Electric seat impasse!

[Sips]

Evening all,

First post of what will likely be many as I start to restore my 97 1.9 Z3.

So, I have spent about 6 hours this evening swearing at the passenger seat which is stuck fully back. Having dismantled as much as possible (including the drivers seat to see how it works!) I am at an impasse.

The reason it is stuck right back is that the worm screw which adjusts the position forwards and backwards (where the bushes are that wear out) is pretty much seized solid. The drive spring from the small gearbox at the front had snapped hence it wasn't moving. I managed to get that out then fabricated an adapter I could pass through the seat rail to the end of the worm screw, frustratingly this snapped and has blocked the square spline.

The only other thing I can see to do from trying it on the drivers side is to remove the 2 x T25 torx screws that hold the worm screw nuts, however as I can only get the front nuts off the runners as the rears are captive in the runners with the seat back I am wondering how on earth I am going to access them. I have started jacking the front of the seat up but still cannot get it high enough to get a Torx driver under the rail to undo the worn screw nut bracket. I can't get to the 2 nuts under the seat to remove it from the base either as it is stuck right back against the rear bulkhead.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get the seat out short of breaking (more) parts? I have read the guide on here but this assumes your seat will actually move when you rotate the drive springs!!!

Thanks!

 

[GazHyde]

If the seat won't move using the drill method, then it's time to get a bit more extreme. Have you checked the drive rails to make sure where isn't anything in the rails blocking it?

 

[Don Sigston]

Evening all,

First post of what will likely be many as I start to restore my 97 1.9 Z3.

So, I have spent about 6 hours this evening swearing at the passenger seat which is stuck fully back. Having dismantled as much as possible (including the drivers seat to see how it works!) I am at an impasse.

The reason it is stuck right back is that the worm screw which adjusts the position forwards and backwards (where the bushes are that wear out) is pretty much seized solid. The drive spring from the small gearbox at the front had snapped hence it wasn't moving. I managed to get that out then fabricated an adapter I could pass through the seat rail to the end of the worm screw, frustratingly this snapped and has blocked the square spline.

The only other thing I can see to do from trying it on the drivers side is to remove the 2 x T25 torx screws that hold the worm screw nuts, however as I can only get the front nuts off the runners as the rears are captive in the runners with the seat back I am wondering how on earth I am going to access them. I have started jacking the front of the seat up but still cannot get it high enough to get a Torx driver under the rail to undo the worn screw nut bracket. I can't get to the 2 nuts under the seat to remove it from the base either as it is stuck right back against the rear bulkhead.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get the seat out short of breaking (more) parts? I have read the guide on here but this assumes your seat will actually move when you rotate the drive springs!!!

Thanks!

I have exactly the same problem. Any resolution to this? Thanks.

 

[Low Rider]

Me to

 

[Stevo7682]

Sounds like all you guys are heading towards level 2
Brut force and ignorance

 

[oldcarman]

I have exactly the same problem. Any resolution to this? Thanks.

Hi, sorry can't help with the seat problem but somehow I've missed your intro thread. I apologize for that. Welcome from St Georges, Manitoba; just about 120km NE of Winnipeg. Where are you located. I also have a 97 1.9 RHD imported from just outside of London, UK in 2014. Just put a new top and green leather seat covers purchased off eBay. JIM

 

[Don Sigston]

The intro thread was from Sips "Electric Seat Impasse". Anyway, after hours of trying everything that was suggested on the various Z3 sites, I took mine into a European car mechanic this morning. He got it out by "brute force", which was the advice of several members, so this was my instruction to the mechanic based on many comments on the same topic here. That was fine because I bought seats from a wrecked 2000 Z3. I put the passenger seat in myself, which took about an hour and was very straight forward, and took the driver's seat to the mechanic to put in once he got my stuck seat out. Basically, mine is a 1998, and at some point in its life it must have had a water leak, probably from a failed top, because the problem turned out to be a rusted rail on the left side. Anyway, the cost of the re and re was $135 for labour which, to me, is the deal of the century. The seats I got from the wrecker are virtually like new and the car looks new again!

 

[oldcarman]

That's great that you're all fixed up and ready to enjoy some drive around time in the new seats! Are they standard or sport seats? Mine are standard and as I'm not a big guy find them quite comfortable. JIM

 

[Don Sigston]

Hi Oldcarman/Jim. Seats are standard. The original ones were all leather look vinyl and the new ones are leather look vinyl trim with a textured seat and back. They look really sharp. It's great to have an eighteen year old car that looks like new. The BMW mechanic said its in surprisingly good condition. Although, it needs new window seals along the convertible roof.
Oh, I forgot to answer your question, I'm in North Vancouver, BC and we're just getting pounded with a Pacific Storm; the second of three we're told and the "big one" with 100km/h winds tomorrow. No top down for a while! Regards from the "wet coast", Don.

 

[oldcarman]

Button up for the storm Don, Mother Nature is really throwing a hissy fit at NA for sure! My niece lives in Vancouver and my brother and SIL are in Naniamo till spring when they'll be leaving to return home permanently in Manitoba after being in BC for twelve years. My younger sister was there also till 2013 when she passed away at 62. She's been there for thirty some odd years.
Enjoy the forum it's loaded with great and knowledgable people. But most of all enjoy your car., wish I was out west !! JIM