Possible Passenger seat height fix for 2013 Ford Fusion

[DAVE]

I should start off by saying that we really like this new car and Energi feature is amazing and an easy sell to friends once they drive it. I'm also blown away with Ford and how far they've come in regards to quality. I'll take the blame for not looking sooner...

So far the only real complaint on the 2013 Fusion has been from front seat passengers from all ages. My 78 year old mother, my kids, and my wife all said "how do I make the seat go up" as soon as they sat down. I searched the web for any solutions and all I found was more complaints about the Fusion 2012 & 2013 passenger seats. Even the very positive auto reviews from leading sources point out that front passenger seat is too low with adjustments for all directions except up and down. I talked to 2 different Ford service departments all both said, yes, we've heard that complaint but had no solution.

After studying it, the easiest fix was to simply raise the rear of the seat up 1.5" or 2 " up. The hard part was finding the correct bolt and length made from the gauge material as the original. The next part was finding a source for the spacer. Lots of cheap plastic ones for various Jeeps but I was concerned about safety. I finally found a place that makes solid steel spacers in various sizes (Aluminum and Stainless steel are too soft).

The original bolt is a 1.5" Torx T55 which must be part of the new Fusions Ford Mondeo heritage from Europe. (These cars are very popular over there, I saw them everywhere) , the replacement 3" bolt is the same gauge steel but has a 8mm Hex bit head. You can buy these T55 & 8MM sockets at HomeDepot or Sears for about 3.00 each.

The seat feels to be the perfect height now. Even a 1.5" spacer would have made a huge difference. My biggest concern now is studying it a bit more to see if there is any stress on the seat or the bolt. The seat appears to move back and forth with no strain, the space and bolt are flat (not angled) See enclosed Picture to get a better idea of what it looks like.

If you need info on the parts (try this modification at your own risk ) - email me at 3dadd.ebay@gmail . I have a few extra 3" bolts as I had to buy a box of them.

DAVE

Edited June 16, 2013 at 04:16 PM by DAVE

[murphy]

I would have made a solid rectangular spacer that is the same size as the original contact patch of the rail with the frame,  I would expect the bolt and round spacer to either bend or shear in a frontal collision.  You no longer have the original binding friction between the rail and the frame.

[DAVE]

Murphy,

 

You can get square spacers. The front collision is a concern as well which why I'm still studying it. I think using a 1.5" spacer would help in this case. 

 

thanks

[DAVE]

Ford did respond to my concern over the low height of the passenger seat and its discomfort for most people via email but it was obvious that they did not really read it. Sounded more like a robo response but it could also be a template they use for all concerns. They did recommend that I take to myFord dealer  - I told them in my email that I took it to 2 different Ford dealers/service dept and both said it can't be fixed and they hear the complaint frequently. 

[Jpeter1093]

Dave, where did you find the replacement 3" bolts?

[DAVE]

I got a box from a local guy. Feel free to email me if want a set. 3dadd.ebay@gmail

[cricket36]

Sounds like a fix, but has anyone found a rail that could go between the spacer and the floor to take some of the stress in a frontal collision?

[DAVE]

I have not found a rail yet and had zero luck with any other solution better than what I've already installed. What I'd like to see is a option to purchase a powered passenger seat but it looks like the spacers and bolt is the only answer.I talk to 2 different Ford Service center and they were cool and wanted to help (also validated they've also heard the complaints) .

 

I did take the time to show the car to a few friends that own auto repair shops and they think it's a hard problem to solve as no other Ford seat is likely to fit as this one (& the MKZ) looks to be designed in Europe (Ford Mondeo) and finding the part in a junk yard is unlikely for the near term. 

 

I've had a few people contact me on installing the spacers and bolts and lets see how it goes for them to get more than one opinion. I've sent the bolts and given them the part numbers and website to order the spacers.  Again, the bolts are the hard part to find and need to match 100% , just longer.

[DAVE]

Here's where I order the Spacers.  (if you need bolts  - the hardest thing to find, I have a few left as mentioned above , they run 5.00 each and you'll only need 2)

 

 

I ordered the spacers here: http://www.mcmaster.com/#unthreaded-spacers/=n6j3uo

The part number is 92415A466 . You need 2 @ 13.29 each. You can order online and takes about  days. This company is great and very helpful.

