tool, put 3 drops of blue Locktite on the bolt and torque it back down.... Are you certain you can't get a small ratchet wrench with a swivel on the bolt with the trim in place?

good luck....'

.

Exactly. Last thing I’d do if I wanted anything fixed right that was affordable would be take it to a dealership.. warranty or not.

 

[RustysBronco]

Hello all!

I'm having an issue I was hoping the gang could chime in on.

The driver's seat of my 2022 Big Bend continuously comes loose. The culprit appears to be a hex screw (photo below) that works its way out. Within a couple hours of driving and pressing the clutch in and out with my left leg and, simply, the light amount of torque my body moving in the seat applies to that corner is enough to work the front left screw partially out. As the screw progressively extracts itself over the course of the day, the seat becomes looser and looser to the point where the seat back can rock up to 4 inches front to back.

I'm at the point where I have to re-tighten it with my finger every time I get in the car. To get a wrench in there to fully tighten it, I'd have to take the plastic side cover off the seat - which seems both like a real pain and like tempting a trim piece getting broken. And I would still have no certainty it wouldn't just work its way out again (after all, it already did once). The bolt does not have a nut on the back and the passenger side does not either.

Does anyone know the story on this bolt and how it's supposed to stay locked in? Anyone else had this issue?

In my photos you can see the passenger side bolt that hasn't budged and the driver's side bolt that has worked its way back. I have to be honest, it annoys the living hell out of me.

Loctite red and call it a day

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