Help! Driver's seat slider is stuck . . . and I can't access the in-rail screws

[72t4tom]

perhaps removing all of the allen screws that you can reach and jiggling the slider

[GreenTea]

You are going to have to remove the seat from the car, turn it up side down, locate the area where the stop screw came loose and drill an access hole.

Bummer. I was hoping to avoid that.

Am I correct that the outer (door side) base is held on by Allen screws, but the inner (handbrake side) is welded? If so, this job just got a LOT bigger.

[Scott A]

I agree. I think what it will come too.
You have to remove every screw you can find and reach, then break the rest.
Even if it tears the inner rail sheat metal.
And every time you can get a grinder or hacKsaw blade on a screw to cut it.
It is a big job. When it's the inner rail. It's a big job.


I hope it something easier. But from what you are describing. Sounds like the big job.

I know you can't get the seat out of the car. Once you do. Then you can do what Ed is saying.

And those safety bumps are only parts of the safety thing.
There is a fat rod inside tgery. Way in the middle.

[GreenTea]

perhaps removing all of the allen screws that you can reach and jiggling the slider

Presently, I have access only to one screw--the rear most pair. Probably not enough to provide the necessary leverage.

I did have a similar thought along those lines, though. I'm planning to run down to the hardware store tomorrow to see if I can get an allen wrench that might be able to fit into the seat slider. It would be slow going, to say the least, but it could work.

Does anyone know the size of the allen screws in the seat sliders off hand?

[GreenTea]

And those safety bumps are only parts of the safety thing.
There is a fat rod inside tgery. Way in the middle.

Tell me more about this rod in the middle. That is what my issue sounds and feels like. I haven't been able to find an "exploded" view of the inner workings of the seat sliders, but that would sure help.

[Scott A]

By the way.
I am in Pasadena. If the car drives. You, me, my brother could go at it.
3 minds. But in the end well probably have to get rough.
I been in this same seat pickle before.

[rower]

By the way.
I am in Pasadena. If the car drives. You, me, my brother could go at it.
3 minds. But in the end well probably have to get rough.
I been in this same seat pickle before.

That’s a really generous offer.

[Scott A]

The fat rod. Is in the middle of the whole system.
It's like a solid bolt. But it was installed, as a permanent swagged fat solid rivet.
It runs into the tabs that are spot welded at the rail ends.
It was there to keep the seat from sliding too far forward in a crash.

I believe sometimes it runs into a screw head. And binds the rail.
The seat screw heads are not all the same height.
I think a tall screw. That looked right. Was installed. And the safety rod can't get over it.

All that said. It cannot be reached. It's too deep.
I tried the biggest hammers and drifts.. to get it unstuck.


You can take out all the screws near the door.
And the back screws. Then you just rock the whole seat up. And break the front screw . Or cut it out. Or tear it out.

[GreenTea]

By the way.
I am in Pasadena. If the car drives. You, me, my brother could go at it.
3 minds. But in the end well probably have to get rough.
I been in this same seat pickle before.

Uh oh. This may have been too generous. As luck would have it, I'm also in Pasadena and the car definitely drives.

I would love to get this thing unstuck, but definitely don't want to impose my car's burden on you. That said, I would appreciate a brother (or two) in arms. PM me if you're up for it.

Update: I hit the hardware store and purchased some ball-ended allen wrenches. The angle might be too tight. My last option is cutting an allen wrench down so that it will fit into the rail and engage into the screw. But that will take many, micro turns. So many.

[raspy2point2]

When it is time to get rough get a electric saws all with a metal blade long enough to reach the offending screw and cut it off under the rail. but it might damage the rail base or put a hole in your carpet if your not careful. Just my 2 cents.