79 Seat Hinges
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
79 Seat Hinges
I am trying to purchase new seat hinges for my 79. I have been able to find new seat frames, frame rails, hinge covers, but have not been able to find seat hinges. Does anyone know who would have these?
Here is a picture of what I am looking for:
http://store6.yimg.com/I/zipproducts_1711_12815785
My 79 has reclining seat syndrome on the driver's side and the hinges need to be replaced. I have tightened every screw and bolt, and the seat still leans back to far.
[Modified by Andrew, 12:15 PM 11/14/2002]
Here is a picture of what I am looking for:
http://store6.yimg.com/I/zipproducts_1711_12815785
My 79 has reclining seat syndrome on the driver's side and the hinges need to be replaced. I have tightened every screw and bolt, and the seat still leans back to far.
[Modified by Andrew, 12:15 PM 11/14/2002]
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
From: Twin Lake MI
Re: 79 Seat Hinges (Andrew)
Both my seats were really laid back so I took out the rear bolt on each seat and
got a 2 inch piece of unistrut 1 inch thick; thats formed uchannel with holes
used in some construction and hanging fixtures in factories, and with longer bolts
to go thru floor raised the seats up an inch in the rear. It cured the problem.
I'm only 5'7" so height wasn't an issue. My seats are now setting at a better
angle. Worked for me!! Steve
got a 2 inch piece of unistrut 1 inch thick; thats formed uchannel with holes
used in some construction and hanging fixtures in factories, and with longer bolts
to go thru floor raised the seats up an inch in the rear. It cured the problem.
I'm only 5'7" so height wasn't an issue. My seats are now setting at a better
angle. Worked for me!! Steve
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
Re: 79 Seat Hinges (s79vette)
:cheers: Thanks for the advise, but I am 6'2" and my head just shaves the T-tops, which are glass, so I don't want to raise the bottom portion of the seat. I just want to get the top portion pushed forward, so it is in the same position/angle that the passenger seat is. I thought about swapping the tow seats, but then my wife would not be happy. She has a hard time seeing out of the car anyway.
From not getting any responses, I assume that nobody carries these hinges. Does anyone have any advise on how to fabricate these hinges easily?
From not getting any responses, I assume that nobody carries these hinges. Does anyone have any advise on how to fabricate these hinges easily?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 114
From: St. Louis Mo
Re: 79 Seat Hinges (Andrew)
You probably wont be able to find any new hinges (I looked everywhere for my 79). Had a problem with the seat not wanting to release. You may want to try Gary Gruhala, I bought some used ones from him. Be careful they are marked for left and right........LT
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Fullerton CA
Re: 79 Seat Hinges (Andrew)
Andrew,
As the others have stated, you'll have a tough time finding new hinges. Already been down that road a few years ago. Buttttttt . . . there's a solution. Go ahead and remove both hinges from the affected seat. Inspect them. You'll see that they have and arm & stop setup in them. When you push the seatback into the upright position, the arm contacts the stop, and that's what maintains its proper position. Over the years the hinges have loosened up, and the arm can be forced past the stop when you put pressure on it (that's the "pop" you year when you lean back). Not to fear. The hinge pivot is held together by a circle clip. Grab a set of circle clip pliers, and new circle clips, at your local parts store, and disassemble the hinge. Now you'll want to install a washer on the pivot that will force, and maintain, the arm/stop into position. Then simply reassemble the hinge and insert a new circle clip. This is really pretty easy, and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about when you pull the hinges off the seats. While you're at it, not a bad time to touch up the seat buckets with some new dye.
Good luck,
Tom
As the others have stated, you'll have a tough time finding new hinges. Already been down that road a few years ago. Buttttttt . . . there's a solution. Go ahead and remove both hinges from the affected seat. Inspect them. You'll see that they have and arm & stop setup in them. When you push the seatback into the upright position, the arm contacts the stop, and that's what maintains its proper position. Over the years the hinges have loosened up, and the arm can be forced past the stop when you put pressure on it (that's the "pop" you year when you lean back). Not to fear. The hinge pivot is held together by a circle clip. Grab a set of circle clip pliers, and new circle clips, at your local parts store, and disassemble the hinge. Now you'll want to install a washer on the pivot that will force, and maintain, the arm/stop into position. Then simply reassemble the hinge and insert a new circle clip. This is really pretty easy, and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about when you pull the hinges off the seats. While you're at it, not a bad time to touch up the seat buckets with some new dye.
