Seat Removal Options

[orthobiz]

I did a search and there are several threads about how to do this. Most say "shove a screwdriver" or "reach under and release it but watch for amputations." I thought I would try to document seat removal in excruciating detail in order to save a few fingers!

Picture of a passenger seat, orientation noted for each photo.

This spring clip is the bugger that stops the seat from coming all the way forward out of the rails. It is in the seat track on the outside of the car, the one by the door, the one with the angle adjuster. Front is to the left.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/v4s1.yimg.com-7438-1393809044.1.jpg)

One good way to remove the seat is to shove a 12" flat blade screwdriver down the front of the rail towards the back of the car.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/v4s2.yimg.com-7438-1393809046.2.jpg)

This is the spring clip in action, seat is as far forward as the fore/aft adjuster will allow. It is preventing the seat from coming further forward. Front is to the left.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/v4s1.yimg.com-7438-1393809046.3.jpg)

A view from further away, the front of the seat is to the left.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/v4s2.yimg.com-7438-1393809046.4.jpg)

The screwdriver is in place. Twist the blade and you might appreciate a subtle click as the spring is sprung. Front is to the right.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/v4s2.yimg.com-7438-1393809047.5.jpg)

It's about 8.5 inches in from the rail, 9 or so inches from the front of the seat shell. Front is to the right.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/v4s1.yimg.com-7438-1393809047.6.jpg)

To push manually without a screwdriver, the spring is about 6.5 inches back from the front of the seat rail. Reach under the edge of the rail and push upwards. Front is to the left.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/v4s2.yimg.com-7438-1393809047.7.jpg)

A view from further away. Front is to the left.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/v4s2.yimg.com-7438-1393809047.8.jpg)

While it would be especially easy if the seat were upside down, in real life you have to reach under to get to it. This is a view from the top. It's about 6.5 inches back from the front of the seat. I think the middle finger is especially appropriate for this vexing task! Front is to the right.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/v4s1.yimg.com-7438-1393809048.9.jpg)

What you're trying to do is to push the spring clip upward to release it from the square hole in the track. Front is to the right.
(IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/uploads_offsite/v4s2.yimg.com-7438-1393809758.1.jpg)

Don't forget to pull up on the fore/aft adjuster on the other side while you remove it!

Paul

[mrbubblehead]

if you break that little stopper off the seats just slide right out. way easier than trying to fiddle around with a screw driver.

[mepstein]

The first time it might take a couple minutes to locate the release but once you get it figured out, its a 10 second operation. I just hold the spring release with a finger. There is very little tension on the spring.

[dcecc1968]

Thanks a bunch for this post. I have heard it was possible, but never saw the mechanism, so I always just removed the bolts from the floorboard.

I assume the driver's side spring is located on the outside rail as well, correct?

Thanks,
Don

[orthobiz]

Thanks a bunch for this post. I have heard it was possible, but never saw the mechanism, so I always just removed the bolts from the floorboard.

I assume the driver's side spring is located on the outside rail as well, correct?

Thanks,
Don

Yes, mirror images.

Paul

[dcecc1968]

Thanks a bunch for this post. I have heard it was possible, but never saw the mechanism, so I always just removed the bolts from the floorboard.

I assume the driver's side spring is located on the outside rail as well, correct?

Thanks,
Don

Yes, mirror images.

Paul

Thanks Paul!