Seat Removal Help

[dm36415]

Is there a trick to removing the front seats?

I just received my new seats, and I can't seem to get either the driver or passenger seat up far enough forward to remove the back bolts. I can get the seats back far enough to get the front bolts, so those are not a problem.

Thanks in advance.

[boyt911sc]

Dave,

When you slide the seats forward all the way, do you see the rear retaining bolts or they are still under the rail? I used a special tool for this application. The space is so tight and awkward to work on it.

Tony

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

As I remember, you need to use a short, angled Allen wrench. It's a *****, to be sure, but it's do-able.

[msk1986911]

Get a 6mm open end wrench and cut the short end from a 6mm allen key. That combination should ease the removal (even better if you can find a 6mm wrench that ratchets (gear wrench??). For some reason, putting the rails in the farthest back position makes subsequent removals simpler as well.

[dm36415]

I have a 10mm bolt, not an allen head.

I can see the bolt, but there is not enough clearance to get my socket under the seat, and the frame precludes the use of a wrench.

Is there any type of "blocking" device that is preventing the seat from going further forward, or is this just another one of those things I'll need to work around? Could have been a 5 minute job..........

[dm36415]

What separates us from the other animals is our ability to not only use tools, but to build them.

I have a vise grip with concave jaws that I used around my socket instead of using my ratchet, worked like a dream.

Thanks for the inspiration! Can't wait to plant my butt on those new seats!

[autobonrun]

You probably have the seat as far forward as it will go. There is a stop in the seat rails that prevents it from moving any more forward.

I had to shorten a socket by cutting off a piece of the back section the ratchet fits into. Then I ended up buying a cap set from Sears. I could not get even a small ratchet underneath my seat. These caps just fit into the socket, then use a wrench to turn. Of course, I used a 10mm socket that would fit the smallest cap that came in the set.

More importantly after they are off, replace the stock bolts with allen head bolts. Make you use ones of sufficient strength given their importance. I seem to recall the ones I bought were SAE Grade 8 (Metric Class 10.9) but perhaps someone else can confirm which bolts have the strength you need.

Here's what the Sears Cap Set looks like.

[autobonrun]

Originally posted by dm36415
What separates us from the other animals is our ability to not only use tools, but to build them.

I have a vise grip with concave jaws that I used around my socket instead of using my ratchet, worked like a dream.

Thanks for the inspiration! Can't wait to plant my butt on those new seats!

Congrats. I just noticed you have your problem solved.

[boyt911sc]

Dave,

I was in similar situation many times and decided to do something about it. So I came up with this gadget and kept it in my tool box. It still takes about 5 minutes to remove both seats and less frustration in performing this simple task.
The socket on the right is a regular 10 mm socket (Sears) and on the left is the grinded/shorten 10 mm socket version. Plus a 1/4" drive to fit the 7 mm rachet. Hope this would help you in your predicament. Good luck.....

Tony

[dm36415]

Thanks for all the help folks, just got back from the obligatory test drive, which is the best part of DIY.

The new seats had just enough clearance that I could reinstall using a regular socket, I guess they have more slide than the previous ones.

What I would have given to have had those tools shown above before I started. Best thing though, I finished without breaking anything else, a true net gain!