[DAVE]

Basic install tips:

If you look at the how the seat is mounted, the front is actually higher than the rear  and you sit way too low and the seat is at an extreme  diagonal slant. By putting the 2 risers in the back it rises it just enough to be comfortable.

 

Use a T55 Torx and remove the 2 rear bolts and slip  the spacers and align them with the holes. The use the new 3" Hex 8 bolts.  As I mentioned, I went to the 1.5" Spacers as it seemed like a better fit. I've had no complaints about the seat since installing it.

 

I so had a small piece of black automotive carpet I cut out to fill in areas under the bolt. Not a huge deal as the seat will cover it either way.

 

I ordered the spacers here: http://www.mcmaster.com/#unthreaded-spacers/=n6j3uo

The part number is 92415A466 . You need 2 @ 13.29 each. You can order online and takes about  days. This company is great and very helpful.

 

As I mentioned, the hardest thing to find were the bolts. I wanted to match them perfectly. No question I found the right bolt just with USA Hex heads. Torx bolt are usually from Germany and I've noticed a lot parts on the Fusion are from Germany . Remember the Fusion is actually a Ford Mondeo from Europe (Fusion is 100% built in USA) which explains a lot.

 

Hope this helps - make sure to post your picture and comments  If it works out for you.

 

 

Edited June 16, 2013 at 04:15 PM by DAVE

[Jpeter1093]

I bought the bolts from McMaster as well: http://www.mcmaster.com/#catalog/119/3094/=n89ir7.   Note, these aren't torx head; but allen head. I used the M10 1.5 pitch with a 70mm length.  Rather than spacers; I'm trying a block cut from a 2x4.  The bolts fit perfectly and, so far, after a 4 hour road trip - passenger was a happy rider.

Edited June 17, 2013 at 09:15 AM by Jpeter1093

[cricket36]

Any Pics of the before and after from the side of the seat ?

[DAVE]

I have sent out a few sets of bolts and lets see they can post before and after. I can tell you that it solves the issue for sure as far as making comfortable. You could go to 2" instead of 1.5" but I wanted to make sure someone at 6"1 would not feel cramped.

[cricket36]

Dave, I was one of the guys who ordered bolts from you.

Had to create a new user ID to get into the energi forum, Have been on these forums for a while, my user name on the other forums is chuckokie36.

I ordered a Fusion Hybrid Titanium in October 2012 and received it in in early April, love the car.

I will be posting pictures after I install the bolts and spacers.Thanks for your help!

Edited June 18, 2013 at 07:48 PM by cricket36

[cricket36]

I installed the 1 1/2" spacers and bolts as described above by Dave. The results were excellent. My wife had complained from day one that the passengers seat was too low, she hated it, after the install she said it feels like our 2005 Honda Accord Hybrid which she loved..

 

 

From the side the seat looks good and is hard to tell from stock.

I made one mod to the spacer install.

I cut a piece from 2 x 4 (2 x4s are exactly 1 1/2 " thick) 

I cut a piece 1 3/4" wide x 3 1/2" long to fit between the seat rail and the floor of the car.

I then measured the distance to the bolt center hole and drilled a 1" hole in the wood to install the metal spacer in.

There is a screw that holds the seat adjustment mechanism that protrudes below the rail so i had to drill a 1/2" hole for that.

I then painted the wood block black to match the carpet etc.

Very happy with the results. the seat adjustments work as stock

 

Edited July 31, 2013 at 07:02 PM by cricket36

[Dv43]

If you are interested in raising the rear of the passenger seat aprox 1 1/2 inches I may have a fix for you. I purchased 2 transmission mounts from o'reillys parts (stock number 2109) and 2 bolts 10m-1.5-65. I'm very happy with the results and looks very professional. Dv43

[DAVE]

Dv43,

 

I think we would all be interested in a link to theO'reilly Transmission mount that you used . Maybe a picture of the mount and link.

