Folding rear seat mechanism - permanent fix anyone?

dcfcmap · 5th November 2018, 09:41

I've just freed off my rear seats (2004 ZT) for the umpteenth time using my somewhat abused junior hacksaw (on a similar basis to the "red hook" method discussed elsewhere).

Question is - has anyone come up with a pragmatic way to either

1. Stop the hooped spring staples from shifting away from the plastic pushbutton sections (I'm thinking cable ties somehow perhaps) or

2. Make the folding seats usable and accessible without the need to keep on going through the "hook down backrest" rigmarole every few weeks?

I've got cords tied to the sprung loops which work sometimes but it can get jammed up even then

(I have found the "how to" here https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=237816 - I'm just not keen on unzipping the seats and not being able to restore them if I can help it!)

macafee2 · 5th November 2018, 12:02

there is another How To that I think is different. i'll see if I can find the link

macafee2

trebor · 5th November 2018, 18:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcfcmap

I've just freed off my rear seats (2004 ZT) for the umpteenth time using my somewhat abused junior hacksaw (on a similar basis to the "red hook" method discussed elsewhere).

Question is - has anyone come up with a pragmatic way to either

1. Stop the hooped spring staples from shifting away from the plastic pushbutton sections (I'm thinking cable ties somehow perhaps) or

2. Make the folding seats usable and accessible without the need to keep on going through the "hook down backrest" rigmarole every few weeks?

I've got cords tied to the sprung loops which work sometimes but it can get jammed up even then

(I have found the "how to" here https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=237816 - I'm just not keen on unzipping the seats and not being able to restore them if I can help it!)

It was my " how to " you have the link to, dont be too afraid of unzipping the seats as all you need is a No 5 zipper off E bay which are couple of quid to buy.

Having said that when i did the original how to myself and Devilish took the seat completely apart as at that stage we didnt know what the problem was or how to fix it , but having found the solution of re drilling and moving the pop rivet you will be able to do that from the back of the seat once it is unjammed as you can get enough access through the square hole

hogweed · 6th November 2018, 12:34

Probably not particularly helpful, but when I first managed to free mine off some years ago, I made a habit of putting the back up REALLY gently, with the buttons already pushed, then release the buttons – hasn’t jammed so far (maybe 4-5 years).

Of course, it’s natural to want to just bang the back into place… but I can’t help thinking that makes it more likely for something to move again…

roverbarmy · 6th November 2018, 12:40

I just wish that my Mk 1 seats folded at all! I had a Mk 2 before and the extra length available was very handy. Has anyone done a Mk1 to Mk 2 rear seat conversion???

Rogue · 6th November 2018, 12:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by roverbarmy

I just wish that my Mk 1 seats folded at all! I had a Mk 2 before and the extra length available was very handy. Has anyone done a Mk1 to Mk 2 rear seat conversion???

If yours doesn't have the buttons you can release the seat back by pulling on the two tapes that should be hanging down the back. I could be wrong but i believe Mk2 seats fit without modification.

suzublu · 6th November 2018, 12:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by roverbarmy

I just wish that my Mk 1 seats folded at all! I had a Mk 2 before and the extra length available was very handy. Has anyone done a Mk1 to Mk 2 rear seat conversion???

Just about all the rears fold, push your hand between the seat base & back, just above the wheel arch. You should find the tapes

dcfcmap · 6th November 2018, 17:48

Thank you for that. I’ll order the zippers just in case and give it a try. Need to do something- it just jumps straight back to square one whenever I reset it.

I’ll let you know how it goes!

dcfcmap · 12th November 2018, 08:29

So - that went quite well - to a point! Although the original post was great for showing all fixes, to address only the seat latch challenge I found there was no need to remove the seat back at all as you can do it all from the rear of the seat (once it is folded down).

That said ... at the outset I was concerned about the zip and that's turned into a problem. I've unzipped both sides as the "how to" suggested but my #5 zip slider only works to a degree. As soon as I reach a curve the teeth either don;t mesh or don't stay meshed.

Any suggestions aside from going to an upholsterer?

