75 roadster seat issue

[Ross F.]

Hello,
i rebuilt my seats. New foam and covers. They look great. But I must have done something wrong. When I flip the seat backs into the upright position, they don't lock. I don't think the catch is locating into the hole on the metal strap the runs up the seat back.
any ideas?

[Patrick H.]

Re: 75 roadster seat issue

Push the seatback backwards gently and see if it clicks into place.

Odds are that 1) the foam is too thick, and the seat isn't going back far enough, or 2) the stops at the rear corners are too long. Adjust those shorter if the idea above doesn't work.

[Alger R.]

Re: 75 roadster seat issue

You could always remove the bolts holding the lock strap to the seat bottom and see if the strap slides properly and latches in place. If so, set the strap in the locked position and push the seat back and check the fit between the strap attachment and the seat bottom. if the seat strap doesn't quite reach the seat bottom, the you can assume that the bumpers and bumper stops have to be adjusted.

[Ross F.]

Re: 75 roadster seat issue

Thanks for the reply,
I will try that. But won't that result in the seat back "laying back" I'm already hitting the top lid when the seat is pulled al the way back.

[Alger R.]

Re: 75 roadster seat issue

I am not sure of how much additional angle you would get by lowering the bumpers. There would be some but how much I don't know. Hopefully Maybe not enough to hard hit the deck lid. The deck lid does have the two bumpers for that reason. You might also try adding an additional or thicker plastic shim between the lock strap bottom attachment and the seat bottom cushion. (As an FYI, when I replaced the bumpers from my conv top deck lid they definitely showed signs of wear from the seat back bumping them)

[Harmon C.]

Re: 75 roadster seat issue

In ever car when new their was a cloth bag with 1/8" shims to raise the seat back forward.I had to remove all the foam from under where the seat back lock bolts to the bottom seat frame to get my 75 to lock.

[Ross F.]

Re: 75 roadster seat issue

Is there an after market source for the plastic shims. It will lock if I unbolt the strap from the seat base. So I believe a couple shim will do it.

[Harmon C.]

Re: 75 roadster seat issue

The shims should be easy to find from most vendors. They are made of

metal.

[Ross F.]

Re: 75 roadster seat issue

Thanks for the replied.
I did purchase the shims and bag.
Funny story..... they didn't help.
You see there is a front and back when mounting the catch strap to the seat bottom. The loop holding the strap has to be at the back.
50-50 and I'm wrong every time.