Cannot reset pins on rear seat

W

Woodwind

Member
I have searched the various threads relating to rear seat problems and found the excellent article on rear seat problems. Following the information, (problem 4) I managed to free the backrest on my off side rear seat and found one pin on the seat base in the wrong (out of sync) position. Trying to reset using the method discussed in problem 2, I ended up with the other pin springing out. I am unable to reset the pins at all and wonder if I am missing something, as other members seem to have cured the problem.
I have tried, with the seat back rest folded forward, lightly pressing on the vary back of the seat whilst pulling the release handle but the pins remain out and I cannot clip the base to the floor. The handle does not seem to move much in spite of pulling quite hard.
Can I try anything else please? getting desperate to regain use of rear seat.
 
if you're out of sync, I'm guessing the pin has the springs compressed above the ball studs? Grab a large pliers or something to lever, the ball studs are backed by strong springs and you'll need some force. I reset mine with a small pilers gently pressing on the studs so the spring releases.
 
Thanks for the reply humps. You are exactly right in that the balls are on the outside of the springs as per photo from other post. StuckSeatLatch.jpeg
Just tried to press the balls in, no luck, they seem absolutely rigid. Do I push the coil spring up and then push the three balls in? Sorry I'm not quite clear on what the "large pliers" do.
 
The same happened to me and the pliers can be used to clamp across one side of the pin and one of the balls - especially with the curved portion of the pliers.

From what I recall a good dose of cussing, temper loss and subsequent unknown strength greatly helped!

Andy B
 
You probably want to try pulling the release handle at the same time pressing your pliers. When the spring is above the studs, it is meant to be seat-in-car state. The handle releases the dead locking to the ball studs so they *should* retract into the pin shaft and let the spring bounce the chair off the floor for removal. So pulling the handle and using the pliers at the same time should work.
 
Thanks again humps. I'm beginning to understand how the mechanism works now. I'm waiting for a manual on CD but your explanation helps enormously.
I'll post tomorrow to update.

Regards
Mike
 
humps said:
You probably want to try pulling the release handle at the same time pressing your pliers. When the spring is above the studs, it is meant to be seat-in-car state. The handle releases the dead locking to the ball studs so they *should* retract into the pin shaft and let the spring bounce the chair off the floor for removal. So pulling the handle and using the pliers at the same time should work.
Click to expand...

It all makes sense but I have tried again this morning to no avail. Tried powerful self grip pliers across the pin and one ball and pulled release handle at the same time. Tried on both pins but in neither case will the balls retract. When I pull the release handle, there is some movement in the pins, so there is obviously something hapening
Does the position of the seat back have anything to do with it?
 
Still struggling. Cannot get those balls to retract on either of the two pins in spite of applying as much force as possible. I've run out of ideas and still awaiting the workshop manual on CD. I can't visualise the deadlocking mechanism to understand the root cause of the problem. Thanks for the help so far, any more help greatly appreciated.
 
IIRC I took the whole seat out of the car and worked on it when it was laid flat with my weight on top (of the back of the seat). This helps to push, and subsequently lock, the seat halves together which they should be when in this configuration. There was no real 'method' involved just lots of pushing, pulling, clamping and cussing! until it finally sprang back into place.

Best of luck,

Andy B
 
andybaggies said:
IIRC I took the whole seat out of the car and worked on it when it was laid flat with my weight on top (of the back of the seat). This helps to push, and subsequently lock, the seat halves together which they should be when in this configuration. There was no real 'method' involved just lots of pushing, pulling, clamping and cussing! until it finally sprang back into place.

Best of luck,

Andy B
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice Andy.
I've had the seat right out and on the kitchen floor a few days ago but failed to get the pins to correct. If I understand you correctly the seat must be in the folded position i.e. the backrest folded down to the seat base. Is this correct? As it is at the moment, the seat backrest is free to move in any direction. Should it lock in the folded position, i.e. as you say, putting your weight on the backrest pushing the two halves together will lock it.
I think I only put a little weight on it and then only at the back above the hinges when I tried it. I followed the procedure in http://www.a2oc.net/forum/showthread...-t-Work-Thread
Quote"Solution:
The solution here is to kneel on the back of the seat as above but rather than shoving harder, pull on the release handle as though trying to remove the seat. Again, you should hear a couple of pings as the mechanism releases. It should then be possible push down and lock the seat into position."
Unfortunately didn't work for me.

I'll take the seat out again tomorrow and try your method. Thanks for bearing with me, I've only had the car a few weeks so still finding my way around it.

Thanks
Mike
 
When the seat is out of the car it should be folded up and unable to open.

As above when you kneel on the seat and pull on the Handel use all of your body weight. I.e get on top of it and then pull the Hande. You don't need to pull the Handel that hard, getting the weight on top is the important bit.

Cheers

David
 
Thank you David,

Armed with this information, I will try again tomorrow. - What a fantastic resource this forum and membership is. I'm very grateful.
Thanks
Mike
 
riverlad said:
When the seat is out of the car it should be folded up and unable to open.

As above when you kneel on the seat and pull on the Handel use all of your body weight. I.e get on top of it and then pull the Hande. You don't need to pull the Handel that hard, getting the weight on top is the important bit.

Cheers

David
Click to expand...
It worked!! Thank you so much David. I now have a 4 seat A2 again.
Everything crucially hinges on the seat being folded together and locked in that state before the pins will retract. As you say, it needs a good deal of weight on the back of the folded seat (best done out of the car) and not a great pull on the handle. The pins then obligingly click out and the seat can be subsequently locked correctly to the floor.
What a relief.

Mike
 
After the sound proofing excercise on my car (and the other bits), I also struggled to get my seats to lock into place.
Considering they had been out of the car for around 6 months and following some substantial "banging" to get them to locate, I tried some WD40 and then some light machine oil.
Well, hey, presto. Instant success. So, a good idea would be a little suirt of lube every service to keep the pins in tip-top condition and operating as they should.

blue skies
tony
 
hotstuff said:
After the sound proofing excercise on my car (and the other bits), I also struggled to get my seats to lock into place.
Considering they had been out of the car for around 6 months and following some substantial "banging" to get them to locate, I tried some WD40 and then some light machine oil.
Well, hey, presto. Instant success. So, a good idea would be a little suirt of lube every service to keep the pins in tip-top condition and operating as they should.

blue skies
tony
Click to expand...
Great stuff. Hopefully, rear seat problems will be a thing of the past.
 
I have the same issue !
Took rear seats out and popped spring underneath to open seats up to deep clean them .. Struggling to re release the spring .

So a squirt of lube and my fat mate on the top of the seat whilst it in the folded position pull handle it should work


Once again always find an answer on here
Thanks folks 👍😁
 
Think my seats must be broken. :( The squab and backrest will not lock in the folded position, even with a handy anvil to assist my 100Kg carcass. 🤨The pin resolutely refuses to retract on either of the rear seats.
 
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