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2011 LR4 HSE - one of the 3rd row seats won't go down (to lay flat). There appears to be a spring or small piece of metal stopping it from folding down. Has anyone seen this? Know how to fix? Local dealer wants to sell me a whole new seat & mechanism for $2k !!!!
I have hardly used these seats over the past 9 years - now I cannot use my trunk space, so REALLY need help to get this seat down, even if I don't use this seat again.... See picture below showing the issue. Also attached a video so you can see the issue easily...
Any advice appreciated... This is the small piece of metal that seems to be stopping the seat from folding. It is not visible on the other seat.
I can't get to my rear row seats to look as I have a cargo barrier in the vehicle, but since you have the left hand seat to compare it with can't you check to see how it's set up? It does look like the tail of a spring has sprung. If that's correct you should be able to move the seat to a position that at least enables you to push that tail back into whatever it is that holds it in place or at least fold the seat down. I assume you've tried that? Doesn't look like a hard fix, so I wouldn't dismay (and I wouldn't pay $2K for a new rear seat mech).
Local dealer wants to sell me a whole new seat & mechanism for $2k !!!!
Before getting a quote from the dealer, who probably has no such services in the “menu”, or buying a new set from ebay, may I suggest trying to find in your aria an independent service that deals with reconditioning/replacing cars upholstery? They are skilled in taking down and putting back seats.