Seat Bezel Broke!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 700
Likes: 2
From: Spring Hill Florida
Seat Bezel Broke!
On my '03 drivers seat the plastic bezel that backs up the seat controls broke. There are two places where it goes into the foam and I can't figure out how to take it off to replace it. And then where do I buy one?
Any ideas?
Any ideas?
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 240
Likes: 2
From: Yangpyeong Gyeonggi-Do
there is a screw (long) towards the front of the switch panel and one behind the mechanical seat tilt handle. The handle has a spring clip in it you will have to release to get it removed. once you get it off the seat you can pop out the switch assembly. i have seen them on the auction site as well as some of the vendors. I believe I saw them on the Ecklers site and Gene @ GMParts can probably get you one. Good luck....
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
There are two phillip head screws . One is on the lower side of the seat & the other is partially hidden behind the recline lever. By moving the lever forward/backward, you will be able to see it to remove.
Once the two screws are out the lever needs to come off. There is a smakk horshoe shaped clip that must be pushed to release the lever. Then the rest that has to be removed, is pretty much exposed.
To do the things that you need to do the seat is best /much easier done w/the seat removed from the car.
To remove the seat.
Remove the front (2) plastic trim pieces covering the front two tracl nuts. Remove the front & rear track nuts. Once removed prop up front of seat track w/small object (short 4"x4") Release the two electrical connections.
Put a heavy towel/blanket over the door sill to protect from scratching & remove seat & do your work off the work bench.
Good luck.
(Opps.. pretty much what last poster said.)
Once the two screws are out the lever needs to come off. There is a smakk horshoe shaped clip that must be pushed to release the lever. Then the rest that has to be removed, is pretty much exposed.
To do the things that you need to do the seat is best /much easier done w/the seat removed from the car.
To remove the seat.
Remove the front (2) plastic trim pieces covering the front two tracl nuts. Remove the front & rear track nuts. Once removed prop up front of seat track w/small object (short 4"x4") Release the two electrical connections.
Put a heavy towel/blanket over the door sill to protect from scratching & remove seat & do your work off the work bench.
Good luck.
(Opps.. pretty much what last poster said.)
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
go to www.vetteessentials.com
They have instructions for installing customer seat covers... removing the bezel is part of the processs... complete instructions with pics.
http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...er_change.html
Why does it break.... the foam in the seat bottom is starting to deteriorate
you can buy that from gene at www.gmpartshouse.com for about $40 + shipping...
the part number varies based on which seat you have and whether or not you have the memory option.
They have instructions for installing customer seat covers... removing the bezel is part of the processs... complete instructions with pics.
http://www.vetteessentials.com/instr...er_change.html
Why does it break.... the foam in the seat bottom is starting to deteriorate
you can buy that from gene at www.gmpartshouse.com for about $40 + shipping...
the part number varies based on which seat you have and whether or not you have the memory option.
Last edited by rws.1; Apr 17, 2011 at 08:10 AM.
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Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
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From: South Salem NY
www.gmpartshouse.com part # 1245-5426 $13.88 + shipping
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
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From: Fords, NJ
Pictures of the bezel are about 1/2 down in the thread.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...cs-galore.html
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
I got my replacement from Gene's operation also. BUT the new one had an inch or so long plastic boss or some such molded into the inside, which the old one did not have. As there was no hole in the seat for it, I cut it off with the Dremel. Then it looked just like the old one. Only slightly tricky thing was releasing the circlip behind the recline lever. I have a circlip removing tool (cheap from Advance Auto as I recall) which made it easier.
Mine's a '98, BTW - design may have changes a little over time.
Mine's a '98, BTW - design may have changes a little over time.
Last edited by jackthelad; May 15, 2016 at 11:58 AM.
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The answers above pretty much cover it - and it does seem to be easier to replace the bezel with the seat out of the car. I know it was easier for me when I did it on mine.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,152
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From: South Western Ontario
I got my replacement from Gene's operation also. BUT the new one had an inch or so long plastic boss or some such molded into the inside, which the old one did not have. As there was no hole in the seat for it, I cut it off with the Dremel. Then it looked just like the old one. Only slightly tricky thing was releasing the circlip behind the recline lever. I have a circlip removing tool (cheap from Advance Auto as I recall) which made it easier.
Mine's a '98, BTW - design may have changes a little over time.
Mine's a '98, BTW - design may have changes a little over time.
Nope, the 98 also has that pin. You should have had a hole through the cover and cushion so that pin could plug into a hole in the seat frame.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Mine is an early build car - 4th day of '98 production, so as I said, they may well have modified the design over time.
Last edited by jackthelad; May 17, 2016 at 09:01 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
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From: West Virginia
Absolutely no need to remove the seat to do this.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 2,347
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From: MI
Cruise-In VI Veteran
You may find this thread helpful.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...shion-fix.html
Cheers,
Goose
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...shion-fix.html
Cheers,
Goose