Seat Backs - Unglued

[briandilley]

I know I read about this issue, but after searching on seat, back, glue I was not able to find the thread.

What is the fix for the seat backs glue points failing?

[macfly]

We have never had a thread that shows images of the issue, but the fix is to just glue the clips that fall off back on, Fred should be able to give us a good name for the right glue. Could you take some shots of the process so we can pop it up here on the site - thanks.

[briandilley]

I can do that.

[thegunguy]

This is actually one of the first fixes that I documented, including pics of the process. However, I can't seem to find the post either, and tracking my posts only goes to 500.

Andrew, can can you look back further in time? I'm certain that I posted photos. I'll look in my archives too.

[macfly]

I have a pretty good memory of these things, so I think you may have put them up on Roadfly, because I don't recall ever seeing a post or pix showing the actual problem and fix.

[thegunguy]

That could be it...probably about the time of the great migration.

[FWK-Z8]

I would reccommned a cynoacrylate - e.g., superglue. I believe the hard shells are ABS, and am not sure what the pieces that hold the shell to the frame are, but ABS is a reasonable guess. I'd use some 80-100 grit sandpaper to clean residual adhesive/roughen up the mating surfaces, the spread a thin coat of cyanoacrylate to each surface - make sure you get it to the edges of the parts so as to eliminate stress concentrations that would allow peel - after getting the initial adhesion, run a bead around the perimeter of the clips to allow the adhesive to get in by capillary force . If possible clamp the two pieces together for about 2 hours. Wait overnight before reinstalling the shells

[briandilley]

thanks guys, as soon as the glue comes in I am going to fix the passenger seat. The driver seat hasn't come apart yet. I will take pictures (quality is what the camera gives me) and my steps or lessons learned.

I do have one question. The seat back has a contact space and the plastic hooks align with that mark, but the hooks slip up on the seat back to hold it in place.

Is there a way to disconnect the bottom of the seat back and put the newly glued seat back in place by slipping the top hooks in first and then connecting the bottom of the seat back?

Right now, I just have the top of the seat back tilted back and the bottom is still connected.

[thegunguy]

As I recall, the top hooks, which are the ones that fail, slide up to engage. The bottom ones push in when the top hooks are fully engaged. The hardest part of the fix is re-installing the seat back. Due to the thickness of the leather, it's difficult to get the top hooks to "click" in place. Go slow, be patient, and you'll eventually get it.

Looking forward to your pics. I'm certain that I posted some somewhere about this, but I cannot find anything in my archived photos.

[briandilley]

Man, you are not kidding on the top hooks, still haven't got them to snap in place, but I will not lose my patience. I guess I got to squeeze the leather and padding there to get the hook to catch.

[thegunguy]

Yep. That's the key. The leather is thick. You have to compress it just right to get the top hooks to engage.

Have a beer and try again.:beerchug:

[briandilley]

:thumbsup: and it only took one beer! :beerchug: well actually one Sapphire and tonic, my preferred poision.

Whew, it is in and with a lucky punch on the outside edge - it snapped into place. The biggest issue was getting both top hooks to catch. It was pretty easy getting the inside top hook in, but the outside hook was tough, but I have to admit - my torn left shoulder never did heal correctly, so my strength in that arm in some positions is - let us say not as optimal as the right.

One issue I encountered was the middle side clip on the outside came off with some of my efforts, but the glue I have MXBON 105 (an industrial super glue) worked great, so I just glued the middle clip back on. Make sure you lightly sand both contact points and that all old adhesive has been removed. The original glue comes off in one rubber piece - at least it did for me. Then a light sand to scuff it up and applied the MXBON 105 as instructed. I also laid a bead of glue along the edges as mentioned by others for an added precaution and strength.

Note, there are rust points behind the seats due to the teeth clips for the leather, bracing bar at the bottom of the seat back and some springs being steel based. Not bad, was a California car till last year, but just a note from this repair.

Pictures below...

[macfly]

Thanks for the pics!!

[briandilley]

Cool, and the captions really highlight the interest point of each picture very well, thanks Andrew!