Driver seat height problem

[JohnnyM]

Hi, I’ve just recently bought a focus 1.6 and the seat doesn’t maintain the height I’ve set it at. Meaning that it sinks to its lowest point in a day or so. Is this common? What can I do? 
thanks 

john 

[Lenny]

7 minutes ago, JohnnyM said:

Hi, I’ve just recently bought a focus 1.6 and the seat doesn’t maintain the height I’ve set it at. Meaning that it sinks to its lowest point in a day or so. Is this common? What can I do? 
thanks 

john 

Hi John,

Easiest option would be to replace the seat; the hydraulics or gearing seem to be done in the existing seat, 

This mechanism here:

 

You can swap like for like or fit some ST Recaro, simply undo four bolts and unplug the loom to lift out the seat and replace it with another one. 

I recently upgrade to some ST Recaro in my 2010 focus; the original subframe on the Recaro I purchased from a 2007 model were left in a shed for few years and rusted out so I transferred my existing subframes across to the Recaro to restore them like new, although in normal conditions there a straight swap.

See guide: 

 

[JohnnyM]

Thanks Lenny. I was hoping a wedge of some kind would work 🙄

[JohnnyM]

Thanks

[Lenny]

9 minutes ago, JohnnyM said:

Thanks Lenny. I was hoping a wedge of some kind would work 🙄

It would if insurance companies weren't scrutinizing; but in the event of an accident even if it's not your fault and the seat was found to have been defective and modified as result then they could void your policy, 

Before looking at changing the seat; have a look underneath and see if the two black rams at the front are still clipped in on the bars correctly.

Also if you do change the seats you need a TX50 for the front seats and a TX40 for the back seat, both of these can be purchased individually from Halfords to fit a socket wrench. 

Also my full list of guides are here if interested thanks:

 

[JohnnyM]

Hi again, is swapping the seat base frame for another an easy job. You said about the bolts holding the seat in the car, but do the upholstered seat and back just bold to the base frame ? 
 

john

[Lenny]

2 hours ago, JohnnyM said:

Hi again, is swapping the seat base frame for another an easy job. You said about the bolts holding the seat in the car, but do the upholstered seat and back just bold to the base frame ? 
 

john

Hi John,

Yes they do, eight bolts in total and two cable ties. To swap over the sub frame. 

I cant remember the socket size used but I can make up a guide here for you using my archive of images taken during the process.

theres two sections to the bottom frame of the drivers seat which just bolt on to the upholstered seat. 

[Lenny]

3 hours ago, JohnnyM said:

Hi again, is swapping the seat base frame for another an easy job. You said about the bolts holding the seat in the car, but do the upholstered seat and back just bold to the base frame ? 
 

john

Fold the seat as far forward as possible then undo the four TX50 bolts and unplug the loom using a 10mm socket to undo the securing bolt.

Remove the existing drivers seat from the focus and bring it somewhere suitable for dismantling. 

Use a plastic bottle or lunch box to hold the bolts, 

Fold the seat all the way backwards;

Look under the seat to locate a cable tie which you need to cut in order to allow the removal of the plastic side panel 

The rear side of this plastic panel curls in to a clip; ensure to unclip before pulling to prevent damage.

 

With the panels now removed; undo the four bolts holding the upper rear upholstery section.

With the back removed from the drivers seat and placed in storage as most of the work to be done is with the sub frame. 

Separated the seat from the sub frame by removing the two 10mm bolts 

Below is the original driver side sub frame removed from the focus; doesn't have as much controls as the ST variant however the sliding rails are identical. 

repeat process in reverse now to replace the seat rail 👍 

I'll add more images to this now. 

The lower upholstery section and steel pan; hook on to the sub frame at the rear saw here, like a "C" shape clip goes around the pin on the sub frame like a hinge: 

Then secured with two 10mm bolts at the front of the frame saw here;

The upper rear section then bolts on with 4 bolts very easy when shown how mate. 

[JohnnyM]

Thank you so much for a very comprehensive guide. I found a sub frame on eBay for £40, just hope it’s not like the one I have. Doesn’t sound like it’s a common problem. 
 

I really appreciate your help here

many many thanks

 

john 

[Lenny]

1 minute ago, JohnnyM said:

Thank you so much for a very comprehensive guide. I found a sub frame on eBay for £40, just hope it’s not like the one I have. Doesn’t sound like it’s a common problem. 
 

I really appreciate your help here

many many thanks

 

john 

Thanks mate,

No problem I'm on here regularly; so if you need any assistance when doing the process; post and I'll get back to you within 24 hours.