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Seat back bottom frame repair

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Old Nov 22, 2009 | 03:29 PM
  #1  
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Default Seat back bottom frame repair

My driver's seat tilts to the right quite bad. I found a part at Willcox (prt # 41646) but it is for a 70-78. Do ya think I can make it work for my 68? I need to do something and hope this will help. I'm not real good at fabricating so don't want to make my own. Is there a major difference between the 68 and 70-78 seats?



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Old Nov 22, 2009 | 03:42 PM
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If you find you can't use that one, if someone can tell me how thick a piece of metal to use I have a '68 seat bottom I can use as a template to make you one to fit.

Last edited by DZRick; Nov 22, 2009 at 04:19 PM.
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Old Nov 22, 2009 | 03:51 PM
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Originally Posted by shmoky
My driver's seat tilts to the right quite bad. I found a part at Willcox (prt # 41646) but it is for a 70-78. Do ya think I can make it work for my 68? I need to do something and hope this will help. I'm not real good at fabricating so don't want to make my own. Is there a major difference between the 68 and 70-78 seats?



shmoky
The main differeences between the 68-69 and 70-78 seats are the seat back lock mechanism and the separate headrest versus integrated headrest.

The seat back lock is on the outside edge of the 68-69 seat and depending on where you need to make your repairs could be in the way as it dominates the corner of the seat. The shape of the frame in this corner is specific to the 68-69 seats.

On the 70-78 the mechanism is in the middle of the seat and pretty easily removeable for repairs to the frame. The frame is the same shape for all of 70-77.

Have you taken the seat apart to see what is wrong?

cc
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Old Nov 22, 2009 | 06:46 PM
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I haven't taken the seat apart yet. But it does look like that may be the problem. I've tried the washer trick but no luck there (didn't think it would work anyway). Will have to look farther into after my present project.

Thanx for the info and Rick I might get back to you later in the winter.

shmoky
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Old Nov 22, 2009 | 07:08 PM
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My 71 was doing this as well.

I removed the seat / then removed the top from the bottom. This is done where the chrome hinge attaches to the lower seat. ( 2 Screws )

Then I had to cut some of the hog rings to be able to fold the cover / foam out of the way.

The seat side rails are welded at each lower corner , just outside of where the back adjustments screws are.

All we did was weld the corner back. Use a wet towel to keep heat from climbing up to the folded back seat cover / foam.


I bought no parts , just welded.


Good Luck

David
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Old Nov 22, 2009 | 08:36 PM
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you dont need to buy anyting if you have access to a hammer, anvil, and a mig welder......these seat frames just get tired and respond very well to being straightned and fixed
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Old Nov 22, 2009 | 11:26 PM
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Thanx again for the info dmayhew and bobs77vet. Doesn't sound too difficult. Will have to look into that. I have a couple of friends/family with a mig welder.

shmoky
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Old Nov 23, 2009 | 07:48 AM
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I don't know the difference but here are a couple of pics (1974) for comparison purposes.

My decision to use the $25 plates was easy as I was redoing the entire seats. A spot repair may be all you need.






Last edited by Paul L; Nov 23, 2009 at 08:05 AM.
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Old Nov 23, 2009 | 08:48 AM
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Based upon the pictures supplied by pauls74 you might be able to cut the repair plate and just weld the new piece on the right side of the seat if necessary.

It would need some modifications to work on the left side because of the locking mechanism. That's most likely why it's not listed for '68-'69 seats.

cc
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Old Nov 23, 2009 | 10:04 PM
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get some 16 ga steel and a case of beer and go visit your friend with a mig welder
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Old Nov 23, 2009 | 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted by bobs77vet
get some 16 ga steel and a case of beer and go visit your friend with a mig welder
How did you know he likes beer.

shmoky
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Old Nov 23, 2009 | 11:46 PM
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dbl post
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Old Mar 9, 2016 | 01:24 AM
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Originally Posted by shmoky
I haven't taken the seat apart yet. But it does look like that may be the problem. I've tried the washer trick but no luck there (didn't think it would work anyway). Will have to look farther into after my present project.

Thanx for the info and Rick I might get back to you later in the winter.

shmoky

The drivers seat bottom in my '71 is broken, almost near the center of the rear support.

What exactly is the 'washer trick'?

Thanks
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