Standard seat recline mechanism

Thin bits of metal and bright blue light. Including glass & trim.

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

User avatar
T25Convert
Registered user
Posts: 402
Joined: 20 Jun 2009, 09:27
80-90 Mem No: 7819
Location: Chester

Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by T25Convert »

For long and boring reasons I'd like top be able to get my standard seats to recline further forwards and backwards.

Before I start stripping down the seats to investigate what makes the seat stop and the most forward and rearward setting, do we have any experts on the recline mechanism?

Might save me some wasted time if its really not feasible!

Been looking at Chrysler grand voyager second row seats (as per the thread on the Samba) but would rather stick with the seats I have if I can....
RIP - George - 1.9DG '85 AutoSleeper Trident - rusted away

George Second - 1.9DG '89 Caravelle

TheDocmeister
Registered user
Posts: 104
Joined: 04 Jun 2016, 13:18
80-90 Mem No: 15421
Location: Glasgow

Re: Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by TheDocmeister »

Just found this and thought of you :lol:

[url]https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewt ... 238428[url]

There's a pic on the 6th post that might help give you an idea. Apologies if the link doesn't do the blue clicky thing, I'm on my daughter's tablet...
1982 2.0 Aircooled CI Autohomes Kamper

User avatar
T25Convert
Registered user
Posts: 402
Joined: 20 Jun 2009, 09:27
80-90 Mem No: 7819
Location: Chester

Re: Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by T25Convert »

Thanks for that I will have a read.

I was also taken by the dodge caravan seats (same as the chysler grand voyager in the UK) that a group of them on the Samba were installing.....
RIP - George - 1.9DG '85 AutoSleeper Trident - rusted away

George Second - 1.9DG '89 Caravelle

User avatar
Aidan
Trader
Posts: 6522
Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 19:21
80-90 Mem No: 742
Location: Llanfyllin, mid Wales : )
Contact:

Re: Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by Aidan »

the original seats have very limited tilt options, just 3 or is it 4 positions which aren't very incrementally different

Florence the Komet
Registered user
Posts: 48
Joined: 03 Apr 2017, 17:14
80-90 Mem No: 15792
Location: Oxford

Re: Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by Florence the Komet »

Can anyone point me to guidance for fixing a defunct tilt/recline mechanism?

I don’t know if there was variance between the styles but these are I believe early caravelle captains seat (non-adjustable arm rests).

I would have thought this would have come up before but this thread is the closest I’ve found. The above samba link is the only place I’ve found a pic of the mechanism, but it’s not enough detail re repairing the recliner to give me confidence to take the thing apart.

Problem: The recliner latch often does not engage when you pull it: the latch moves, but most of the time does not recline the seat back. Is it possible something just needs a clean/grease? Also, there is an annoying movement to the seat back, in that it has about an inch of travel in the backrest, regardless of whether the lever is depressed.

Does this sound familiar to anyone?!

Thanks all :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
1989 WBX Petrol 2.1 DJ 5-speed

multisi
Registered user
Posts: 1725
Joined: 03 Apr 2016, 12:01
80-90 Mem No: 12
Location: jersey

Re: Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by multisi »

Are you saying both front seats have this problem ?
1992 red lle 2.2 subaru 1990 rhd caravelle 2.2 subaru 1986 california import vanagon

Florence the Komet
Registered user
Posts: 48
Joined: 03 Apr 2017, 17:14
80-90 Mem No: 15792
Location: Oxford

Re: Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by Florence the Komet »

No, sorry this is just a fault with the driver’s side seat. These are my second pair of seats and I only have this issue with this one seat: the back rest has acquired quite a bit of (forward-backward) travel/play in it, and the lever to operate the recline function hardly ever engages.
Any idea of a fix?!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
1989 WBX Petrol 2.1 DJ 5-speed

multisi
Registered user
Posts: 1725
Joined: 03 Apr 2016, 12:01
80-90 Mem No: 12
Location: jersey

Re: Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by multisi »

Take the left side black plastic cover off to check the clamp near the bottom is in place first. Would be best to take the seat apart if you cant see anything out of place,use the passenger seat for a drivers seat while you are working on the drivers.
1992 red lle 2.2 subaru 1990 rhd caravelle 2.2 subaru 1986 california import vanagon

davidoft1
Trader
Posts: 2579
Joined: 27 May 2009, 18:56
80-90 Mem No: 16628
Location: hayling island

