How to take out a passenger seat?

mrsmasterplan

DO we need any tools in particular to take out the seats? HAve heard its only 4 bolts and a plug - but is there anything else we need to know?
What do we use to take out the bolts? Just a wrench? Stupid questions i know but if you dont know...
The same goes for fitting a new one!

molerat

Usually torx bolts. http://flashoffroad.com/Maintenance/Transmission/FilterChange/images/13_DSC05868.jpg

TrickyWicky

On the cars I've had just a standard socket set will do it. Yes, 4 bolts under neath though depending on the age and rust of the car you might want to WD40 the topside of them over night (inside the car) just to help them unscrew. As for the plug, no idea that depends on the electronic stuff inside the seat.

Be careful of air bags though if your seats have them, most are impact triggered with a pin inside the chair and can literally explode with lethal force. In other words disconnecting the battery doesn't guarantee you'll be safe from them being triggered.

custardy

as said,be aware of airbag wiring

s_b

as TrickyWicky says some seats have pretensioners built under the seats to pull the seatbelt down in an accident,if you dont make these safe before you take out the seat you run the risk of losing fingers,these can be run via explosives rather than wires so be warned

mrsmasterplan

Oh my! Doesnt seem such a good idea having a go at this ourselves!

We did just try to have a go at the bolts but they were so tight we couldnt budge them.

Think it might have to be a trip to the garage - grrrr!!

TrickyWicky

It's doable by yourself but you just have to be careful and not jolt the seat etc.

As for undoing the bolts you might need a longer handle (more leverage) as they'll be done up incredibly tight to ensure the seat doesn't come loose.

mcjordi

first disconnect the battery... leave 10-20 mins so the airbag wont go off in your face..

what car is the seat in your trying to remove...?

TrickyWicky

mcjordi wrote: »

first disconnect the battery... leave 10-20 mins so the airbag wont go off in your face..

Oh boy ... another "disconnect the battery so the airbag won't go off" person.

Did you not read the above? - Many SEAT airbags are impact triggered.

custardy

mrsmasterplan wrote: »

Oh my! Doesnt seem such a good idea having a go at this ourselves!

We did just try to have a go at the bolts but they were so tight we couldnt budge them.

Think it might have to be a trip to the garage - grrrr!!

what car/year is it?
seat bolts are often tight
take care to use the right tool and not round the bolt/torx
why are you removing the seat?

mikey72

Mosr airbags are fired by an electronic decelerometer, sending a signal to the charge in the seatbelt,or airbag.

Mechanical devices went out in the 90's before most seat air bags, and then they were normally remote to the actual airbag, so still fired electronically.