Seat track ?

[Wayne P.]

I have my driver seat out .
I would like to clean the tracks and replace the roller springs .
Can the tracks be taken off without taking the upholstery off ?

[Bradley D.]

Re: Seat track ?

I have my driver seat out .
I would like to clean the tracks and replace the roller springs .
Can the tracks be taken off without taking the upholstery off ?

Yes, its easy. That is for a 67, not sure what year you have. The tracks unbolt from the frame and then you can separate the tracks. You may have to hammer a 'stop' on the track to get them fully apart and then 'reset' the stop with a punch.
Hope this helps

[Joe C.]

Re: Seat track ?

The '67 track is different from the '63-'66. The '67 stop is a dimple that can be flattened with a ball peen hammer and the earlier tracks require bending a tab out of the way, and then re-bending after completion. The '67 tracks use steel ball inserted into nylon blocks between the inner and outer rails, where the earlier ones use springs instead of balls.

Wayne,

Yes you can separate the tracks without removing the upholstery. Be advised that replacement springs are smaller in diameter than the originals and will result in looseness/rocking when you're sitting in the seat.

[Wayne P.]

Re: Seat track ?

Thanks. 1964
I ordered stainless springs. Is the rocking from side to side or up and down ? These are the ones I ordered .

http://www.corvettepartsworldwide.com/Corvette_Parts_63_66_Seat_Track_Spring_Bushing_S_p/37274.htm

I also read a post mentioning a replacement for the springs would be ball bearings
Thanks for the responce .

[Gary B.]

Re: Seat track ?

Wayne,

When I restored the seat tracks for my '66, I switched to (3/32"?) ball bearings, which eliminated the the potential rocking problem with the undersized replacement springs. If memory serves me correctly, the ball bearings are a few thousands in diameter larger than the original springs, so I had to spread open the slotted track tube to get them to slide without binding.

Gary

[Joe C.]

Re: Seat track ?

Thanks. 1964
I ordered stainless springs. Is the rocking from side to side or up and down ? These are the ones I ordered .

http://www.corvettepartsworldwide.com/Corvette_Parts_63_66_Seat_Track_Spring_Bushing_S_p/37274.htm

I also read a post mentioning a replacement for the springs would be ball bearings
Thanks for the responce .

The movement is slight, is in the fore-and-aft direction, and, for me, only happens if I try to rock the seat.

If you don't mind, and if you have a micrometer, please measure the old and the new springs and post the results.

[Wayne P.]

Re: Seat track ?

I'll measure spring if I can get the track off. I took the back stop off. Now I have to figure out how to get the locking device out of the way so the track can fully slide out.

[Gary B.]

Re: Seat track ?

...If you don't mind, and if you have a micrometer, please measure the old and the new springs and post the results.

Joe,

My notes from 2009 list the following:

Original Springs: OD = 0.210"; ID = 0.108"; wire thickness in radial direction = 0.051"
Repro Springs: OD = 0.206"; ID = 0.146"; wire thickness in radial direction = 0.030"

Not only is the spring OD larger on the originals, but the cross-sectional wire geometry is very different. The originals have a non-circular wire, with the radial wire dimension much larger than the axial dimension. I searched high and low to try and find springs that would match the originals, and even talked with one spring company about custom springs. I did ever make a note of the quote, since it way too expensive.

The balls bearing I eventually switched to were 7/32" = 0.219". Eleven ball bearings replace each spring. Since the ball bearing OD is slightly larger than the original spring OD, I had to spread open each slotted tube ever so slightly so that the tracks wouldn't bind when slid. You can adjust the inner diameter of the slotted tube to get whatever feel you want when sliding the tracks, from too tight to too sloppy.

Gary

[Wayne P.]

Re: Seat track ?

Here are a couple photos . I noticed the seat welds were cracked in several places. Mig welded back togeather. I was thinking of using shim stock under springs to bring up to proper snugness in tube. I had the spring break in a couple places.

[Wayne P.]

Re: Seat track ?

Gary :Would you remember how many ball bearings you used ? Seems USPS lost my springs

[Gary B.]

Re: Seat track ?

Gary :Would you remember how many ball bearings you used ? Seems USPS lost my springs

Wayne,

I'm pretty sure that it takes 11 ball bearings to replace each spring, so you need 88 ball bearings to do all 4 seat tracks, with 2 spring channels per track. I think ball bearings often come in a box of 100, so one box would do the trick.

Gary

[Wayne P.]

Re: Seat track ?

Just got my ball bearings will try to install this weekend. here is a pic for interest .

[Gary B.]

Re: Seat track ?

Wayne,

Don't forget that you probably will have to spread open the frame tube ever so slightly, since the diameter of the ball bearings is slightly greater than the diameter of the original springs.

Gary

[Philip C.]

Re: Seat track ?

Just got my ball bearings will try to install this weekend. here is a pic for interest .

Hi Wayne I would be real interested in how you got the seat sliders out, without unriveting the front seat legs from them. Phil8063

[Wayne P.]

Re: Seat track ?

Philip I took what looks like a rivet out of the pivet point for the seat lock if that is what you mean . I will most likely replace with a bolt washer and nylon insert nut.