RF Tether and Tether anchor installation Question

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Aug 1, 2005

• #1

Does anyone know where I can place the D-Ring in a 1997 Ford Escort? I'm finding a hard time finding a spot.

Also, even though I have a RF MA in my car full-time, I also have a FF MA occasionally, so I went to my dealership to have a top tether anchor installed.

They told me it was going to be $50 to order the part, and then I'd have to pay for labor as well. Is this standard? I thought it seemed a little steep, but I'll pay for it if thats the norm.

 

bazanna

Senior Community Member

• Aug 1, 2005

• #2

Nope, your first anchor should be free and the installation you can do yourself if you have knife and a pair of pliers, I kid you not. Their labor should be cheap but they probably have a minimum charge

I have had a 95 Escort and currently I have a 99 and I always put the D-ring around the leg of the front passenger seat, where it bolts to the floor, below the "track" where the seat moves foward and backward. Does that make sense? You might have to shove some of the carpeting out of the way...

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Aug 1, 2005

• #3

What do I tell them in order to get the first Tether anchor part for free? I really only do need one of them, so that would be perfect.

But I'd love a little "paper proof" with me that I shouldn't be paying for the first one. Thanks

 

bazanna

Senior Community Member

• Aug 1, 2005

• #4

My LATCH manual is at work but I will look it up today and post back when I get home, if someone else hasn't posted by then.

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Aug 1, 2005

• #5

Thank you, I would appreciate that so much!

And I also got the D-Ring perfect in the spot you mentioned, so thanks for that too.

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Aug 3, 2005

• #6

Bumping for Bazanna, or anyone else who might know.

I'm actually going to have the FF MA in my car very soon, so I'm hoping to get to the dealership for the part, in the very near future!

 

bazanna

Senior Community Member

• Aug 4, 2005

• #7

Thanks for the bump, sorry it took me so long! I brought my manual home so I could sit down and take a look around for stuff.

Click this link, then print it out and take it to the Ford dealership when you go

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/press/date/20000215/press008006.html

If the dealer is unsure, refer them to the press release date, they should be able to look it up and see for themselves.

The actual part number for your '97 is F7CZ 54613D74-AD for a sedan and F7CZ 74613D74-AA for a wagon.

Post back after you talk to the dealership, I'm interested to know what they say!

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Aug 4, 2005

• #8

Wow, perfect!

I'll be checking this out on Friday, and I'll let you know what they say!

Thanks again.

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Aug 8, 2005

• #9

Well its been drama after drama with the Dealership since my first attempt on Friday.

No one has a clue, even though I brought pictures, explained with words, and even took them to the new car showroom to SHOW them exactly what I was talking about.

I went Friday and took that info that Bazanna gave (which was great ammo ) but they said they needed to do their own research, order the part, and for me to come back today (Monday).

So I returned today and they hadn't ordered the part, still were confused, and have promised that the part WAS finally ordered this afternoon and will be ready for installation tomorrow.

This is taking a long while, but it will all be worthwhile if they get it done tomorrow.

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Aug 8, 2005

• #10

Oh, and one more question (probably a dumb one).

With the tether (RF) its supposed to be taut, right? But not super tight, just enough that the slack is out? And it should be taut with the kid IN the seat, correct?

 

bazanna

Senior Community Member

• Aug 9, 2005

• #11

Yup we say only taut, not tight when RF because you could tighten it all day due to the plush vehicle seat...and you don't want to tighten to the point that the seat exceeds the 45 degree maximum angle.

When FF, then you want it as tight as possible, after a good installation with LATCH or the seatbelt system.

Sorry they are giving you the runaround! I hope it gets worked out. Do let us know!

 

U

Unregistered

Guest

• Aug 10, 2005

• #12

Alright, I now officially have a top tether anchor in my both of my cars, as they WERE able to get the parts in and install them this afternoon. I already feel so much better about having that FF MA next time

Funny story. The guys that installed it were really young, and totally clueless (in a funny kind of way). Once they were done with the anchor, they must have thought that I had planned on using my RF MA for it, so they TOTALLY uninstalled my RF MA and placed it over on the side of the anchor, and just sat it there on the seat.

The undid the seat belt, lock offs, tether/D-ring, EVERYTHING. It made me crack up because I'm sure they thought that it would help me out by moving the seat over, never realizing that the tether anchor wasn't meant for that seat. Can't knock them for trying

 

bazanna

Senior Community Member

• Aug 10, 2005

• #13

I'm glad they got it done for you!

I'm wondering if they took the seat out just for access to have a workspace in the backseat...?