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Seat Bezel Broke!

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Old Apr 16, 2011 | 04:41 AM
  #1  
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Default 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?
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Old Apr 16, 2011 | 07:44 AM
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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....
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Old Apr 16, 2011 | 07:53 AM
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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.)
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Old Apr 16, 2011 | 08:50 AM
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Is this a common problem? The bezel on my '03 is also broken.
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Old Apr 17, 2011 | 07:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Atok
Is this a common problem? The bezel on my '03 is also broken.
My wife says it's from my fat azz!
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Old Apr 17, 2011 | 08:02 AM
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www.gmpartshouse.com part # 1245-5426 $13.88 + shipping
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Old Apr 17, 2011 | 08:08 AM
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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.

Last edited by rws.1; Apr 17, 2011 at 08:10 AM.
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Old Apr 17, 2011 | 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by Pres712
My wife says it's from my fat azz!
she is correct ... sort of..... the foam deteriorates over time because of the repetitive weight.....
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Old May 14, 2016 | 10:52 PM
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Originally Posted by rws.1
www.gmpartshouse.com part # 1245-5426 $13.88 + shipping
I need to replace my bezel. Drivers power sport seat. Is this the part for that?
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Old May 15, 2016 | 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by Ducati Guy
I need to replace my bezel. Drivers power sport seat. Is this the part for that?
Yes
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Old May 15, 2016 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by Pres712
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?
In this tread I posted you'll see exactly how to remove the bezel.
Pictures of the bezel are about 1/2 down in the thread.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...cs-galore.html
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Old May 15, 2016 | 11:57 AM
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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.

Last edited by jackthelad; May 15, 2016 at 11:58 AM.
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Old May 15, 2016 | 08:21 PM
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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.
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Old May 15, 2016 | 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted by jackthelad
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.

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.
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Old May 15, 2016 | 10:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Ducati Guy
I need to replace my bezel. Drivers power sport seat. Is this the part for that?
The price jumped to $39!!!!!
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Old May 17, 2016 | 08:57 AM
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Originally Posted by lionelhutz
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.
Sorry, but there was/is no hole through the cover and the cushion, and the bezel that came off did not have that pin molded in.

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.
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Old May 17, 2016 | 12:40 PM
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Well, my 98 does have the pin and hole, and it's the same p/n for the bezel all years....
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Old May 17, 2016 | 03:26 PM
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Originally Posted by lionelhutz
Well, my 98 does have the pin and hole, and it's the same p/n for the bezel all years....
Does not change the fact that my car is not like that. No hole in the seat for a pin to go through and no pin on the original part - which, BTW had a number molded into it different from the replacement part molded number.

Absolutely no need to remove the seat to do this.
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Old May 17, 2016 | 03:37 PM
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If the reason why these bezels are breaking ( mine is broken to ) is the seat foam is breaking down, won't a new one just break as well?
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Old May 17, 2016 | 06:44 PM
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You may find this thread helpful.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...shion-fix.html

Cheers,
Goose
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