TheSamba.com :: View topic - Trick to getting back seat to fold down??

Mon Aug 18, 2008 10:45 pm

Just boughtt a 88 westy and can't figure out how to get the seat to fold into the bed position. I tried pulling the black knob located near the center of the bench, while lifting up on the seat and pulling, but it feels like it is still latched tight.

Any suggestions?

thanks

Mon Aug 18, 2008 11:40 pm

You must pull it out just a bit, then lift it up. Sometimes, cargo pinched in the closing process, ie, towel, rope, bungee...can make it more difficult. My 1980 you just had to lift straight up....my 1991 you must pull out, then up a bit....hope this helps!

Also, make sure that the black knob is screwed all the way in... sometimes they can get loose causing probs!

Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:49 am

Smothers,

Welcome to the obsession! OK, photos please or you get no more advice... :wink:

I found with mine (I have seat covers), after pulling upward like an ox, that I need to actually push the seat down a touch, then the knob releases the latch no problem. Took me a while to figure that one out.

Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:52 am

Thanks for the help, ill go out and give it a try.

Will post pics when I get home to North Idaho. Came to the SF Bay area to find one. In Santa Rosa now trying to find a place to put new shocks on. That is turning into a bit of a challenge.

Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:52 am

Thanks for the help, ill go out and give it a try.

Will post pics when I get home to North Idaho. Came to the SF Bay area to find one. In Santa Rosa now trying to find a place to put new shocks on. That is turning into a bit of a challenge.

Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:53 am

Try this...

Lift the seat a bit with one hand, lift the latch in the back with the other hand, pull.... and everything will swing forward and down... at least it's how it goes on mine...

Tue Aug 19, 2008 8:58 am

Smothers wrote: In Santa Rosa now trying to find a place to put new shocks on. That is turning into a bit of a challenge.

If you can find a place to do it yourself, it is a very easy job. The struts drop right down through the coil spring and lower control arm in the front, no need to remove the spring. It helps to be able to raise the lower control arm a bit (with a jack) when removing/installing the struts though.
http://volksweb.relitech.com/frshocks.htm
The rears are easier than changing the oil. It just requires removing 2 bolts. The only wild card is how easy or hard it is to remove the nuts/bolts, if they are not rusted, this task (all 4) should take less than 2 hours.