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Topic: seat backs

in Forum: C3 Interior


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seat backs (1/12)
 3/27/14 1:33pm
swany 80vette
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Vette(s):
1980 c3


Joined: 3/24/2014
Posts: 62

Maybe some one can help I hope. 1980 Always before you could just tip the back of the seat forward but now for some reason it won't budge. Right after I got it I tipped the drivers seat back forward to fix a speaker back there and then I did it again later to vacuum back there and now the seat wont tip. there is no button on the seat back so I am confused, thanks
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Re: seat backs (2/12)
 3/27/14 2:46pm
dads2vetteLifetime Member
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Ash Fork, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Red Interior White exterior


Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1052

I recall this happening to mine, way back in the dusty(or mushy) parts of my brain.  I'm pretty sure you should have to pull up slightly on the seat to push/pull it forward.  After all these yrs they sometimes wear.

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Re: seat backs (3/12)
 3/27/14 4:58pm
swany 80vette
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1980 c3


Joined: 3/24/2014
Posts: 62

I lubed the driver side up a little and now it works fine. Not so much luck with the passenger side have lubed it up to but still doesn't seem to want to work, but will try it tomorrow and if it still doesn't then will dig deeper
Re: seat backs (4/12)
 3/27/14 7:40pm
dskopp
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Oak Creek, WI - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops, Going to remain as Stock as possible. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vetts Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!!


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swany 80vette said: Maybe some one can help I hope. 1980 Always before you could just tip the back of the seat forward but now for some reason it won't budge. Right after I got it I tipped the drivers seat back forward to fix a speaker back there and then I did it again later to vacuum back there and now the seat wont tip. there is no button on the seat back so I am confused, thanks


The seats of our vettes (I have a 1981) are enertia activated!!  During a rapid de-accleration the seat will lovk and will not move forward, and the seat belt will tighten around you.
DanBig smile


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Re: seat backs (5/12)
 3/27/14 9:33pm
dads2vetteLifetime Member
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Ash Fork, AZ - USA

Vette(s):
1981 Red Interior White exterior


Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1052

I wonder if mine started acting up a little because it has sat in one position for so long.  Pushing/pulling up on it just "loosened up" the inertia mechanism?

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Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!!      Long and short term leases available.
In the words of Zora Arkus-Duntov "Is your seat belt fastened? Alright, Let's go"


Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
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Re: seat backs (6/12)
 3/27/14 10:24pm
Adams' AppleLifetime Member
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Duncanville, TX - USA

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#1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas


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The hinges on those seats are crap. Once they wear to a certain point, it makes it hard to flip the seatbacks forward.The inertia mechanism will also cause many headaches, especially if the hinges are worn. There is a weight that is supposed to swing forward and lock the seatbacks on rapid deceleration.....this weight mechanism will latch at times, and not release. You might try pushing backward on the seatback, and see if that helps. Pushing back, pushing down, or pulling up on the seatback can sometimes get it moving again.

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Re: seat backs (7/12)
 3/28/14 11:05am
swany 80vette
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1980 c3


Joined: 3/24/2014
Posts: 62

Got both seat backs working. A little lube and a little persuasion. Thanks guys
Re: seat backs (8/12)
 3/29/14 11:51am
DaveMLifetime Member
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Flanders, NJ - USA

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1982 Black, ZZ4, Hooker Side Pipes, 3.55 Rear, Rebuilt & upgraded 700R4, All new suspension, brakes, & new Charcoal interior.


Joined: 1/27/2004
Posts: 2552

I had a lot of problems with mine when I got the car, when I re-did the interior I put new hinges in and they work like new (mainly 'cause they are).

Dave



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Re: seat backs (9/12)
 3/30/14 2:07am
tb2k82ceLifetime Member
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Lemon Grove, CA - USA

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1982 C3 Collectors Edition 44000 miles, sat in the sun most of its life, My wife purchased it for me for Father's Day in 2007 from her girlfriend that had it for 19 years. It is on the road again. I'm retired but it is now my daily driver.


Joined: 10/17/2007
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the inertia mechanism in the hing can either loose it weight and stop working or it can become sticky and stop working.  Or sometimes just break.  Had all of that happen with mine.  Replace the hinges with some better used ones and cleaned everything up.  Works great now.  It is just an old car thing that sometimes happens it good to get it out again so when it happens everyone can realize what is going on.  

I frankly forgot about the issue although it was one of the first things I had to fix 5 year ago when I got my car. 

Thank Joel for the in depth info again on a minor but significant problem if it is happening to you.


|UPDATED|3/29/2014 11:07:10 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Re: seat backs (10/12)
 3/30/14 9:22pm
swany 80vette
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1980 c3


Joined: 3/24/2014
Posts: 62

Thanks everyone
Re: seat backs (11/12)
 3/30/14 11:09pm
lakeside49
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CANTON, MI - USA

Vette(s):
`82 Shark


Joined: 10/13/2013
Posts: 21

Just to be specific for anyone who reads this posting that is looking for the fix, here is what you'll need to do - and, make sure you do it if your hinge is sticking - the car is designed for everything to function properly throughout, including the inertial, fold-down seat hinges:

1.) Identify which hinge is catching, the left or right side of the seat.  On mine, it was the right.  You'll be able to tell which side is sticking by pushing it down

2.) Get a very small, thin blade screw driver or similar thin-metal device and insert it between the slats in the hinge while gently pushing the seat down.  You won't have to push it hard - it will know when to go, but be as aggressive as necessary about sliding the screwdriver up into the hinge mechanism and prying it around.  You won't hurt anything.  It can take 5-10 or more minutes of jostling around, but well worth it when the seat suddenly folds down.

3.) Lubricate it with spray silicone or WD40, etc.  Mine has not repeated itself, probably because I lubricated it.  I would encourage others who have not experienced the odd hinge binding issue, to spray a dab of preventative lube into the hinge mechanism.  I do not agree with a prior poster that the hinges are "crap", at least not with basic maintenance for all moving parts - in fact, I like how tightly toleranced they were designed which helps avoid rattles and operate smoothly when lubed from time to time since they do double duty as seats and "trunk" access. 

Good luck.   Dave




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Re: seat backs (12/12)
 3/31/14 6:22pm
swany 80vette
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Vette(s):
1980 c3


Joined: 3/24/2014
Posts: 62

Thanks Dave that is about what I did actually . Now that I have got them to fold down and lubed them up a bit they work really smooth. Thanks again. I also agree with you this car had set quite awhile so it's my opinion also that a little lube now and then will be the ticket. Many thanks again
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