Driver seat replacement, what it involves?

[Peter Solarik]

Hello our trusted advisers:
I just burned by accident (cigarete) a hole in my front seat. I need to replace it. I have an access to used, good seat of same color.
As you know, it is powered seat. In order to take it out, do I have to remove some bolts, or just use the seat motor to slide it forward as far as it will go and lift it out? I am really concerned that my wife will notice the hole and 'sh...will hit the fan' (:-( She does not know that I light up sometimes.
I noticed that the seat will slide front by motor power, but I was afraid that it may go too far and I would not be able to put it back on the rails again.
Please advise. I do not have a manual. This case is a matter of life and death, my wife can have really bad temper, esspecially if cigaretes are involved. For now, I put a blanket there and hope that she will not look underneath of it.
The car is Century 2000.
Thank you
Peter - Canada

[tman]

lol at your story, Just unbolt it from the floor and disconnect the connector, reverse the procedure to install the new one.

[Peter Solarik]

Originally Posted by tman2093

lol at your story, Just unbolt it from the floor and disconnect the connector, reverse the procedure to install the new one.

Thank you 'moderator' 'T man'!
But, it is not as simple as you stated. I do not see any bolts at the ends of rails. There are at each end couple of fasteners, which look like rivets. (Flat heads). I guess the manufacturer had to use flat heads, othervise the seat would interfere with bolts, and restrict the back and forward sliding travel. There are not heads like on bolts. Nothing there to grip it with a tool. I checked under the car and that area is covered with sheet metal (part of the underside body). There is not access to those flat head fasteners from underside of the car. I am normaly mechanicaly inclined but this looks to me like a problem. What am I missing?
Any suggestions?
Thanking you ahead - Peter

[Flatrater]

Peter are you sure there isn't like a star shaped opening in the top of those fastners. If they are you need a Torx socket to remove them.

[Peter Solarik]

Nice to hear from you again Flatrater.
You have already hepled me before. This time I am scarred stiff that my wife will notice the cigaret burned hole. Every time she takes the car, I am in very big danger! (:-)
Anyway, you mentioned that those bolts (heads) should have a starr like groves. They don't ! How those guys who install those seats in the first place - managed to tighten those silly flat heads (only 3/8" diameter and only about 1/8" thick)?
Is there such a tool that could get a grip on small surfaces like that? Or should I resort to drill? Perhaps drill a hole about 1/4" right in the center of the head about and use 'easy out' to unscrew them? I can not imagine that this would be the only possible procedure? There is not access from underneath as I mentioned.
Does anybody here have a manual on this procedure?
I can not imagine that the manufacturer would not think of the posibility that the seats would have to be in some cases replaced?

[tman]

In the meantime, put a towel on the other seat so as not to raise suspicion!

[Peter Solarik]

Originally Posted by tman2093

In the meantime, put a towel on the other seat so as not to raise suspicion!

Common Tmann2093, is that all you could advise me? You have a point in suggesting a second towel on the passanger side, I could laugh about your good sense of humour, but this is very serious matter, (no kidding). Looks like nobody knows how to replace the seat.
I know what I am going to do.. I will go to local GM dealer, visit their bodyshop and ask for FREE advice. Hope they will not have the nerve to charge me for that!!!!! If they do, I'll never visit this dealer again.
No bad feelings tman2093, I like jokes. I can even laugh at myself.
Regards
Peter Solarik

[tman]

Pete, you can call me tman, no need to type the 2093 all the time. Or call me Anthony if you'd rather.

BTW, the second towel was a serious suggestion. I'm not sure how to remove the seat, but I was trying to keep you out of marital counseling.

[Peter Solarik]

Originally Posted by tman2093

Pete, you can call me tman, no need to type the 2093 all the time. Or call me Anthony if you'd rather.

BTW, the second towel was a serious suggestion. I'm not sure how to remove the seat, but I was trying to keep you out of marital counseling.

Well, the GM bodyman has showed me two bolts at the end of the tracks that the seat slidis on. They have to be removed, than the seat has to be slided forward, the back rest tilted back as far as it will go (steering wheel interference), than the rear of the seat has to be lifted up and removed from the rails. The guy warned me that this is not an easy task.
I did not notice at first those bolts at the rear, because stupidly, I assumed that the same mounting arrangement would be at the back, I did not slide the seat forward and checked at the back. Now I know.
I am mentioning this just in case that some other guys (with mean and untolerable spouses), encounter the same problem.
For all of you guys, have a nice summer hollidays !
Peter Solarik