'55 V70 rear offside seat catch stuck...

nickds1 · May 16th, 2016, 12:30

Hi,

I hope someone can help - the rear offside seat back catch (releases the seat back so it tilts forward) has become stuck and I can't release it.

Is there some magic way to release it? I don't even know where to squirt WD40 or whatever as the Haynes Manual I have for the car is not clear about anything to do with the catch, though there is a cover that comes off, seemingly only when the seat back is already released (chicken/egg!).

Thanks

john493 · May 16th, 2016, 16:19

I had the same recently - just pulled & pushed the seat back whilst pushing the release button & eventually it released, then it all seemed to latch & release normally.
No idea why it got stuck !

nickds1 · May 17th, 2016, 11:47

The problem was the little red tab that pops up when the seats aren't fully locked - the mechanism for that is pretty crude and involved a tab sliding up a groove.

Over time, the groove gets worn and the tab jams, thus preventing the release catch moving... pressing the release catch harder or trying to force it just makes the issue worse.

Not a great bit of design...

Solution was to use a small spike and the fine-nosed pliers to gently ease up the tab as the catch is pressed - this allowed me to unlock and drop the seat forwards.

Then removed the trim covering the seat back locking mechanism - 4 screws - the red tab mechanism is in the trim.

I cleaned up the worn bits, making the groove smooth again and used some dry lube (PTFE).

All works a treat now, but basically as it's a poor design, it will fail again at some point.

May 16th, 2016, 12:30	#1
nickds1 Junior Member Last Online: Yesterday 08:35 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Kent, Cranbrook	'55 V70 rear offside seat catch stuck... Hi, I hope someone can help - the rear offside seat back catch (releases the seat back so it tilts forward) has become stuck and I can't release it. Is there some magic way to release it? I don't even know where to squirt WD40 or whatever as the Haynes Manual I have for the car is not clear about anything to do with the catch, though there is a cover that comes off, seemingly only when the seat back is already released (chicken/egg!). Thanks

May 16th, 2016, 16:19	#2
john493 Spannering since birth Last Online: Apr 21st, 2024 18:52 Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: North Oxon	I had the same recently - just pulled & pushed the seat back whilst pushing the release button & eventually it released, then it all seemed to latch & release normally. No idea why it got stuck ! __________________ V70 D5 eu4 manual M66 2006 > XC90 brake conversion, stage 2 VDASH remap. BMW R1200GS BMW R1100GS (GS Addict)

May 17th, 2016, 11:47	#3
nickds1 Junior Member Last Online: Yesterday 08:35 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Kent, Cranbrook	The problem was the little red tab that pops up when the seats aren't fully locked - the mechanism for that is pretty crude and involved a tab sliding up a groove. Over time, the groove gets worn and the tab jams, thus preventing the release catch moving... pressing the release catch harder or trying to force it just makes the issue worse. Not a great bit of design... Solution was to use a small spike and the fine-nosed pliers to gently ease up the tab as the catch is pressed - this allowed me to unlock and drop the seat forwards. Then removed the trim covering the seat back locking mechanism - 4 screws - the red tab mechanism is in the trim. I cleaned up the worn bits, making the groove smooth again and used some dry lube (PTFE). All works a treat now, but basically as it's a poor design, it will fail again at some point. Last edited by nickds1; May 17th, 2016 at 11:54.

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