There have been several threads on this issue, but none really come to a satisfactory conclusion. I posted on an old thread about it, but I didn't get any responses so I'm starting a new one in a last ditch effort!

Here's the basics:

-​​​​​​The single seat behind the driver functions perfectly, as is the case with most posts about this issue.

-The 1.5 seats on the passenger side are locked in the downward (floormost) position. When I try to release them from the floor, the bottom pull loop activates the wire but nothing happens. The underside hooks are in the same position you see on most of these threads; the leftmost not making any contact with the floor, while the middle hook must be locked in place. No visibility, but my guess is that the previous owner tried to force the seat down/up and jacked the mechanism somehow.

-When I try to lift the seatbacks to the seating position, they lock halfway and I cannot get them all the way up. I unbolted the seat belt in case the inertia mechanism was holding it back, but no luck.

-The release pull on the top of the seats is loose, as there seems to be no tension on the wire... I've seen threads that say to cut that wire but I don't see how that would help release the middle hook.

-I have already tried lubricating everything I can see underneath the seat as well as putting firm pressure on the seats before pulling. Nothing I've done has made a difference.
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Let me know if you guys solved this! I currently have a 3-seat Rover and what good does that do anybody? Thanks!!!

 

@erisdae let see if we have this correct :

• The seat bottoms are down and partly locked
• The seat backs are flat and will not go fully up right
• Pulling the release wire does nothing

The seat back will not raise if the seat is not locked in place so do not try and force it
Put the seat back in teh folded position, and leave it there

As you can see the leftmost hook, does it move when you pull the the release loop ?
If not using a screwdriver or hook NOT YOUR FINGERS, can you alter the position of the hook you can see,you are trying to make set it in the locked position.
Does the allow you to unlock the seat

 

You may have to take the side covers off to get to the mechanisms and lubricate them to get them to release. Maybe PO let a kid get some gum or glue or melted candy or whatever down in there.

 

You're correct on all counts.

This hook does not respond to pulling the loop at all. I can pull the leftmost hook to release position using a tool, but when pressure is put on the seat the hook goes to a position I would call "mostly locked".

Upon further reflection, this hook looks like it is banging against the anchor point in the floor... thus this hook won't be able to lock at all. It's about 1/2 an inch from being in the correctly locked position.

The PO mentioned that this interior was recently installed, so is it possible that these seats were mounted incorrectly? Maybe this hook is misaligned?



Here's a picture of the leftmost hook. This is absolutely as far down as it will travel. It's in horrible condition, but that is from PO... I plan to take these seats out and fix the rust. And clean the whole car.

 

Good thought... I can access some of the joints but not all of them. I'll give it a shot, but unfortunately I'm starting to think it might be a more serious problem with the way PO installed these seats.

 

yes, could have been the install. It takes a bit to get the aligned correctly. or the release mechanism got damaged from install or prior accident, or it's rusted and stuck....

If you removes CAREFULLY the rear seat plastic cover (because getting replacement plastic pins is not easy), it will expose the lower this fiber board cover. If this is undone, you may have access to the release links/mechanism/cable...

 

Good advice, will try tomorrow. Do you know of a way to get the bottom cardboard/fiber cover off without cutting it or ruining it in some way? I'm sure I could find another one, but I'd rather go about this peacefully if possible...

 

No, i do not. That cardboard pieces is held on by a bunch of hardcore plastic rivets. I tried to remove it when seat was out of my disco. I gave up. BUT, it's easy to cut and patch with similar black covering. Start with a small hole near the hinge mechanism. maybe you can get to the release cable? Look online for some images of seat frame for guidance...

 

VICTORY!!

Thank you all for your help! I found a replacement seat in a junkyard so that I could dismantle the stuck seat however possible. I'm glad to say I came up with a relatively peaceful option!

Here's how I did it:

I started by cutting away the fiber cover beneath the seats. Since I had limited room to work, and especially due to the near-bulletproof nature of these covers, it took a lot of time and effort. I would recommend a small handsaw or something (no power tools for risk of damaging the carpet or seats), but definitely something serrated. That will give you a cleaner cut and less to repair. I butchered mine, but since I had a replacement I wasn't overly concerned.

As suggested, I exposed the area surrounding the middle hook. Unfortunately, there was still no visibility of the hook itself, just its metal casing. However, I did expose the two bolts that connected that casing to the seat. When looking at the hook from inside the trunk, they will be on the right side facing the right passenger door.

Using a ratchet with an extension (40 torx) I got them out fairly easily... I did have to leverage the seat up slightly in order to get a better angle, since the bolts are recessed underneath the carpet. Once I undid those bolts, the hook separated from the seat and I was able to remove it!

The problem? PO had only bolted the front torx bolts in and then tried to lock the seat down, resulting in misalignment. Not sure what he was thinking.

I'm pleased that I didn't have to drill anything out, and that the only casualty was the underseat cover. I hope it's as painless for anybody else whose seat is giving them trouble!

Edit: general grammar and syntax

 

Good job getting it sorted, but why would anyone not put all 4 in place, they are through bolts too so lot so moisture can get in that way