Good luck,
Tom
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
Re: 79 Seat Hinges (ltinnell)
LT, if you don't mind me asking, what did Gary charge for the hinges? I just talked to a local steel fabricator and showed him what the hinges looked like. He said that he could make me a set of new hinges, but it is VERY, VERY expense. He said around $150.00 per side. Also, how would I get in contact with Gary?
Thanks for your help!!
Thanks for your help!!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
Re: 79 Seat Hinges (av8vito)
Tom,
That is exactly my problem. I hear that "pop" quite a bit. I will try this before pursing purchasing a new fabricated set or a used set.
I can see that this project will turn into one of those "while I'm at it" jobs. I do need to dye the back of the seats and get some new carpet inserts for the back.
That is exactly my problem. I hear that "pop" quite a bit. I will try this before pursing purchasing a new fabricated set or a used set.
I can see that this project will turn into one of those "while I'm at it" jobs. I do need to dye the back of the seats and get some new carpet inserts for the back.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,507
Likes: 114
From: St. Louis Mo
Re: 79 Seat Hinges (Andrew)
Andrew
Garys # is 636-586-3909 and his fax is 636-337-2255, I think I paid him $30 for a hinge but if you need more than one, maybe he will work with you. Have had very good luck with him in the past.....LT
Garys # is 636-586-3909 and his fax is 636-337-2255, I think I paid him $30 for a hinge but if you need more than one, maybe he will work with you. Have had very good luck with him in the past.....LT
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Fullerton CA
Re: 79 Seat Hinges (Andrew)
Andrew,
Yeah, it's definitely a "while I'm at it" type gig. I ended up repainting the buckets, and recovering the seats (actually not that hard a job. I'm an amateur and my seats came out decent). Watch yourself though, or you'll end up like I did. When all was said and done I repaired/replaced my entire interior. Looks great now; enjoyed the work; but definitely cost a few ducets.
Tom
Yeah, it's definitely a "while I'm at it" type gig. I ended up repainting the buckets, and recovering the seats (actually not that hard a job. I'm an amateur and my seats came out decent). Watch yourself though, or you'll end up like I did. When all was said and done I repaired/replaced my entire interior. Looks great now; enjoyed the work; but definitely cost a few ducets.
Tom
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 13,858
Likes: 0
From: A 12/8 man in a 4/4 world
Re: 79 Seat Hinges (Andrew)
Great question!
this is one of my winter projects.
great tips. sounds pretty easy. Is it worth the effort to remove the seat from the car?
[Modified by Got79Fever, 9:55 AM 11/16/2002]
this is one of my winter projects.
great tips. sounds pretty easy. Is it worth the effort to remove the seat from the car?
[Modified by Got79Fever, 9:55 AM 11/16/2002]
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,601
Likes: 52
From: Jefferson City MO
Re: 79 Seat Hinges (av8vito)
:cheers: to Tom!!! My hinges are fixed. After getting the seat out and taking the hinges off, I could see the problem. The circle clip was missing and the bolt that holds the hinges together actually fell out while taking the seat out. After getting a new washer and circle clip, the seats are as solid as a rock. But, I did find that Bubba struck. The side that was missing the circle clip, lower seat casing was badly cracked where the bottom screw goes. Bubba "manufactured" a piece of steal and put bolts in it through the seat. This would have been OK if he had lined everything up correctly. Now the seat sits as a slight angle. I guess I am going to have to purchase a new seat bottom.
Oh, I almost forgot, I did dye the seat back and it looks really nice!!
If anyone has the reclining seat syndrome, this is an easy fix and well worth the effort!!
Oh, I almost forgot, I did dye the seat back and it looks really nice!!
If anyone has the reclining seat syndrome, this is an easy fix and well worth the effort!!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: 79 Seat Hinges (av8vito)
av8vito: Suggest you place your seat hinge 'fix' in the tech tips section, it's a good piece, and will be available for other forum users for a long time if you put it in the tech tips section.
