$5.00 seat fix 1985 F150

[C.Jett]

Front seat back pivot side cover, what a mouthful, another trim piece Ford cheaped out on. Steel clip held on by a couple of 1/16’ plastic tits. They cost over $100. a pair. I know it’s been done before but this is what I did today. It took 2- 10/24x1/2” Buttonhead screws, 2-10/24 acorn nuts and 2 flat washers. About $5.00. The side covers has a 3/16” hole that’s not all the way thru under the clip. Drill this hole all the way thru with a 3/16” cobalt drill bit. Align clip with tit location. One side of my clip had more angle than other side. This angle goes to top of cover. If you have enough tit left, use soldering Iron on tits to hold clip as original.If not, use duct tape. Hold cover with clip on bottom against a piece of 1x2 standing on end. Hold tightly. Drill thru hole in cover thru clip with 3/16” cobalt bit. Install screw and nut. I might leave the washer off. Delete the small square piece that was over the clip. Need to grind about an 1/8” off 1/2” screw. CJ

[viven44]

Nice solution!!

I've had this same issue before and I tried super glue and it failed. Next up was gorilla 2 part epoxy. It has held up for a while. If it fails ever, i'll try your approach, but I do have a cheap harbor freight riveter that might work as well.

[Gary Lewis]

I did it the other way 'round, with the screw head outside and a small nut inside.  It works.  But I used a black screw so it wasn't easily visible.

[C.Jett]

Viven 44, I don’t think the rivet would work, you woul,d have to insert it on the inside to clear what it clips to, so the squashed part would be showing. CJ

[C.Jett]

Gary, I wanted the acorn nut to show. I have to paint the cover grey and I might leave the nut chrome. I think it’s the way Ford should have done it. CJ

[Gary Lewis]

Works for me.  Either way this approach works nicely.  But you are right that you have to keep whatever is inside small as it'll hold the trim piece away from the arm and not let the springs grab properly.

[C.Jett]

 Installed the covers today. CJ

[grumpin]

Looks nice!

[Gary Lewis]

Well done!

I'm here to tell you that a screw and nut seems to be the ONLY way to contain that piece.  It is amazing that Ford did it with some kind of adhesive 40 years ago, but I can't find anything that comes close now.