63 seat track repair

[Michael G.]

My 63 has a seat that doesn't like to slide all the way forward, to the tune of 6 points worth of ops deduct.

I decided to take out the seat and inspect it, but, try getting out the seat bolts sometime when the seat won't go all the way forward

When I finally got the seat out, I noticed that one slide moves just fine. The other slide will traverse all the way forward and back, but not without some assistance from a rubber hammer.

Inspecting the troublesome slide, I noticed that there is some grease inside the "tube", but not in the area directly next to the slide. My first impulse was to lube it, but then I thought maybe there's more to it than that or that there's some recommended lube to keep the interior from smelling like a grease rack.

Anyone know anything about this?

Thanks,

[Edward J.]

Re: 63 seat track repair

Mike, I had the same problem with my 63 seat tracks , I am in the process of recovering the seats and spent quite a bit of time spraying lube and penatrating oil to get them to work. from what I could see it appears to have a inner track the rusts up from not ever sliding the seat into the foward position. a rubber mallet will help when the track is stiff. Keep working at it and they will free up, once the move freely take a small acid brush and grease the tracks.

[Harry S.]

Re: 63 seat track repair

Michael and Ed, I had a similar problem but not as bad. Before I had Knoch cover my bare frames at Carlisle this past summer I restored them.

I used 4 cans of Brakekleen to get the grease out of the frames/tracks. I then had them media blasted and a weld that had broken was repaired. When I got them back I used 8 cans of Brakekleen on the tracks. The tracks did move freely at that point. I painted them gloss black.

I waited to grease the tracks until Knock had finished their part. This saved dirty/greasy hands from touching the new padding and vinyl.

[Joe C.]

Re: 63 seat track repair

My 63 has a seat that doesn't like to slide all the way forward, to the tune of 6 points worth of ops deduct.

I decided to take out the seat and inspect it, but, try getting out the seat bolts sometime when the seat won't go all the way forward

When I finally got the seat out, I noticed that one slide moves just fine. The other slide will traverse all the way forward and back, but not without some assistance from a rubber hammer.

Inspecting the troublesome slide, I noticed that there is some grease inside the "tube", but not in the area directly next to the slide. My first impulse was to lube it, but then I thought maybe there's more to it than that or that there's some recommended lube to keep the interior from smelling like a grease rack.

Anyone know anything about this?

Thanks,

The tracks slide over each other on rollers which are actually small coil springs of about 1/4" diameter. Each inboard and outboard track has about 4 of these roller-springs within it. If the roller-spring breaks apart or becomes worn, it may cock within the tracks causing a bind. The only way to get at them is by bending each track's "stop" so that the upper and lower halves may be fully extended and thereby separated.

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 seat track repair

Joe, that doesn't sound like much fun on a completed seat....unfortunately, whether its caked up crud or a cocked roller, I'm going to have to take it all apart to avoid damage to the vinyl....

Its out of the car, I might as well do it right. Here we go...

Thanks, all

[Stuart F.]

Re: 63 seat track repair

I have never had trouble with the travel on mine (July Build), but I did have trouble with the driver's side not wanting to lock full back. When Knoch recovered my seats a few years back at the Winter Meet, they found one (LR) corner frame weld broken loose. They welded it, but to me they looked so fragile that I still use a 2" x 4" block behind the seat to hold it in the full back position (I am all of 5'8" so I need the full travel). I don't like an SCCA driving position with the steering wheel in my lap and my arms bent near 90 degrees. I like to have my arms more full out with just a little bend at the elbows. Thanks to the adjustment of a 63 steering column and a full back seat adjustment I can achieve that. I think it is learned behavior due to the quick ratio steering and metallic brakes.

Stu Fox

[Michael G.]

Re: 63 seat track repair

I tried penetrating oil in the track. That freed it right up. Its not totally smooth, but, I'd guess that there might be a bit of rust in there. I'll keep oiling it for a day or so, then grease it well when I'm done.

Thanks,