Rocking Seats! Ughh!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,878
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From: EP Texas
St. Jude Contributor
Rocking Seats! Ughh!
This is getting annoying! Why can't GM fix things instead of the same issue still being there year after year after year! I was windering if anyone tried adjusting/expaning the seat tracks a little, or wedging something in their yet still be able to adjust the power seat?
My car is out of warrenty and paying $800 plus for it to just happen again makes no sense!
My car is out of warrenty and paying $800 plus for it to just happen again makes no sense!
Pro
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 514
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg MD
Re: Rocking Seats! Ughh! (TexCorvette)
I'd like to know the same thing. I read one where someone put a section of two-by-four behind the seat, then put the seat back hard against it, but that doesn't allow you to use the power seat properly.
Anyone taken the mechanism apart and found out exactly what the problem is?
Anyone taken the mechanism apart and found out exactly what the problem is?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 773
Likes: 203
From: California
Re: Rocking Seats! Ughh! (TenaciousD)
I did the 2x4 you refer to. Actually a 4x4. It worked great. The seat is adjusted to me. I can still adjust up and down just not forward and back. Bottom line is it works for pennies. Try it until a better home made fix comes out. It beats the rocking.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 15,707
Likes: 1
From: Lynnfield MA
Cruise-In II Veteran
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Re: Rocking Seats! Ughh! (TexCorvette)
I don't think that the parts cost really that much so you might want to consider doing the fix yourself and save a boat-of coin!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,878
Likes: 0
From: EP Texas
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Rocking Seats! Ughh! (Smoke-N-Shot)
I'm thinking if a adjust the track or wedge something to make it tighter but not soo tight that the power seat won't work? I guess its just me, but putting a 2x4 in me vette to stop the problem makes me hate it the issue more in first place. I mean if this was a pinto to get me to work, ok.
[Modified by TexCorvette, 4:20 PM 4/22/2002]
[Modified by TexCorvette, 4:20 PM 4/22/2002]
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,878
Likes: 0
From: EP Texas
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Rocking Seats! Ughh! (TexCorvette)
Still looking into this, hope to have more insight here. Will be taking the seats out this weekend. Can anyone explain what causes the play in the track that makes it slide back and forth?
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Cruising
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Re: Rocking Seats! Ughh! (steve1173)
Had the same problem.....would "pop" out of the track (forward back),
and you could feel it in your back.
Yeah...the cost on this was phenominal (good thing it is still under warranty).
I didn't see a bullitin on this - it is a known issue that was fixed?
Would be cool to know this problem will not happen again.
Cheers.
- Steve
and you could feel it in your back.
Yeah...the cost on this was phenominal (good thing it is still under warranty).
I didn't see a bullitin on this - it is a known issue that was fixed?
Would be cool to know this problem will not happen again.
Cheers.
- Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Re: Rocking Seats! Ughh! (TexCorvette)
This is getting annoying! Why can't GM fix things instead of the same issue still being there year after year after year! I was windering if anyone tried adjusting/expaning the seat tracks a little, or wedging something in their yet still be able to adjust the power seat?
My car is out of warrenty and paying $800 plus for it to just happen again makes no sense!
My car is out of warrenty and paying $800 plus for it to just happen again makes no sense!
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 133
Likes: 2
From: Winsdor ON
Re: Rocking Seats! Ughh! (TexCorvette)
Glad to see somebody is looking to find the root problem rather than just replace the whole thing. My seat just has a bit of play, so I am not ready to rip it apart yet. But I'm interested in what you find.
As I see it, there are three areas where the play can originate:
1) the motor shaft moving axially, allowing the leadscrew to back-drive
2) excessive clearance between the leadscrew and the nut.
3) play between the upper and lower tracks.
The first two causes would only result in back and forth movement of the seat rather than rocking ---however, that is what my seat feels like, but its hard to tell.
If its the third problem, I think pulling the tracks apart and trying to sqeeze one to get the preload back would be tough to do accurately. There are going to be end stops on the tracks to keep them from coming apart --- possibly swaged in, but perhaps just a rivet. Looks like the tracks are guided by ball bearings. If you were real lucky, you might find ***** at an industrial supply house just a few thousanths of an inch bigger to get rid of the play. Putting the tracks back together would be a lot of fun too.
As I see it, there are three areas where the play can originate:
1) the motor shaft moving axially, allowing the leadscrew to back-drive
2) excessive clearance between the leadscrew and the nut.
3) play between the upper and lower tracks.
The first two causes would only result in back and forth movement of the seat rather than rocking ---however, that is what my seat feels like, but its hard to tell.
If its the third problem, I think pulling the tracks apart and trying to sqeeze one to get the preload back would be tough to do accurately. There are going to be end stops on the tracks to keep them from coming apart --- possibly swaged in, but perhaps just a rivet. Looks like the tracks are guided by ball bearings. If you were real lucky, you might find ***** at an industrial supply house just a few thousanths of an inch bigger to get rid of the play. Putting the tracks back together would be a lot of fun too.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,878
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From: EP Texas
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Rocking Seats! Ughh! (SPS)
Anymore luck on this? None here yet :( This is such a stupid issue, really makes the car feel cheap. :smash: Has anyone found out exactly why it does this?
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Re: Rocking Seats! Ughh! (TexCorvette)
No.....but I did notice the recall was performed on my car
awhile ago.
Then the problem came back.
And you know what - it came back again. My seat is rocking.
(3rd time's the charm?)
Back to the shop.
- Steve
awhile ago.
Then the problem came back.
And you know what - it came back again. My seat is rocking.
(3rd time's the charm?)
Back to the shop.
- Steve
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,878
Likes: 0
From: EP Texas
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Rocking Seats! Ughh! (Bloody-Stump)
See, thats what I ,mean, its bad enough if the fix is around $800, but then it comes back! If someone wanted that much, and the problem would go away for good, I'd do it!! I hope we fugure this out, too many C5 owners with this issue.
[Modified by TexCorvette, 11:56 PM 4/29/2002]
[Modified by TexCorvette, 11:56 PM 4/29/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,270
Likes: 26
From: Winchester VA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: Rocking Seats! Ughh! (TexCorvette)
You can try to get it fixed under a program known as goodwill. The service manager at a dealership can approve a repair, that GM will help pay for, for up to 60K miles. You will be asked to participate, a deductible if you will, and pay a part of the cost. Usually in the $50-$200 range. This is much easier to get if you have an established relationship with a dealer, if not, call around a bit. It helps that this a known problem, with a TSB. Hope it works out.
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Charlotte NC
Re: Rocking Seats! Ughh! (TexCorvette)
I'd just be happy to have my car back at this point. :-)
Was in the shop from the 28th - 20th, and now is back in for
3 different problems as of yesterday.
Next time I buy a car that gives you a courtesy vehicle.
Seat problem / Exhaust Vibration / Transmission? (Some rear end grinding)...
...hmmm.....2nd time that this is being fixed too.
I guess getting to drive the care 10 months out of 12 is typical.
- Steve
Was in the shop from the 28th - 20th, and now is back in for
3 different problems as of yesterday.
Next time I buy a car that gives you a courtesy vehicle.
Seat problem / Exhaust Vibration / Transmission? (Some rear end grinding)...
...hmmm.....2nd time that this is being fixed too.
I guess getting to drive the care 10 months out of 12 is typical.
- Steve