Topic: seat backs
in Forum: C3 Interior
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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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Lifetime MemberAsh Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
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.
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.
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192
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
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
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Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
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.
Dan
Lifetime MemberAsh Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
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?
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.
Yeah, I know, Shut up Dave.
Lifetime Member #192
Lifetime MemberModerator
Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #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
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.
Joel Adams
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Got both seat backs working. A little lube and a little persuasion. Thanks guys
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
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
Lifetime MemberLemon Grove, CA - USA
Joined: 10/17/2007
Posts: 2041
Vette(s): 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.
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.
|UPDATED|3/29/2014 11:07:10 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
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|
Thanks everyone
in Forum: C3 Interior
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