Ford Fiesta Mk6 2002-2008 3 Door Front Seat Tilt Handle Lever Replacement Install Instructions Guide

Link to purchase passenger side handle: x8r.co.uk/ford...
Please note we only sell the passenger side handle now.
The Problem
Seat tilt handle snaps, preventing tilting of the front seat.
It is very common for the handle on the seat tilt mechanism to snap on these vehicles. This means the seat cannot be tilted restricting access to the rear seats. Making every day tasks such as carrying passengers, fitting children’s seats and exiting the back seats awkward. We have heard of cases of vehicles failing their MOT due to this fault and the restricted access to the rear seats.
Symptoms of the fault
Seat lever handle broken, broke, snapped off, faulty. Handle lever breaks or snaps off away from the rest of the plastic parts. The handle might appear intact but doesn’t tilt the seat due to plastic snapping within the handle mechanism. Or handle lifts but only half way and is not enough to tilt the seat.
Vehicles affected and compatibility
Ford Fiesta 2002-2008 3 door (UK Mk6, 5th generation)
Drivers side part number: 1417520
Passenger side part number: 1417521
Our solution
Simply install our replacement handle and restore the tilting function of your seats.
Provided the cable release mechanism is OK (this can be checked by pulling with pliers which should tilt the seat) this common fault is very easily resolved by installing our replacement handle mechanism.
Our replacement seat tilt handle fits in the exact same way and looks identical to the OE part.
Our part allows a simple repair that can be carried out in situ on the car with no special tools required. With the old broken handle removed, it’s just a push fit to install our part. There is no need to remove the seats. Please check out our pictorial and video instructions.

[@maxdavies9958]

I managed after an hour to get it in place the. The new one snapped in the same place as the old one.

[@snedge28]

Your video looks a lot easier than it is for me. I’ve struggled for an hour and only got one clip off the passenger side. Seat won’t move forward when I pull the cable and I can’t get the driver’s side clip off at all. Edited to add: I got it off using a Dremel. Clip went on super easy though.

[@sophiegreen592]

You need a new cable mate

[@AlienFreak69]

Can't access the top latch at all. The bottom one is easy. I can push it even without looking but the top one I can't see or feel it. I'm at a point where I'm seriously considering breaking the entire latch piece by piece. I mean I'm throwing it away anyway. I don't see why I shouldn't just break it off.

[@thew4rrior5code]

That's what I'm thinking lol did you manage to get it off? By force or with screwdrivers?

[@brandonheatbeyond]

I'm stuck, the bottom lug is obvious when I press with a screwdriver, but the top one, it seems like metal completely surrounds it so there's no way to press it from above, I can just see a bit of the top black plastic

[@benghazi4216]

If you haven't solved it yet, I had the same problem. I got the bottom loose, but couldn't like you get to the top one. So I bent the whole plastic part until it broke off. Put the new one in, and it works like a charm. Remember to bend in the same direction as the seat folds, since there is a plastic part that stays attached to the seat, and you don't want to twist that.

[@brandonheatbeyond]

@@benghazi4216 i have unfortunately paid to have it fixed, but at least you have reassured me I want going insane, even though it does sound like brute force (done in the right way). Would have done it

[@benghazi4216]

@@brandonheatbeyond May I ask how much they charged you for one seat? To be honest, the way it looked to me I wouldn't have been able to do it without brute force. It was like the top lug was behind the steel plate. The other one I pushed until I broke the plastic that the lug was connected to. And the lugs on the cheap aftermarket parts had to be cut with a knife to even fit in the steel plate... Either way, sometimes calculated violence actually works.

[@TheTeknikFrik]

@@benghazi4216 So I am not alone! Might try brute force tomorrow.

[@benghazi4216]

@@TheTeknikFrik Remember, calculated violence, or else you could just make it worse ;)

[@mrburger007]

Would love a guide on replacing the cable when the stop end snaps off

[@blakelewis1926]

I’ve done one side but on my drivers seat the cable is really tight & can’t be pulled out with pliers, any other suggestions please

[@Luke-ey4js]

Hit it with your purse

[@benghazi4216]

You can't fiddle in a steel wire under the small metal cylinder? It is attached with two cables, so if you can get a steel wire into the gap between them you are golden

[@apexinstinct]

Followed the video exactly and cannot put the new catch on.

[@EDDIEM0NS00N]

Fantastic video. Only took me 15 mins & all sorted 👍🏻

[@frankygoes1966]

Thanks for showing

[@ryanshaw2283]

Hi, I have a 2007 Finesse Fiesta Limited edition. It has the same mechanism for titled seats forward, same handle on the top of the seat etc. However it isn't possible to remove the back cover of the seats to fix it as you have demonstrated in your video. Have you any help or advice?

[@X8RLtdUK]

Hi there, you do not need to remove a back cover. Please read instructions here: www.instructables.com/Ford-Fiesta-Mk6-VI-2002-2008-3-Door-Front-Seat-Til/

[@tomcass240]

Are these like the cheap Chinese copies sold on ebay? Already had 2 break on me. No where near as easy as this video makes it look. Also why do on every other video they have to hammer it in and this guy just uses 2 thumbs to push it in? I think this video has been manipulated.

[@X8RLtdUK]

Hi, our parts are not from China and are a like-for-like replacement of the OEM part. Please go to our website x8r.co.uk/ford-fiesta-mk6-2002-2008-3-door-front-passengers-seat-tilt-handle-lever-1417521.html to purchase. Please note we no longer sell the drivers side handle and the passenger side is while current stock lasts. The video has not been manipulated or you would see continuity errors. - Georgina, X8R Ltd

[@rangeroverblues3489]

Brilliant, really clear and explained at a good pace, very very helpful.

[@ARTOH.1]

Great video, great walkthrough. Many thanks

[@unknown-el9ud]

Get a ford they said seat problems they never said 🙄 how much for a mechanic to do this if anyone knows

[@puliczny]

Super film 👍

[@marekh1822]

Replacement is super easy, but I had problems to remove the old handle. Tried for 30 seconds, and then broke it because I don't the old one. Thanks for the movie

[@asicox666]

Ty very much . Sa iti dea dumnezeu sanatate

[@Wavy-sf9ep]

Great ! 5 minutes to remplace it a big thanks !!

[@tomthompson7400]

is the part sided , or will it fit either side of the car .?

[@X8RLtdUK]

We have both drivers and passenger side: x8r.co.uk/ford/replacement-seat-tilt-handles.html

[@MJKHODR]

Nice one

[@REEMOXHD]

Good Video.

[@abdulqayum6660]

Thanks for the video.,, really helpful