Grit coming off 2011 SHO front seats

[DouglasB_SHO]

New problem with my 2011 SHO with 100K miles (and I didn't find anything about this in a search in the community, SHO Forum, or openly online): there's a black grit coming out of the front seats that feels like sand. It's worse on the passenger seat but comes out of both. I'm wondering if the foam of the seat cushion is deteriorating? Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[SHOrod]

Assuming you have ventilated seats, have you checked the seat filter and the filter inlet area under the seats?

-Rod

 

[DouglasB_SHO]

Assuming you have ventilated seats, have you checked the seat filter and the filter inlet area under the seats?

-Rod

Yes on the ventilated seats. I checked the filters and they're fine. The grit is like a powder and when I rolled it between my fingers, it lumped together in a way that makes me think it's the seat cushion deteriorating.

 

[yaycandy]

Thats ass grit, its just normal wear on the seat inserts. Pp steering wheels will do the same. The factory carpet floormats will do the same also

 

[DouglasB_SHO]

Thats ass grit, its just normal wear on the seat inserts. Pp steering wheels will do the same. The factory carpet floormats will do the same also

Hard to accept that answer. It's coming from the base and the back, more from the back on the passenger seat which is less used. It's not from the alcantra "leather" as it is coming through the holes in the material. Comes out even more when the material is slapped with a hand.

 

[Jedster1]

Either the foam is deteriorating, or you have mice!!

 

[DouglasB_SHO]

Either the foam is deteriorating, or you have mice!!

Sadly, I think this is the right assessment. The grit is WAY smaller than what mice leave behind. Next step is to look up replacement cushions and the R&R process.

 

[luigisho]

Not sure what the supply chain looks like, but I was able to find foam inserts and seat covers for my '14 f150 a year or 2 ago. Search some Ford parts websites and see if things are in stock. You may even be able to find new seat cover bottoms or backs if you think they are damaged beyond cleaning.

 

[DouglasB_SHO]

Update. I pulled the passenger seat and opened the seat covers enough to confirm the problem is the seat topper, that is, the pad that is on top of the heating elements, which sits on top of the main cushion. Image below if from eBay - the gray padding is the part that's crumbling. I cannot find these listed separately in any Ford diagram so I don't have a part number. I found ventilated topper padding on eBay so I'm hoping that will do the trick. I'll post a follow-up when I get the padding, and perhaps even photos of the replacement process when I get to that. I did not find any videos or photo sequences of seat cushion or padding replacement for 2011(series) Ford Taurus. There are some of F150 seats of various years.

 

[Jeff2017]

I would just get some after market foam of a similar thickness to this picture and cut it to fit. It shouldn't be too hard to find.