Re: Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by davidoft1 »

Florence the Komet wrote: 18 Jan 2022, 09:14 No, sorry this is just a fault with the driver’s side seat. These are my second pair of seats and I only have this issue with this one seat: the back rest has acquired quite a bit of (forward-backward) travel/play in it, and the lever to operate the recline function hardly ever engages.
Any idea of a fix?!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
the recline latch is spring loaded and pivots, check the spring is in place and not stretched and the latch is free
 

davidoft1
Trader
Posts: 2579
Joined: 27 May 2009, 18:56
80-90 Mem No: 16628
Location: hayling island

Re: Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by davidoft1 »

T25Convert wrote: 11 Apr 2019, 10:42 For long and boring reasons I'd like top be able to get my standard seats to recline further forwards and backwards.

Before I start stripping down the seats to investigate what makes the seat stop and the most forward and rearward setting, do we have any experts on the recline mechanism?

Might save me some wasted time if its really not feasible!

Been looking at Chrysler grand voyager second row seats (as per the thread on the Samba) but would rather stick with the seats I have if I can....
the forward and back recline is limited by the seat side part of the mechanism, you would have to modify it to get further adjustment , i think you would get more 
 

Florence the Komet
Registered user
Posts: 48
Joined: 03 Apr 2017, 17:14
80-90 Mem No: 15792
Location: Oxford

Re: Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by Florence the Komet »

davidoft1 wrote:
Florence the Komet wrote: 18 Jan 2022, 09:14 No, sorry this is just a fault with the driver’s side seat. These are my second pair of seats and I only have this issue with this one seat: the back rest has acquired quite a bit of (forward-backward) travel/play in it, and the lever to operate the recline function hardly ever engages.
Any idea of a fix?!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
the recline latch is spring loaded and pivots, check the spring is in place and not stretched and the latch is free
 
Makes sense, thanks David. Yes ok that sounds like something I can try take apart and at least try diagnose… I may be back with photos!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
1989 WBX Petrol 2.1 DJ 5-speed

Florence the Komet
Registered user
Posts: 48
Joined: 03 Apr 2017, 17:14
80-90 Mem No: 15792
Location: Oxford

Re: Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by Florence the Komet »

Update #1: I can indeed see the spring, which appears to be attached at both ends, but can’t get the side plate off for a good look yet as I need a larger Alan key…
Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
1989 WBX Petrol 2.1 DJ 5-speed

Florence the Komet
Registered user
Posts: 48
Joined: 03 Apr 2017, 17:14
80-90 Mem No: 15792
Location: Oxford

Re: Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by Florence the Komet »

A possible culprit for the annoying fore -aft backrest travel could be the bolt that I can see as per pic - there’s a silver bolt on both sides of the seat, and I can see that they are lose and slide up and down when the backrest slips. To tighten I’ll need to first get the side plate off. Are these bolts a legit part of this mechanism? They look like a homemade fix that’s worked loose…
Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
1989 WBX Petrol 2.1 DJ 5-speed

davidoft1
Trader
Posts: 2579
Joined: 27 May 2009, 18:56
80-90 Mem No: 16628
Location: hayling island

Re: Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by davidoft1 »

Florence the Komet wrote: 18 Jan 2022, 19:37 A possible culprit for the annoying fore -aft backrest travel could be the bolt that I can see as per pic - there’s a silver bolt on both sides of the seat, and I can see that they are lose and slide up and down when the backrest slips. To tighten I’ll need to first get the side plate off. Are these bolts a legit part of this mechanism? They look like a homemade fix that’s worked loose…
Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The bolts not standard, it needs to be a bit lose to allow the mechanism to move

Florence the Komet
Registered user
Posts: 48
Joined: 03 Apr 2017, 17:14
80-90 Mem No: 15792
Location: Oxford

Re: Standard seat recline mechanism

Post by Florence the Komet »

Hmm that’s good to know, thanks David. Well, it speaks to a long standing issue, but is helpful for me to know anyway. I’ll update once I’ve got a proper set of alan keys!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
1989 WBX Petrol 2.1 DJ 5-speed

Post Reply