Seat Hinges

[PG325]

I have a convertible which has the sport seat with dual handle driver seat mechanism, you can tilt the back, lower or increase the height, but also tilt the base.

My drivers seat is loose on the seat hinge and I'm wondering if these can be replaced with other hinges, not necessarily from a convertible sport seat?

Are there any useful guides on how to dismantle a seat and replace the hinges?

PG.

[BenHar]

Take the back off the seat (two cross head screws at the bottom and pull the tilt handle off) and check that the big cross head screws by the hinge are tight.

Ben

[Brianmoooore]

Take the back off the seat (two cross head screws at the bottom and pull the tilt handle off) and check that the big cross head screws by the hinge are tight.

Ben

THIS!
If left too long, the metal around the hinge tube will crack. Easy enough to weld back together, but needs a fair bit of dismantling first.

[arrisbmw]

i f you youtube it there are a couple of guides on there about takng the seats apart recaro /sports . one guy mentions welding up a particular weak point. iirc on the hinge bracket don,t know if that's what you are referring too.try this link

[Brianmoooore]

The fractures occur where the relatively thin metal of the frame joins the thick metal of the tube. When I've repaired these, I've finished off by laying beads of weld on the frame in a radial star pattern around the tube, in order to spread the stress area away from the tube.
I expect this is what is referred at the end of the post above.

[PG325]

Take the back off the seat (two cross head screws at the bottom and pull the tilt handle off) and check that the big cross head screws by the hinge are tight.

Ben

THIS!
If left too long, the metal around the hinge tube will crack. Easy enough to weld back together, but needs a fair bit of dismantling first.

I've checked the two screws and both are tight.

There is definitely play in the inner side hinge, I'm wondering if something inside the hinge is worn or broke, but can't find replacement seat hinge anywhere!

[Brianmoooore]

The mechanism at each side (the bit with the lever , and the similar bit the other side without a lever) each contain a latch to hold the seat back in place at the chosen position.
The two parts are identical, except that one doesn't have a lever. The movement of the lever is coupled to the one without by a bar inside the hinge tube, so that both catches are released at the same time by the one lever.
If the frame is twisted, the two sides won't be synchronised, so when one side is locked into position, the other side will be between positions, and will move about.
The two mechanisms are easily removed from the seat by removing the plastic covers, prising out the pieces that couple the lever to the central tube. then lifting a small spring loaded latch, allowing the mechanism to rotate slightly and be removed.

The screws may be tight now, but it's likely that damage was done at some time in the past, when they had worked loose, and left too long before being tightened.

[Satan]

Convertibles are sods, mark my words as I replaced the bolsters on my sons car, stripping the seats down is a horrible job and then you may find that the hinge on the drivers seat closest to the door has somehow welded itself on and will not budge for love or money, lots of heat and swearing eventually made it shift.

The bolts may be loose the clips missing, take the covers off and find out where the play is, if you need hinges then I think Brutus has some for sale.