Bucket seat 'seized' (won't tilt fwd)

[billzilla]

Anyone know what I might want to look at in order to un 'seize' my driver's seat so I can tilt it forward again? I'm assuming that little clip/hook that rests on the metal bar/loop at the back on the lower portion of the seat is somehow stuck, but I've no idea how to un-stick. I can't get any leverage nor can I get under there to see it properly (my fat ass is probably responsible both for this condition and not being able to snake back there to get a look ).

Any idears?

[landon1]

not trying to be a smart ass, but did you try pushing the button on the side? my passenger side you have to push the button to tilt it forward, but my driver's side you don't have to push...probably not your problem, but sometimes it's the stupid little things that get ya (i know from experience )

[billzilla]

Yeah, I tried that - I think that might be part of the problem because there's no real 'give' in that button (I don't think there ever was).

[rr6pak]

Yeah, I tried that - I think that might be part of the problem because there's no real 'give' in that button (I don't think there ever was).

I think that's the problem, Billzilla. Don't know what the fix is. A friend of mine had the same problem with his Sat. He fixed it but don't know how(LOOOONNNGGG time ago, memory not as good )

[73X]

Been awhile since I had one apart, but the button is connected to a wire cable that goes to the latch, if you take the button out, you can probably pull up on the wire to get it to release.

[1971RR340]

Went through this a week or so ago if you haven't solved your problem yet...

Helps with the seat out of the car, if you remove side trim around button (may have to pull plastic seat back off, or at least loosen it), you should have access to 3 bolts that hold the latching/release mechanism in place. If it is so frozen you cannot convince it to let go, you may have to creatively take out the screws that hold the striker in the seat bottom. CAREFULLY peel up the corner of the upper seat cover and you can wiggle the latching mechanism out, took me about 20 minutes to get mine out. At that point, you may find like mine it was dry and rusty, needed alot of WD40 to loosen it then alot of lubricant to keep it moving. I was probably 1 hour "round trip" but got mine functional again. If you have a donor seat, the actual latch is the same I believe from 71-74 although the trim and buttons are different. Nothing you can see or do from back seat anyway, so size shouldn't make a difference. Just a pain trying to convince an almost 40 year old part to cooperate.