Front seat removal

[sierraspider]

I'm wanting to work under the dash to straighten out wiring (clean etc) and I don't want to do Houdini act for an hour or so. Tried to remove front seat (checked all posts on subject, none with same situation as mine) and got front hex screws out pronto. Problem is the rear ones. I can't slide seat far enough forward to access rear ones. Seat slides well, but there is a bump (a kind of stop just before front torque screw ) that is keeping me from moving seat far enough forward with a bolt on underside that is travel stop. Head of bolts hits bump and can't get past it. Thinking of getting out grinder because hex rail screw should also be the travel stop. Thought I'd post problem before I go to grinder. THIS SHOULD BE WAY EASIER THAN THIS, what am I missing here.

[phaetn]

On mine, anyway, the original seat rails had Phillips head rounded screws that were quite low and hence didn't interfere with anything as the seat slid fore and aft. The rear ones were close to getting stipped, though, because it wasn't straight down to get access with a long handled screwdriver, but at an angle.

When I put in the new seats I replaced the fasteners with allen head bolts. I made sure they were low enough heads so the seat sliders could pass. Getting at the rear ones was also now easier because of the 90 degree bend in the Allen key rather than using a Phillips.

Having to use an angle grinder sounds excessive. I wonder if someone installed them improperly somehow. The knob to activate the slider for each seat should be on the transmission side, not the outer side of the car.

Cheers,
phaetn

[sierraspider]

Lever is on the trans side, so that's right and I don't think they could have be reversed. Even with proper allen head, not enough room under seat to get a rear ones. I'll wait a bit and see if anyone has seen this. Plenty of other tinkering projects to do.
Thanks phaetn...

[redcars]

My 81 & 82 both have low profile heads from the factory. I have not had to do anything special to the the seats out. The rear ones are at an angle, but not bad.

[azruss]

To get to the back ones, you have to slide the seat as far up as possible. It is still a problem to reach. If you have allens, you need a ball style wrench to get them off. as you can only reach the bolts at an angle.

[sierraspider]

Just not able to get seat far enough forward to get at rear track bolts. Don't know if adjuster mechanism is hanging up and not allowing seat to move farther forward or what. Seat slides very smoothly to that point. Frustrating because I can't get allen on rear bolts.

[azruss]

It is common for dirt and stuff to build up in the slider that keeps it from sliding back all the way. If you have compressed air, try blowing out the track on the locking slider side at the back of the track. May want to try some lubricant there as well. Even though everything slides smooth, you make have some build-up packed at the back of the track that keeps it from going back that last 1/4 to 1/2". You can also take the front bolts out and see if it slides back more on one side than the other.

[sierraspider]

Front bolts are out-took 5 minutes. The problem is seat won't slide far enough forward to get at back ones. Feels like it's hanging up on something more than just crud, but I'll try to clean it better. It actually feels like there's only one rear bolt, as if PO had taken it apart at some point. Going to take out lower back seat to see if I can free it up in that direction. What a PITA for a freaking seat. Time to get out the torch, just kidding!

[azruss]

It is possible the PO replaced the original screw with something taller that is hanging up on the bottom of the seat at the very end of the stroke. I have seen allen screws that will do this. You may need to take a pry bar and force the seat past this point.

[4uall]

I had this exact same problem

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... s&start=15

I ended up spraying the rails with everything I had ( wd40, grease, oil etc) while just giving it hell pushing the rails back and forth they finally gave way, then I greased the railings with waterproof marine grease, then put in the allen bolts

[sierraspider]

Azruss
I think you're on to it. I've tried all the other solutions and it just feels too solid to be some accumulated crap There's some interesting PO work on the car and I think this is another dumb ass fix or perhaps they just loosened up after 32 years of rockin in the free world.. Gonna get out the pry bar and heave to. By the way had passenger seat out in 10 minutes.

[Nanonevol]

I had a similar problem. Turned out to be a nickel wedged diagonally. Had to drill the seat pan to get out the back screws. Seems like a commonly troublesome area!

[sierraspider]

Ok so here's what's up with my troublesome seat. Was able to lift up front enough to sawzall, yes that's right, rear track bolts. I'll need to chase threads for new torx, no big deal. They had loosed up enough that the seat wouldn't slide forward to get at them. Seat is OUT. Slides/track are a bit rusty (not too bad), but in removing one track a couple ball bearings and rollers slid out. Going to use other side to figure out rebuild, unless someone has done this and can clue me in. While I'm here I'm thinking carpet replace would be a good idea, as it's tatty and an ugly color (can't be original). So what's a good source for carpets? Some kits seem crazy overpriced. Thanks to all who took the time to respond.

[4uall]

glad to hear you got the seat out

you could always just make your own

http://fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php ... lit=carpet

[sierraspider]

As far as the carpet goes, that's what I'm going to do- the forum posts plus some you tube inspiration leads me to believe I can do a bang up job of it. Really can't be rocket science. Again thanks all....