Help! Rear Seat Latch - How to release??

[batmite]

My right rear seat handle is broken and 'squishy', and the latch does not disengage from the striker, is there any way to disengage it so I can fix it more easily?

Also, once I have it disengaged, I need some tips on how to disassemble the rear seat mechanism. I've looked and looked, Googled, and found no DIY's. The blow-up diagram at realoem.com does not explain how it comes apart.

(maybe it will be clear once I get the seat down, huh...)

Help!

Thanks in advance!

=Eric

[wolferj-RIP]

Eric;

I have not had to deal with a stuck seat latch, but I can tell you how to disassemble the rear seats...

1. The lower bench section just pops up, then pull it out. No trick to it.
2. The side bolsters have one plastic washer bolt that you can remove after the bench is out. After removal, the bolsters can be pushed up, then pulled out.
3. Fold down the seat back that is not stuck and you will see a metal plate between the seatbacks that has a Torx bolt in the center. Remove the torx bolt, pull off the plate, and that allows the lower retaining bar of the seat back to be pulled up in the center, then slide it out the other side catch, and remove.

Maybe once you have the lower part of the seat back loose, you can get the latch part free...



Good Luck and welcome from another NorCal memeber!

[batmite]

Thanks for the info...

I actually got it to come down by pulling REALLY HARD with all of my weight into it.
When I tried earlier in the day the car was pretty hot, apparently the body can warp just enough so it jams. Tried it at sunset and it actually released..

Whew!

I suppose I should lube the strikers or something while I'm there!

[wolferj-RIP]

Glad you got it off!