back seat catch

[paultdi]

my back seat is stuck in the up position and the catch to release is feels like its not attached to any thing help as i need to put the seats down and can find no way of doing this any suggestions would be great

 

[highguyuk]

And mine!!! Discovered it today! Tried everything to get the thing down, screwdrivers near the latch etc (from the boot) but nothing.

Help defo appreciated!

 

[Deleted member 20376]

is there a little pin style hook on the inside of the clip where it kicks in place or is it hidden.

 

[highguyuk]

Sorry - dont understand you gaz?

 

[spacel]

I've the same prob. There's a thread called "Rear seat catch" (sorry I don't know how to link to other threads), but even with the descriptions from that thread I've still spent some of Sat morning sitting in the boot with a screwdriver and coathanger to try and release the set-back. It's worse for me as one of the rear-headrest was not in place when the catch broke - so i now can't put the headrest back in place (cos of the slope-y roof-line).

If you get the seat down - pls let me know how you worked your magic.

 

[highguyuk]

I've the same prob. There's a thread called "Rear seat catch" (sorry I don't know how to link to other threads), but even with the descriptions from that thread I've still spent some of Sat morning sitting in the boot with a screwdriver and coathanger to try and release the set-back. It's worse for me as one of the rear-headrest was not in place when the catch broke - so i now can't put the headrest back in place (cos of the slope-y roof-line).

If you get the seat down - pls let me know how you worked your magic.

That's exactly my problem, I have 2 weird looking headrests at the moment

 

[tomp]

The catches are the same on both sides so have a look at the side that works and you should be able to work out how to lift the catch.

 

[highguyuk]

Yeah, did see that. No screwdrivers twisling has helped the cause so far though ...

 

[spacel]

I'll have to give it another go... when it stops raining.

My 2/3 seat is the one that's stuck - I've looked at the 1/3 seat, but it hasn't given me much inspiration. When the seat is fixed in place, there’s not much access available to the catch-that-fixes-it-to-the-car. Not much room for screwdrivering.

 

[lc_allan]

Is all the catch been removed now, does it just pull out?.
Fit the new catch and it might work again

 

[spacel]

The catch (that my hand pulls to release the seat) has come off already. I tried looking down the hole that it left, but there’s nothing there to poke with a screwdriver either!

I haven’t considered that just buying a new handle and just pushing it in place would work. I guess I was thinking the handle works on a pulling-action and things with a pulling-action usually need to be connected together (or nothing would happen) – but it may just clip into place.

I'm going to have to speak with my (unfriendly) Seat dealer.

 

[lc_allan]

Your going to have to get a handle anyway so fit it, see if it works. If not then you can lift it back out again and your back to square one.

 

[spacel]

Yep, you're right.

I was considering the following steps:

i. Prise open seat catch;
ii. Tilt seat forward;
iii. Replace rear head rest;
iv. Tip seat back;
v. "Place" broken handle back in the hole;
vi. Wait ‘til it stops raining;
vii. Dry soggy carpets out;
viii. Sell car.

So no need to buy new handle!

I guess I should do it properly though.

 

[paultdi]

you made me laugh but none the wiser on what 2 do with the seat is criminal to go the dealer there must be a way ?? i tried all the above if you go to the dealer let me know what they do ....

 

[tomp]

Have a look at this thread:

http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=145593&highlight=rear+seat+catch

there are pictures of the handle which should help you work out how to fix your problem. When mine broke I just forced the catch up from inside the boot, there should be enough room between the seat back and the wheel arch to puch in a screwdriver and force the catch up.
Putting a screwdriver down the hole in the top of the seat wont do anything. But if the old handle is not in the way then you should be able to push the new handle into place. (BTW new handle cost me £1 from the dealer)

 

[spacel]

Some good news... I've got the back seat down and replaced the missing headrest!

I did what's described above – but couldn't release the catch with a screwdriver (not enough space between seat-back and wheel-arch – or more likely not enough dexterity on my fat-fingered part) so i made a device to help. I used a length of aluminium dowel that was in the garage that I knew would come in handy one day (about 5mm diameter, 30 cm long) which I bent the last half centimetre 90 degrees to make a “hook”. I bent the other end into a rough “starting handle” shape to get some twisting-purchase.

Sitting in the boot, I poked the “device” between wheel-arch and seat-back. Located the bottom of the catch and twisted. I had tested it on the other seat first (the one that’s not broken) to get the idea.

Once the seat was released, I used long-nose pliers to reach into the seat to remove the piece of plastic rod that had broken off the handle.

I’ve replaced the head-rest (my main priority!). Now I’ll get myself down to the dealer and buy a new handle (as referred to on the post above).

Cheers for the advice.

 

[spacel]

Yay - fixed!!

Replacement part was 68p (must be the cheapest part the dealer sells). The dealer even insisted in coming out to the carpark with me to put the new handle in place - all for 68p!