Seat tilt mechanism

[bmwz3tower]

My drivers seat is stuck in the fully reclined position and when I pull the handle to adjust the seat back tilt it won't budge.

The seat is currently out of the car due to water in the carpets. I've looked at the mechanism and the handle does pull the wire but seems to fail to unlatch anything. Ive tryed to disassemble the seat to have a better look but havent gotten to far. Does anyone has experience dealing with this issue if so how was it resolved?

 

[TriumphZ3]

Mine is electric but check yours and see how far backwards it is, in case it can't recline - with no-one sitting in it, move the seat forwards and see if it reclines then. Just a thought!

 

[spurs fan in a coupe]

How To Guide - Remove z3 seat base

A quick 'How To' guide on removing the Z3 seat from the seat base, not sure if it's already been covered, but sure I read someone asking about it recently. I have the seat electronically up as high and far forward as possible for access reasons later I've not documented how to remove the seat...

zroadster.org

This might help, this is where the nipple attaches

 

[IainP]

My drivers seat is stuck in the fully reclined position and when I pull the handle to adjust the seat back tilt it won't budge.

The seat is currently out of the car due to water in the carpets. I've looked at the mechanism and the handle does pull the wire but seems to fail to unlatch anything. Ive tryed to disassemble the seat to have a better look but havent gotten to far. Does anyone has experience dealing with this issue if so how was it resolved?

Yes, if it’s not reclining it’s often the tab in the pics above has bent. That’s usually because the water under the seats has corroded the tab, or the tube it’s attached to. Applying oil to make sure the mechanism rotates freely, and maybe bending the tab back into position cures it. Both of my seats had that problem. It’s important to not the bend the little tab too far, you need some slack in the cable, otherwise the seat recline mechanism doesn’t latch properly and the back will recline just by giving it a good shove.
If what I’ve scrawled isn’t obvious, let me know, I’m sure I have pics.

 

[bmwz3tower]

Yes, if it’s not reclining it’s often the tab in the pics above has bent. That’s usually because the water under the seats has corroded the tab, or the tube it’s attached to. Applying oil to make sure the mechanism rotates freely, and maybe bending the tab back into position cures it. Both of my seats had that problem. It’s important to not the bend the little tab too far, you need some slack in the cable, otherwise the seat recline mechanism doesn’t latch properly and the back will recline just by giving it a good shove.
If what I’ve scrawled isn’t obvious, let me know, I’m sure I have pics.

I'll take it out again this weekend and see if I can figure it out. I did apply some lubricant to that area before.

 

[IainP]

I can’t find the pics, this is on eBay:

Bmw Z3 Seat Tilt Mechanism | eBay

Bmw Z3 Seat Tilt Mechanism. These rust up under the seat preventing the seat from tilting Taken from a low milage Z3 in good condition

www.ebay.co.uk

The tube jams on the spring. It’s all held by the pin. Mine was so jammed on one seat, I had to knock the pin out and smack the tube with a hammer to free it. The other I held the tab open with vice grips, added oil and moved the back repeatedly to loosen it up.

 

[bmwz3tower]

I can’t find the pics, this is on eBay:

Bmw Z3 Seat Tilt Mechanism | eBay

Bmw Z3 Seat Tilt Mechanism. These rust up under the seat preventing the seat from tilting Taken from a low milage Z3 in good condition

www.ebay.co.uk

The tube jams on the spring. It’s all held by the pin. Mine was so jammed on one seat, I had to knock the pin out and smack the tube with a hammer to free it. The other I held the tab open with vice grips, added oil and moved the back repeatedly to loosen it up.

When I had it out before, I could see that when you pulled the handle it moved the wire and tab on both sides so I don't think it's that that is jammed

 

[bmwz3tower]

When I had it out before, I could see that when you pulled the handle it moved the wire and tab on both sides so I don't think it's that that is jammed

I hadn't read your post properly before, I see it wasn't related to the wire, do you have to remove the spring mechanism to fix it/ if you don't how do get at it to unstick it

 

[IainP]

When you pull the cable make sure the tube rotates on the spring. It may be the spring rotating and is locked to the tube.
If that’s the case you have to remove the seat base/foam to gain access. Means prising all the clips off without damaging the leather. I would try tapping the tube and spring with a small pin hammer, just shocking it whilst applying some 3-1 oil, or similar, might just do the trick.
Hopefully not as bad as mine, everything was seized solid, spring, pivots, even the motors had to be stripped, but my underfloor was like a swimming pool and the car was seriously neglected.
Check for water under the carpet, stick a couple fingers through the holes the seat wiring comes through.

 

[bmwz3tower]

When you pull the cable make sure the tube rotates on the spring. It may be the spring rotating and is locked to the tube.
If that’s the case you have to remove the seat base/foam to gain access. Means prising all the clips off without damaging the leather. I would try tapping the tube and spring with a small pin hammer, just shocking it whilst applying some 3-1 oil, or similar, might just do the trick.
Hopefully not as bad as mine, everything was seized solid, spring, pivots, even the motors had to be stripped, but my underfloor was like a swimming pool and the car was seriously neglected.
Check for water under the carpet, stick a couple fingers through the holes the seat wiring comes through.

Thanks for the advice, I've already had the carpets out, the foam was soaked but there was no puddle of water underneath so hopefully they aren't as rusted as yours were.