power seat problem
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Mukilteo WA
power seat problem
My 87 passenger seat mechanism has quit working. The motor runs but does not drive to the rear, it is in the forward position. Is it possible to manually move the seat to the rear and leave alone? Any ideas other than replacing the mechanism.
Paul in Seattle :flag
Paul in Seattle :flag
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 983
Likes: 1
From: Bergen County NJ
Re: power seat problem (87convpaul)
Paul,
I went through this last year with the driver's seat mechanism. The culprit is usually that aluminum gearbox/transmission, which is IMHO, not designed robustly enough. The gears inside are spaced apart by a molded plastic piece which eventually cracks and allows the gears to misalign. The gear teeth start to wear faster and eventually get stripped. I bought a couple of busted seat track mechanisms, hoping to scavenge anough good parts to assemble one good one, but they were all similarly broken. Ultimately I bough a used seat track mechanism from a forum member, which has worked well so far.
BTW, I figured that GM probably used this part in other cars, but I figured wrong - this looks to be a Corvette part only.
I went through this last year with the driver's seat mechanism. The culprit is usually that aluminum gearbox/transmission, which is IMHO, not designed robustly enough. The gears inside are spaced apart by a molded plastic piece which eventually cracks and allows the gears to misalign. The gear teeth start to wear faster and eventually get stripped. I bought a couple of busted seat track mechanisms, hoping to scavenge anough good parts to assemble one good one, but they were all similarly broken. Ultimately I bough a used seat track mechanism from a forum member, which has worked well so far.
BTW, I figured that GM probably used this part in other cars, but I figured wrong - this looks to be a Corvette part only.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: power seat problem (87convpaul)
You may be able to use body weight to push the seat back.
I finally bought the bullet and got a new track from Contemporary Corvette for my passenger side. You might be amazed what you find when you pull the seats...and you can give the carpet a good cleaning.
I finally bought the bullet and got a new track from Contemporary Corvette for my passenger side. You might be amazed what you find when you pull the seats...and you can give the carpet a good cleaning.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 44,772
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From: 63.8% of all statistics are made up on the spot.
St. Jude Donor '08-'10
Re: power seat problem (87convpaul)
sometimes you can apply a little pressure on the drive shaft while it is spinning and the gears will align and allow it to move. Of course this is to set the position before you get in to drive. :D
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 34,062
Likes: 4
From: Evans, GA
Re: power seat problem (87convpaul)
When the driver's seat on my 96 refused to raise, I removes the seat assembly and found a dime trapped in the gear box. The dime was severely bent and the gearbox was toothless in one place. Replaced the track under warranty.
