Mustang drivers seat valance replacement.
 

hi guys, I am new to the mustang. I have a 2006 saleen and I am going to change out the drivers seat valance as it has broken, any tips to make it easy, or things I should not do. Any help would be appreciated. Had to edit this message as I forgot to post the year. Like I said I am new to this so all pointers help.
Thanks Guys

You would probably get more eyes on this post if you posted this in the special editions sections of the forum.

Forgive me. What is a drivers seat valance?

Side panel. Depending on the model in question. OP needs to put more info about what year car we're talkin' about.

But I bet it's an 05-14, and the side panel clips let go. Similar to the trunk latch cover panel on the 05-09s. They're really nasty clips. Very irritating. Getting it off is simply... pulling like hell. And it will gouge the plastic tangs. Dunno why you wanna swap 'em out though. :dunno:

Oh, big point, you will need to remove the clip that holds the reclining seat lever on the side. Here's the section of the manual that'll help, for an '05-09: http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=453&viewfil...iew, Front.pdf

And the instructions: http://iihs.net/fsm/?dir=453&viewfil...rol Switch.pdf

Oh, look, there's also a screw. Great. Ok, now I'm full of knowledge. :p

Anyway, after that, you have to get the clips out of the seat (and that might mean taking the seat out to get that cover completely off) and then rebend the tines that latch on to the plastic. Because the action of taking the cover out is going to not only gouge the plastic of the tines, but ALSO cause the teeth of the clip to get messed up where they won't work as good. So, recap, take the cover off, AND get the clips out that hold it on the seat.

The 'fix' is to put rebend the teeth of the clip inward so they'll grip/catch the plastic tang better, then put the clip on the *tang* first, ensuring the clip is missing the eaten bits, then jam it into the mouting slot of the seat (or in my case, the trunk, haven't done the seat panel yet, doesn't bother me right now) and hope the clip doesn't shift.

After doing this, my trunk panel is stuck like chuck.

You can't get the clips without buying the panels, and if the tang of the plastic piece is broken off, you can only get a new one (or repair, but good luck with that softer kind of plastic... it's not very good at holding any repairs. Hard ABS you can fix. Soft stuff... not so much, no.)

And that's assuming I even got close as to what the problem is. OP, please provide more details if what I've described isn't correct for your case. Thanks much!

The you, I have printed out the manual and will read it over. I appreciate your time to help me.

No problem, please let us know how it went! :nice:

Just to update, it appears that 6R3Z-7662187-AC which I had sent back to FordPartsGiant.com was the correct part number after all which does in fact include the snap for attaching the seat strap on the 2006 S197 models... Needless to say, lesson learned the hard way!