malfunctioning 2nd row bench seat back - Diesel Forum

AllAboutJeeps · 09-22-2003, 05:11 PM

Hi All, I just joined the X club by purchasing a '01 7.3L 4x4 Limited X with 70k on it last week. I also just joined this forum, first time poster, long time lurker. Anyhow, this weekend was the first weekend that somebody actually rode in the second row. It turns out that the back rest of the 40 split (passenger side) of the 2nd row bench doesn't stay in the upright position when someone leans back on it. Additionally, if you recline the seat and then sit up, it still doesn't hold. The force of the spring is enough to bring it up to the upright position. My quick look at it didn't show any excessively worn or stipped gear teeth, but there was alot of grease. I have contacted the dealer already, but thought I would run it past you all as well to maybe get a quick solution. Has anybody else ran into or heard of this? Any suggestions? Thanks.

...danny

AllAboutJeeps · 09-25-2003, 11:57 AM

Well, I guess by the number of responses I am the only one that has had this problem. I spent some time last night playing with it, and I believe I know why the seat will not stay up, but I am still not sure how to resolve the problem. Apparently the release lever is not fully returning to its normal position. I am not sure how to describe it, but it doesn't return all the way down. I am not sure what could be causing this. When the seat is folded forward flat, the lever returns completely firmly locking the seat in position. But it does not return when the seat back is in any other position. Anybody have any thoughts? I don't believe that the hinge is even a replacable part, it appears to be permanently attached to the seat back. Does anybody know if the hinge can be removed from the seat back, and how to do it? Thanks.

...danny

Toolman1 · 09-25-2003, 04:37 PM

Is there a spring on that return lever that may have snapped or unhooked itself? I have this problem with my front passenger seat.....but it's a self-induced problem that reared itself after I drilled out the stops so as to allow the seat to fully recline. I knwo that's not the same issue, but my return lever spring unhooks itself now.
Cheers, Toolman1

rdefrancisco · 09-25-2003, 05:11 PM

My passengers side second row seat also does it, I have not gotten around to figuring it out yet.

AllAboutJeeps · 09-25-2003, 08:06 PM

Toolman1, Thanks for the suggestion. I checked the spring and it seemed to be OK. It was still attached at both ends. I unhooked it to make sure it wasn't sprung. No luck. The spring appears to be fine.

Northshoreoutfitters, if I figure anything out, I will certainly post it here. On a different note, it looks as though you might be able to take the seat back to access the gears, but it would envolve releasing the coil springs that return the seat to the upright position. I am not sure I am up for opening that can of worms just yet.

Anybody else have any experiences, or even heard of such a problem? Anybody want to trade a medium parchment leather 2nd row passenger side seat back

Anybody know of a good salvage yard that would have this seat back? Thanks.

...danny

boomboom · 10-01-2003, 05:25 AM

I don't mean to change the discussion on your seat problem to mine BUT, I don't and havn't had your problem so I have no clue on a fix sorry. I have had at times problems getting my seat backs up out of the 4X8 sheet drywall position. I've had to hold lever up and shake the seat back up and down forceably to make it let go. Related some how??? [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]