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General Upholstery Questions and Comments => General Discussion => Topic started by: hdflame on February 20, 2011, 08:23:34 pm

Title: 1996 GMC Z71 Seat Question??? HELP!
Post by: hdflame on February 20, 2011, 08:23:34 pm
My drivers side seat on my truck will not stay latched back in the normal seating position.  The release handle on the side still feels springy, like it's working properly, but it just springs forward ALL THE TIME!

When I get in the truck, I have to put something behind the seat to keep it from laying all the way back flat when I lean back on it.  Basically it just moves freely back and forth, but the spring holds it in the forward position until I lean back on it!

Anyone have any ideas on what to look for to fix it?  I was hoping not to take it completely out, but I may have no choice if you guys can't give  me some ideas.

BTW, it's bucket seats with a flip down armrest on the right side.  Just the standard seat.
Title: Re: 1996 GMC Z71 Seat Question??? HELP!
Post by: SHHR on February 21, 2011, 05:50:45 am
Bobby, I'm not familiar with that seat, but is there a plastic cover hiding the hinge and reclining mechanism? Or is it hidden under the upholstery? Either way if you can get access to see it, you'll probably be able to see whats going on in there. Like you said everything is spring loaded, but I think there is a liitle catch or pawl that grabs various locations on the hinge to lock the seat in a certain place. It sounds like that piece may be sticking or broke off. If it's just sticking you can probably get it back in place and give dose of white grease to lube it up. If the hinge is removable from the seat frame tou can take it off and do the work at a bench, just examine everything carefully first so you don't accidently unload the coiled spring in there when removing. They're hard to reload and even harder on fingers when coming unwound!
Kyle
Title: Re: 1996 GMC Z71 Seat Question??? HELP!
Post by: baileyuph on February 21, 2011, 06:12:54 am
Yes, to what has been said.  Check to determine why the recliner device is not going into the cog.  It could be corrosion, debris, or a spring or?

You might end up visiting a salvage yard.  I have run into this before, but not often.  Those systems can get bent and become disfunctional.  This has been my experience on other seats, however.

Doyle