Later today I'll be pulling out the seats on the 85 to replace the carpeting. Looks pretty basic but thought I'd see if there is anything I need to look out for.

 

Most just remove the two plastic push pins that hold the plastic covers on the front of the seat track (you can use a flat bladed screwdriver), then take the four bolts out where the seat track connects to the body and remove the entire seat/track assembly as one. It makes for a bulky, heavy assembly with that nasty metal track sticking out where it can scratch anything it comes in contact with. Some take off the roof to give more space to maneuver the seat/track assembly out.

I have pulled my seats multiple times (seat covers, new carpet, etc.) and I find it a lot easier and safer to first remove the lower seat pad (there is a wire clip on the front of the plastic seat frame you release and then you can lift the lower pad right out), remove four bolts that attach the seat frame to the track, and then remove the seat assembly. The seat assembly alone is pretty light and the plastic shell is unapt to do much harm if you bump anything. Its removal will then expose the seat track that is now fully accessible to remove the cover caps, unhook the wiring and remove the track bolts. The seat track is compact, though heavy if its an electric one, and can be removed easily. This approach involves an extra step, but is the one I greatly prefer and always use.

 

Don't twist off a bolt like I did..

Still dont know how Im gonna fix that one

 

Pretty easy.

Use a small screwdriver to back out the plastic rivets on the front track covers, then pull them out by hand.


The wire harness is a little tricky because there's a damn plastic push-nut you have to remove from the harness before you can lift the seat out.


I always just take the entire seat out at once, no need to disassemble. It may be a good time to switch the leather between sides to even out the wear.

 

I'd look out for any loose change.
(Hey, gas is back up to $2.85/gal for premium here...I need all the money I can find!)

Larry
code5coupe

 

I have a new seat track and was debating whether I should do it myself or give it to my mechanic. Thanks for writing this. I'm gonna try it myself.

 

Thanks for the tips, appreciate it.

 

Here are a couple of other little tips I've found to make removing the seat pad an almost effortless task. The wire clip that secures the seat pad to the frame latches rather tightly. Unlatching it is easiest if you use the edge of the flat end of a 1/2 inch or so plastic or wood dowel (e.g., section of broom handle, etc.). This will allow you to push almost straight down on the clip where-upon the wire clip will disengage with no concern about marring the plastic seat frame. If you have strong fingers, you can do it by hand, but the dowel makes it easy.

Reinstalling the clip also requires some strength if you do it by hand. A way to make this a piece of cake is to use 18 inches or so of flat nylon or cotton webbing that is 1/2 to 1-1/2 inches wide. Run the webbing around the wire latch and under and around the front of the seat frame. Put the seat pad in place, pull up on both ends of the webbing from the front of the seat frame and the clip will slip up and right into place. Then just pull on one end of the webbing and the webbing will slide right out of there. I've done this so many times now, I've just set aside a piece of cotton webbing just for this task.

This approach makes removing the seats so easy, I don't mind taking them out when doing major interior cleaning or other interior tasks.

One other quick comment on the seat tracks. Removing the nuts that hold them will usually require a medium to deep walled socket. I don't remember the exact size, but can say that a six sided fractional size socket of comparable size works fine as an adequate substitute for the metric size.