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Dermechaniker50 Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2018 Posts: 20 Location: Charleston, SC
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Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 3:40 pm Post subject: Rear Seat Bench installation problem |
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I have 1976 Standard Beetle. I am having great difficulty pushing the rear bench seat cushion back far enough to engage the bottom divider cross rail when trying to push the seat down into place. I have come close to pinching fingers when trying to do it. Is there a trick to it?
I am also wondering about the metal tang on the bottom back edge on the drivers side of the seat that looks like it should engage a corresponding locating slot on the body. Perhaps misalignment with this slot is preventing pushing the seat back far enough to get into place? I can't get into a position to see if it is engaged.
I don't recall my '62 or '66 Beetles having this piece. What is it's purpose? Is it necessary?
Frustrated |
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Tim Donahoe Samba Member
Joined: December 08, 2012 Posts: 11740 Location: Redding, CA
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Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 4:54 pm Post subject: Re: Rear Seat Bench installation problem |
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I have a 1974 Super Beetle, and I removed that tang entirely, and the rear seat is still a bitch to get in. I suspect that something changed in the fit of the ‘70s models, as opposed to the ‘60s, because I never had any trouble fitting the back seat when I owned earlier Bugs.
I use a thin wooden wedge sort of tool, as well as a metal scraper, to wedge the seat into the metal front piece.
Tip: don’t try to put the seat in on a hot day. You’ll have a heart attack.
Tim _________________ Let's do the Time Warp again!
Richard O'Brien |
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Ian Samba Moderator
Joined: August 28, 2002 Posts: 4932 Location: 713
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Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 5:40 pm Post subject: Re: Rear Seat Bench installation problem |
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Angle the seat bottom so the front sits in the metal rail first. Then hit the back corners of the seat bottom and it will pop down into place. _________________ All your Buses are belong to us.
Love and good roads!
IN LOVING MEMORY OF ROB CRESS 1968-2012
**ACHTUNG DO NOT USE AA BRAND PRODUCTS OR BUY ANYTHING FROM PACIFIC PARTS INTERNATIONAL IN CALIFORNIA** |
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Dan the workingstiff Samba Member
Joined: July 03, 2006 Posts: 824 Location: Downriver, MI
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Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2021 7:00 pm Post subject: Re: Rear Seat Bench installation problem |
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Ian wrote: |
Angle the seat bottom so the front sits in the metal rail first. Then hit the back corners of the seat bottom and it will pop down into place. |
^^^^^^^this^^^^^^^ _________________ '69 Beetle
'66 FG buggy
My other air-cooled's
'76 IH 1200
'75 IH 1200 |
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Igpoe Samba Member
Joined: February 24, 2019 Posts: 853 Location: South Boston, VA
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Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 3:32 am Post subject: Re: Rear Seat Bench installation problem |
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Ian wrote: |
Angle the seat bottom so the front sits in the metal rail first. Then hit the back corners of the seat bottom and it will pop down into place. |
I found this method last week by accident, works like a charm. Now I must confess that I've been fighting with rear seats in beetles for a mere 51 years _________________ '73 super. |
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Profcucchi Samba Member
Joined: September 03, 2017 Posts: 183 Location: Toronto
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Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 7:09 am Post subject: Re: Rear Seat Bench installation problem |
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Has anyone ever thought about cutting their seat frame to fit better?
I use the slip and hit method, too, but better/faster is appreciated. |
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Lingwendil Samba Member
Joined: February 25, 2009 Posts: 3988 Location: Antioch, California, a block from the hood
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PuddleRainbow Samba Member
Joined: April 13, 2018 Posts: 288 Location: The Dirtiest Of Jersey
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Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2021 12:32 pm Post subject: Re: Rear Seat Bench installation problem |
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I have a 76 also and I HATE dealing with the back seat.
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Angle the seat bottom so the front sits in the metal rail first. Then hit the back corners of the seat bottom and it will pop down into place. |
I don't understand how this would work since there is a tab under the rear passenger seat side that slides into a slot mounted on the frame...
I put the rear of the seat in first. The front will be hanging off an inch or so. Stick your hands between the seat back and bench and pull up while using your knees to push the bench back. Yes, you will be standing hunched over in the back of the car dripping sweat fighting it. It may go in first time or it may take 10 minutes. |
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whobba Samba Member
Joined: March 19, 2002 Posts: 871
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Dermechaniker50 Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2018 Posts: 20 Location: Charleston, SC
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Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2021 4:21 am Post subject: Re: Rear Seat Bench installation problem |
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Thanks for all the feedback! Does anyone know the purpose of the tang and slot? It represents additional manufacturing cost on a mass produced car. VW must have added it for a reason. I would like to know before cutting it off….. |
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H2OSB Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2013 Posts: 1294 Location: Modesto, CA
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Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2021 5:09 am Post subject: Re: Rear Seat Bench installation problem |
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Ian wrote: |
Angle the seat bottom so the front sits in the metal rail first. Then hit the back corners of the seat bottom and it will pop down into place. |
I agree with this. Only way I can get the seat in.
H20SB _________________ (o\_i_/o) I'm not a vegetarian because I love animals, I'm a vegetarian because I hate plants. |
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H2OSB Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2013 Posts: 1294 Location: Modesto, CA
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Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2021 5:13 am Post subject: Re: Rear Seat Bench installation problem |
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Profcucchi wrote: |
Has anyone ever thought about cutting their seat frame to fit better?
I use the slip and hit method, too, but better/faster is appreciated. |
I actually salvaged the stock frames from a car I scrapped to attach VW Scirocco foam and covers to in the hope of ending up with a lighter, more comfortable and easier to get in and out rear seat. I'll let you all know how it goes...eventually.
H20SB _________________ (o\_i_/o) I'm not a vegetarian because I love animals, I'm a vegetarian because I hate plants. |
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IamZardoz Samba Member
Joined: July 21, 2020 Posts: 50 Location: Dallas
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Posted: Wed Sep 29, 2021 3:23 pm Post subject: Re: Rear Seat Bench installation problem |
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I see about zero purpose for that retaining hook. I am thinking about cutting the thing off completely, the seat will surely stay in place without that pain in the azz thing. _________________ 2005 Dodge Ram Hemi Quadcab
2020 Chevy Tahoe |
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Dermechaniker50 Samba Member
Joined: March 26, 2018 Posts: 20 Location: Charleston, SC
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Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 5:25 am Post subject: Re: Rear Seat Bench installation problem |
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I tried the suggested method of placing the bottom front edge of the seat into the support rail first and then pushing the back edge down into place. The seat popped right in with no difficulty!!! This method works. Thanks for the tip!
I have studied the tang on the rear bottom edge of the driver side of the seat and the slot it fits into on the body. The upward curve on the end of the tang and the shape of the slot allows the tang to engage the slot when the seat is pushed down into place. I believe it is a safety device that prevents the seat from rotating out of place during sudden deceleration or a crash. Now that I am familiar with the proper way to install the seat, I am leaving the tang and receiving bracket in place. |
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KTPhil Samba Member
Joined: April 06, 2006 Posts: 34022 Location: Conejo Valley, CA
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Posted: Fri Oct 29, 2021 8:54 am Post subject: Re: Rear Seat Bench installation problem |
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George Carlin:
Tell me to “put my seatback forward...” Well I don’t bend that way! If I could put my seatback forward, I’d be in porno movies!!! |
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