Seat Question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,753
Likes: 267
Seat Question
My 2011 GS 6m (5k miles) is starting to develop a little 'play' in the driver's seat under carriage. When I take off from a stop, I can feel a small 'clunk' in the support mechanism. My '02 had this issue too, and I never tried to resolve it. But this time it's under warranty and really starting to bug me ....but I hate to turn the GM techs loose on a fix.
I suspect that ‘they all do it’ …. but I’m wondering if there are other enthusiasts as annoyed by it as me ….and if there is a proven fix.
I suspect that ‘they all do it’ …. but I’m wondering if there are other enthusiasts as annoyed by it as me ….and if there is a proven fix.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 24,992
Likes: 2,694
From: Far NW 'burbs of Chicago
St. Jude Donor '13
Our 2009 does the same thing sometimes. Dealer tech and posts here all seem to say you'll need a new seat adjuster, or whatever they call that thing your seat moves on. Expensive, and may not last forever; so you want to do it under warranty but wait until you are near the end of warranty unless it's really bugging you.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
Mine is a '12, but I assume the seat guts are identical. Mine do not feel that way at all. It'd bother the hell out of me if they did. You can start by checking the 4 nuts that secure the seat to the floor are tight.
But the difference between making tne 'clank' or not could be weight. Don't want to be insensitive and ask for your weight
, but I'm pretty light at 155#, so that could be the reason I don't experience the problem. And yes, these seats are famous for being crappy 
. Good luck.
But the difference between making tne 'clank' or not could be weight. Don't want to be insensitive and ask for your weight
, but I'm pretty light at 155#, so that could be the reason I don't experience the problem. And yes, these seats are famous for being crappy . Good luck.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,753
Likes: 267
I'm 175lbs so not significanly heavier. I should have it checked out, but really hate the thought of the dealer messing with it. I've got 18 months left on the warranty so have so time to decide what to do.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,476
Likes: 711
From: Sausalito CA
I too have heard it is the seat adjustor same as Gearhead Jim above.
Must replace.
C5 Vettes had this issue. Termed "Rocking Seat". Do a search in that forum as there are many posts some with DIY fix attemps.
Must replace.
C5 Vettes had this issue. Termed "Rocking Seat". Do a search in that forum as there are many posts some with DIY fix attemps.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,029
Likes: 9,782
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
It is a common issue and like the C5s can happen on a replacement seat track as well. Get it fixed now. You are half way through the warranty so if it happens again you may catch the 2nd replacement at the end of the warranty and get two covered under warranty instead of one and paying for the other. The tracks aren't cheap, even used ones are several hundred dollars. Don't worry about the mechanics working on the car they know how to protect the entry into the car so it doesn't get damaged as the seat is removed and reinstalled.
Bill
Bill
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,753
Likes: 267
Does anyone know if the C6 issue is the same as the problem on the C5? I had an '02 .... and the problem developing on the '11 'feels' the same as what I experienced on the other car. I would rather understand exactly what the problem is and fix it myself as opposed to replacing the seat frame without knowing exactly what is causing the unwanted motion.
One option would be to have the dealer do the repair, then examine the defective mechanism to determine where the problem is, in case I need to repair later down the road.
One option would be to have the dealer do the repair, then examine the defective mechanism to determine where the problem is, in case I need to repair later down the road.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,999
Likes: 200
From: Bay Area Ca.
I have same problem with my 08. I just lower the seat till the movement stops, which is just a tad above total deflate.
This position sets me down in the car anyway which I prefer.
Easy fix to a chronic design flaw.
This position sets me down in the car anyway which I prefer.
Easy fix to a chronic design flaw.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,694
Likes: 106
That's probably why I don't have any issues then . Always drive with the seat all the way down, front and rear. But not all the way back, so I can fully depress the clutch pedal if needed. And rest my left foot on the dead pedal. Good luck OP. And yes, I'd do the same. Try to figure out what the problem is, and try to fix it myself. I simply wouldn't trust ANY dealer not scratching something on the car during that repair. I could bet my house something would get scratched if car is inspected thoroughly (like some of us do ).
. Always drive with the seat all the way down, front and rear. But not all the way back, so I can fully depress the clutch pedal if needed. And rest my left foot on the dead pedal. Good luck OP. And yes, I'd do the same. Try to figure out what the problem is, and try to fix it myself. I simply wouldn't trust ANY dealer not scratching something on the car during that repair. I could bet my house something would get scratched if car is inspected thoroughly (like some of us do ).
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 82
From: Tumwater, WA
why have a warranty if you are afraid to use it? I know you cant buy without it but it there so use it. You are paying for it beleive me.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,753
Likes: 267
Why replace the frame with another that is exactly the same only to have the same prolem in another 5k miles? I'd use the warranty if I was confident it would stay fixed. But I would rather know what the specific problem is first (worn bushing, some rubber spacer, etc) before I have the whole mechanism swapped out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,063
Likes: 82
From: Tumwater, WA
Why replace the frame with another that is exactly the same only to have the same prolem in another 5k miles? I'd use the warranty if I was confident it would stay fixed. But I would rather know what the specific problem is first (worn bushing, some rubber spacer, etc) before I have the whole mechanism swapped out.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,753
Likes: 267
I stuck my head under the front of the seat and now have better sense of what the problem is. There is a bellcrank mechanism that controls the seat height at the front. One end of the crank is attached to a link that is attached to the seat. An actuator shaft rotates the crank to raise and lower the front of the seat. I can clearly see that the actuating rod that attached to the other end of the bellcrank has some play in it. The problem could very well be the same as the rubber spacer problem that plagued C5's.