Seat installation gurus

[david c.]

Anyone have a tip or two on how the hell to tighten down the bolts that affix the rails to the seat mounts?

I've removed and installed various seats in Porsches, and other cars, over the years, but today it got maddening. I can't get an allen wrench in the small space between the socket head bolt and the damn seat. Is there some other way to do this?

[MotoSook]

Dave, on some installs, I have found it easier to tighten the sliders to the rails, then the seat to the sliders. If you are installing Carrera seats (sliders on) and your sliders came with the little tab washers for the front screws, take them out, and the seat will slide more forward. If you do the rear screws first, then the fronts it'll be eaiser(and you can us the stop tab washers). The seat slides more forward than they do rearward. so you start with the rears. The seat will just clear the fronts...enough to put a wrench on them.

Good luck.

[jester911]

You might try an allen socket wrench. That may not be the correct name but basically an allen wrench attached to a socket. I bought a whole set of metric ones and they come in handy on these cars. Also you can buy the allen wrenches that have the ball at the end so you can angle them a little.

[david c.]

I am trying to install a pair of vintage Recaro Rallye seats. They just don't have the room to get in there with either a socket, a regular allen wrench or the round-ended allen wrenches. I was thinking of Souk's idea - installing the seat to the mounted sliders - but the metal frame of the seat bottom makes it impossible. This is a conundrum.

I wonder if someone makes allen wrenches with flat handles, so you can really get on top of a socket head bolt?

[NY65912]

Cut a regular long allen key and substitute it on the socket or buy a long allen socket. Works every time!

Good Luck

[david c.]

Mike,

Could you explain that a little differently? Sounds like an idea but I'm not sure exactly what you're saying.

Dave

[jtratza]

Souk's method works. That's what I did a few months ago.

[tchanson]

Originally posted by dave cardone
I wonder if someone makes allen wrenches with flat handles, so you can really get on top of a socket head bolt?

Dave,

Go to your local Radio Shack and look for this mini ratchet.

I've used an older version (pictured below) to reach the allen bolts of my (Recaro made) factory Euro GT3 seats numerous times and it works well. Application specific tool in my case, but a great cheap tool nonetheless.




Tim

[david c.]

Thanks Tim, I will try that.

[84porsche]

Dave,

Take a look here when I changed mine. But from my experience, remove the front allen screws first and then slide the chair forward to do the back. I was able to do this with a regular set of allen wrenches.

Chris

[david c.]

Chris,

I used to have the exact same seats that you installed in that thread you linked. I've had those in/out several times. I agree, it's not too difficult.

My problem, here, is these vintage Recaro seats. There just isn't the room above the socket head bolt to get any sort of a tool onto it.

Dave

[MotoSook]

Cut an allen, then use an open or box end wrench. I have a generic tool kit from one of my venders that has allen inserts for a screw driver handle thing. The allen is about 1 inch long. I fit it into tight spaces, then put a wrench on it. Works good.

[david c.]

Great idea. I'll give it a whirl.