Edited October 9, 2013 at 11:30 AM by DAVE

[DAVE]

Starting a new thread with a NEW IDEA thanks to another forum member (Martin) who made (machined)  a set of new risers with the idea of adding a "Little More Peace of Mind" in case of frontal collision concern raised by Cricket36.  See new thread . NEW possible Seat height fix for Fusion 2013 (might also apply to the 2014  - not sure) 

 

I will say it's cool when forum members get together to share ideas. Hopefully our Ford Forum moderators will forward the complaint to Ford engineering. This new idea seems fairly straight forward and would solve this silly issue of the passenger seat being too low and uncomfortable. 

[dadersh@gmail.com]

Easy, inexpensive, and straightforward fix:

 

 Hi, I am Brian, and I purchased two 3" Torx T55 bolts from Dave, of earlier posts in this forum.

I also purchased two zinc-plated steel, unthreaded spacers ( 1" OD, 1.5 " length, 1/2 inch screw size ),

from McMaster-Carr @mcmaster.com.  The part no. is 92415A466 - with 1/2 in. screw size.

 

I also had to buy sockets for the 1.5 " Torx T55 bolts ( to remove them )and the replacement 3" Torx T55 bolts. 

 

It was a matter of:

 

-removing the two 1.5 " bolts, each holding one of the right or left railings that the passenger seat

 slides back and forth upon ( when being adjusted ) to the floor, behind the passenger seat

 

-lifting the back of the seat so the rear side of the railings comes off of the floor.

 

-inserting the spacers between the floor and the railing, and threading each of the 3" bolts through

 the railing, the spacer, and into the threaded hole in the floor that the original 1.5 " bolt was

 screwed into.

 

-tighten 3" bolts, by feel, about as tight as it took to untighten the 1.5"bolts.

 

 

Seems to work well.  Seems pretty structurally sound but maybe a little less than it was

 originally because with the railing raised, a metal peg extending down from the railing, to the

front of the Torx bolt, no longer reaches a second hole to the front of the hole for the Torx bolt.

Based on how sturdy the raised railing feels, I am not concerned about this.

 

[Irvin]

Solution For Ford Fusion 2013 Low Passenger Seat Problem

I followed David’s solution with a minor modification.  He had told me that the 2” spacers made the seat too high and that he had switched them out for 1½” spacers, so that is what I used as well.

Next, I purchased two bolts from David as he still had a few left over (he purchased a complete box of 12 bolts) for $10 each delivered to my door. You can also purchase the bolts online from the same vendor as the spacers described below, McMaster: http://www.mcmaster....9/3094/=n89ir7. Note, these aren't torx T55 head bolts; but rather metric allen head cap screws, M10 1.5 pitch with a 70mm length (about 3”). Cost is approximately $4 each. This company is great and very helpful.

I ordered the zinc-plated steel spacers at: http://www.mcmaster....spacers/=n6j3uo The part number is 92415A156 (1” OD x 1 1/2” long with ½” hole @ $13.29 each). You need 2 to place under the rear end of each passenger seat rail; the bolts located at the front of each rail do not need spacers.

I happened to have the tools on hand so I didn’t have to buy any socket wrench tips for either bolt types. I removed the old bolts each holding the rear end of the seat rails to the floor, pushed the seat upward with one hand then leaned against it with shoulder to keep it in place while I slid the carpet filler piece (see modification described below) and spacers under the rail then threaded the bolt into the original hole through the seat rail as it was originally assembled. Since the new longer bolt goes through the floor metal into an air cavity in the frame structure beam the end is not exposed to the weather.

I made one modification to the spacer install. I wanted to cover the rectangular cut-out in the carpet that exposed floor metal after the seat was raised to accommodate the spacers. The original seat rails hid that cut-out area. I cut two strips (about 1” x 3”) from a truck liner piece of fabric found under the rear seat when it was tilted forward that was not normally visible and used it to fill in the opening in the floor carpet under the seat rail (I tucked it under the original carpet edge). I also cut a hole in this carpet filler piece so that the bolt would go through the carpet easily and be held in place by the tightness of the bolt through the spacer.

Quick and easy; took about 15 min for both. Over all, the final configuration looks great. From the side the seat looks good and is hard to tell from stock.

Passengers now feel they are no longer sitting on the floor. My wife had complained from day one that the passenger seat was too low, she hated it; after the install she said it feels right (she is only 5’ 4”). I cannot understand why Ford allowed this situation to evolve into such a customer sore point. Not good customer handling.