86 Seatback release knobs

[TroyGT]

Can anyone tell me what holds the seatback release knobs onto the metal arms within the seatbacks? I have an 86 Carerra and the PO had wrapped masking tape around the metal arms and then just stuck the knobs on over the tape. Needless to say the first time I tried to get into the back seat, I pulled one off in my hand. Then grabbed the one on the other side of the seat, pulled it off too. All the knobs in my car have had the metal arm masking tape wrapped and then the knobs stuck on over the tape, so I have no reference point to work from. I bought all new knobs from our host, just can't figure out how to properly re-attach them.

Thanks.

-Troy

[mschuep]

Hmmm. These break off pretty easy, I have one on my 85 that I glued back on, and am very gentle with since I know it is fragile. As far as I could tell when I had it apart, it just slips over the metal arm. The plastic was cracked on my knob, so I assumed thats why it did not fit tight.

The new knobs I see in the parts section look a little different than mine, and they also have a clamp thingy that appears to go along with them. Do you have any pictures of your dilemma? That might help.

edit: Nevermind about the clamp and the different look of the knobs....found the right knobs in the parts catalog

[TroyGT]

My knobs are shaped like wedges, with a hollow plastic shaft that goes into the seat area and slips over the metal arm inside. My old ones were cracked and I too thought that's why they were so loose. However, the new ones are very loose as well and will fall right off with any seat movement. There must be something else that holds them... I haven't seen this clamp that you referred to.

[911 Rod]

Been there done that.
There is a little metal clamp that grips the seat part and then you slide the knob onto it.
Even new ones come off sometimes
PITA

[defcon65]

Two of the four in my car are hosed, too. Anybody make an aftermarket replacement that is not so under-engineered? I don't think they need to be billet aluminum, but these plastic jobs look like they fell out of a cereal box.

Joe

[Wil Ferch]

Wait a minute....wait a minute....

The knob has a hollow shaft allright...and this "hollow" can break easily. Use super-glue if you can to re-attach the ( often) semi-torn-off piece that broke off and is hanging-on...

Yes..it fits on the "male" metal portion of the seat lever....but there is also a small "barb" made of thin sheet metal that fits inside the "hollow" before it slips over the male metal piece of the seat. A PET search will undoubtedly find the part number. I ordered some from a dealer a while back IIRC and were easy to find....when this happened to me.

- Wil

[911 Rod]

BTW
If you look under your seats you can usually find extra clips and maybe knobs from the previous owners.

[TroyGT]

That's the ticket! I'm missing this little barbed sheet metal piece that fits inside the knob before placing it on the lever. I'll look under the seats for a straggler first, then search our host for the part number.

I'll post the part number if I find it. Thanks for all your help!

-Troy

[javadog]

Troy,

The part number for the barbed clip is 311881247. Pelican sells them for 75 cents. Buy a few extras.

JR

[TroyGT]

Found it, thanks! Our host has the clamps and the older and new versions of the knob too. It's called a Seat Release Control Knob and Clamp.

[mschuep]

Well, SO a B, I'm going to have to get a few too and loose the glue!