(I have photos I can add - is there something somewhere to explain how to do so? When I upload I get "car1.jpg too big" but have no idea what dimensions are acceptable)

championdaddy · 12th November 2018, 08:39

I'm following this with interest as that's what happened to mine.....Button stuck down and only 1 side released and won't push back

May have a go today as the suns out.

5th November 2018, 09:41	#1
dcfcmap Newbie MG ZT Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 10 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Folding rear seat mechanism - permanent fix anyone? I've just freed off my rear seats (2004 ZT) for the umpteenth time using my somewhat abused junior hacksaw (on a similar basis to the "red hook" method discussed elsewhere). Question is - has anyone come up with a pragmatic way to either 1. Stop the hooped spring staples from shifting away from the plastic pushbutton sections (I'm thinking cable ties somehow perhaps) or 2. Make the folding seats usable and accessible without the need to keep on going through the "hook down backrest" rigmarole every few weeks? I've got cords tied to the sprung loops which work sometimes but it can get jammed up even then (I have found the "how to" here https://the75andztclub.co.uk/forum/s...d.php?t=237816 - I'm just not keen on unzipping the seats and not being able to restore them if I can help it!) Last edited by dcfcmap; 5th November 2018 at 09:53.. Reason: Add reference to "how to"

6th November 2018, 12:34	#4
hogweed I really should get out more....... Vauxhall Insignia CDTi; MG TF 135 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Norn Iron Posts: 2,958 Thanks: 942 Thanked 378 Times in 297 Posts	Probably not particularly helpful, but when I first managed to free mine off some years ago, I made a habit of putting the back up REALLY gently, with the buttons already pushed, then release the buttons – hasn’t jammed so far (maybe 4-5 years). Of course, it’s natural to want to just bang the back into place… but I can’t help thinking that makes it more likely for something to move again… __________________ Past cars: MGB GT; Escort 1300 Sport; Vauxhall VX4/90; Marina Coupe TC; Celica ST (1972); Montego Turbo; Astra GTE 16V; Astra GSI 16V; Golf GTI 16V (Mk II); Sierra XR4x4 Estate; BMW 325i (E30); BMW M3 3.0; BMW M3 3.2 Evo. Left some of the more embarrassing ones out. And about 30 motorbikes.

12th November 2018, 08:29	#9
dcfcmap Newbie MG ZT Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 10 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Zipper difficulties So - that went quite well - to a point! Although the original post was great for showing all fixes, to address only the seat latch challenge I found there was no need to remove the seat back at all as you can do it all from the rear of the seat (once it is folded down). That said ... at the outset I was concerned about the zip and that's turned into a problem. I've unzipped both sides as the "how to" suggested but my #5 zip slider only works to a degree. As soon as I reach a curve the teeth either don;t mesh or don't stay meshed. Any suggestions aside from going to an upholsterer? (I have photos I can add - is there something somewhere to explain how to do so? When I upload I get "car1.jpg too big" but have no idea what dimensions are acceptable) Last edited by dcfcmap; 12th November 2018 at 08:45..

5th November 2018, 12:02	#2
macafee2 This is my second home Rover 75 Saloon & Tourer Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Lincoln Posts: 14,912 Thanks: 1,630 Thanked 3,032 Times in 2,181 Posts	there is another How To that I think is different. i'll see if I can find the link macafee2

6th November 2018, 12:40	#5
roverbarmy This is my second home Roverless + 1.7D Sportage Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: East Norfolk Posts: 7,050 Thanks: 729 Thanked 2,021 Times in 1,449 Posts	I just wish that my Mk 1 seats folded at all! I had a Mk 2 before and the extra length available was very handy. Has anyone done a Mk1 to Mk 2 rear seat conversion??? __________________ Oil in my veins!

6th November 2018, 17:48	#8
dcfcmap Newbie MG ZT Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Ilkeston Posts: 10 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Thank you for that. I’ll order the zippers just in case and give it a try. Need to do something- it just jumps straight back to square one whenever I reset it. I’ll let you know how it goes!

12th November 2018, 08:39	#10
championdaddy This is my second home Mg Zt 190 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: The FIRST Garden City....Letchworth. Posts: 6,778 Thanks: 1,243 Thanked 920 Times in 698 Posts	I'm following this with interest as that's what happened to mine.....Button stuck down and only 1 side released and won't push back May have a go today as the suns out.