dr seat jambed; can't get rear inside torx bolt out... help!

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Mark Smith

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former owner of my Exp somehow jammed the front driver's seat so that it no long moves fore or aft... trying to remove it to inspect, but I can't the last of the four floor mounting torx bolts out... inner rear bolt is right under the seat track so that I can't get my torx socket tool on it.

any ideas?

thanks,Mark
 

docraymund

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Check for any snagged cloth or the like along the rail. Otherwise reinstall the bolts, lube the rail and have an assistant push the seat while you move the switch forward.
 

ExplorerTom

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short of a saw to cut the legs off the seat, no.

Might be time to get a new seat base from a junkyard.
 

tcwaltz

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former owner of my Exp somehow jammed the front driver's seat so that it no long moves fore or aft... trying to remove it to inspect, but I can't the last of the four floor mounting torx bolts out... inner rear bolt is right under the seat track so that I can't get my torx socket tool on it.

any ideas?

thanks,Mark


You may actually be able to remove the 4- 13mm bolts that hold the base onto the seat. I'd take the trim off the side to give you more access. You'll have a push in fastener on the back. on the front there is a small plastic braket with two phillips screws. A stubby should work. From there you'll need to remove the screw holding the seat back tilt handle, then remove the two other phillips screws and the lumbar knob if you have one. After that is off you'll have pretty easy access to the 13"mm bolts holding the seat on. Keep mind that the wire for the seat belt is still connected as well as the lumbar cable so be careful when you set it back. Once the seat is off you should be able to get the bolts out and see why its jammed. If I recall there is a gear with teeth down the left side

bolts.jpg
 

tcwaltz

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My guess is the seat is back most of the way, because of the bar on the chassis is blocks access to the bolts in the back and there isn't enough clearance to get a ratchet in there. There is enough room to get a ratchet on the 13mm socket holding the seat to the frame.
 
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Mark Smith

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the seat is back far enough for the inboard rear torx bolt head to be covered; used vice grips to get the outboard one loose and out, but the inboard one sits at a slight angle, so that fact plus being covered by the track render it nigh impossible to get a tool on. maybe removing the seat from the frame is the way to go...
thanks again for the suggestions.
 

Paul727

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Hi, just joined up and this is my first ever post on a forum!
I just bought an '02 and the driver's seat was jammed so I just did this exact job.
Take off the side panel including the lumbar knob.
Undo the seat from the frame.
Remove the motors (the long chrome screws.
Use the drive shaft from one of the motors and mount it in the chuck of a power screwdriver.
Insert the drive shaft into the center motor mount on the seat chassis and GENTLY use the screwdriver to move the chassis along the rail.
Now you will be able to remove the chassis from the vehicle for replacement or repair.
Once you have completed your task you can test everything before remounting the seat.
Sorry this was so "wordy" but I wish you luck.
 
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