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Discussion Topic:
1937 Ford Front Seat won't lock into position
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TonyM |
07-23-2022 @ 4:19 PM
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Member
Posts: 458
Joined: Sep 2010
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After re-installing my original equipment front seat in a stock 1937 Ford Fordor, I have discovered that it won't lock in place when adjusted. I took the seat out and observed that the seat handle blade was not falling fully in the notch that would hold it in place. I clamped the combination in place and forced the pieces back to their home positions and it seemed I had solved the problem. Got my car running and when backing into my garage the seat let loose. Lucky for me I was able to maintain control of the car. I clamped it like this (see photo) and forced the pieces back to what I thought was the home position. It seemed to do the trick so I removed the clamp and re installed the seat. All good for a short drive. When I came home and backed into the garage, the seat let loose. I am going to remove the seat soon and try and solve this a second time. Have any members experienced this? I used the search feature to look for previous posts, but came up empty. Looking for any help. I guess I can bolt the seat into a single position, but I want to be able to operate the seat as intended. Looking for any help in solving this problem. Any help greatly appreciated. Thanks TonyM . . . 78-730B
This message was edited by TonyM on 7-23-22 @ 4:20 PM
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carcrazy |
07-23-2022 @ 11:52 PM
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Senior
Posts: 1670
Joined: Oct 2009
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Here are some things you can do to make the seat move easily and lock into position properly. Make sure the spring exerts enough force on the locking tab to keep it firmly engaged in the notch in the track. Sometimes you can wind the spring up one additional revolution to accomplish this. Lubricate the tracks so the seat moves freely in the fore and aft directions. Make sure the runners are parallel to and level with each other.
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TonyM |
07-24-2022 @ 12:57 PM
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Member
Posts: 458
Joined: Sep 2010
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Thanks friend. The seat moves freely. The seat had been lubed properly. No problems there. The problem is that the adjusting handle tab just won't fall into its slot and lock the seat. I am going to examine the handle spring. Thanks a lot. . . . 78-730B
This message was edited by TonyM on 7-24-22 @ 12:58 PM
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TonyM |
08-02-2022 @ 11:02 AM
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Member
Posts: 458
Joined: Sep 2010
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Not a lube problem. The seat mechanisms were properly lubed several years ago when the trans came out and operate freely in either direction. The seat rails and tracks do not appear to be damaged in any way. The problem is a broken/wore out piece. I have found that the tab that locks the seat in place is very wore down and not square where it should be. The piece will have to be replaced. In the meantime, I will have to bolt the seat in place somehow (without damaging the original equipment). Thanks to all who helped. . . . 78-730B
This message was edited by TonyM on 8-2-22 @ 11:03 AM
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TonyM |
08-04-2022 @ 2:57 PM
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Member
Posts: 458
Joined: Sep 2010
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Here is the part that has failed. Anybody have one laying around? haha. Looks like it could be reproduced fairly easily, I guess. Would like to at least see an undamaged example to get the correct dimension for that tab. Not sure how much of it is gone.
. . . 78-730B
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carcrazy |
08-04-2022 @ 9:21 PM
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Senior
Posts: 1670
Joined: Oct 2009
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This part shouldn't be too difficult to fabricate if you have a bench vice, a hacksaw and a drill. Measure the thickness of the metal and go to your local ACE or other hardware store to purchase some flat steel stock of the correct thickness. Saw it to the correct width and length dimensions. Bend the piece in the vice to the correct configuration and drill the through holes so they line up with each other. Simply install your new part on the seat frame and you are good to go.
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JayChicago |
08-05-2022 @ 8:13 AM
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Member
Posts: 484
Joined: Jan 2016
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Looking at your first pic, seems the stop arm was engaging the rack at the very tip of the stop arm and over the years some material got warn away. I suggest: just bend that arm slightly so it will engage the rack where it still has good material. Then it will probably work fine for another eighty years.
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TonyM |
08-17-2022 @ 11:41 AM
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Member
Posts: 458
Joined: Sep 2010
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Material was added to the worn down tab. The seat adjustment assembly was reinstalled and the seat appears to work fine. Thanks to all who helped.
. . . 78-730B
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