'72 Ghia Convert Seat Reclining Mechanism

[kdnguyen61]

Dear Members,

After I replaced my seat covers, I found out my reclining mechanism is not working. I thought it works before I pulled it out of the car. I tested both sides.

Below pics are the driver side reclining mechanism. I twisted it back and forth and it won't move. I don't want to use a big pair of plier to rotate it, I may break something else. I searched within Samba but don't see any post about rebuild the reclining mechanism (or pull it apart). I can see there is a pin there that first knock it thru but and then what?? I think I put the back rest part to the bottom cushion correctly. I think there is only one way to put them together. Thank you in advance for sharing your knowledge.

[kdnguyen61]

I found a post below and at least it gives me some information. I will try to open it up and try to fix it.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=514734

[crocteau]

[kdnguyen61]

Here are some steps that worked for me.

1) Spray WD40 or liquid wrench in the hole and around the plates to losing things up. Wait few hours then use a hole puncher or a 4D or 6D nail to get the original nail off. Take your time and be gentle with it as I don't know where you can get the parts if damaged.

2) Use two flathead screw drivers to pry out the most outer plate. Pry it evenly.

3) Picture below is what you get after pry out the most outer plate. There are two more plates behind it and you can see there is a white plastic bullet sticking out. You can take out the white plastic part to clean including the spring inside. Remember how this two plates are connecting with each other into the groove.

4) Then you will see there is one more plate hanging with a metal tube. Remember that I am working on one side for now. You can pry this plate off of the tube and clean it. You also see four indent holes against the permanent plate with the seat frame. Clean this area up and grease it.

5) The other side will come loose like picture below. Again this side has all the plates like the other side. You can pull them out and clean them (including grease).

6) As you can see below, this side is also needs to be cleaned and grease. You can also see the four indent holes.

7) The rod and tube came out like this. Again you need to clean them up and grease them

To put it all back together, you reverse the steps from 7 back to 1. On first side, align the white bullet plastic part to one of the indent hole (pick whichever hole you want). Then hold one side all plates in, with the other hand you put in all the plates on the other side. Remember to align the plastic white part against the same hole as you did on the other side. For me after I put in all the plates, I put in a 4D nail to lock in all plates and test the mechanism. After everything work fine then I put back in the original nail.

The reclining works ok for me, not very smooth but what you expect for a 50 years old part. Good luck.

[crocteau]

[Marcdeb]

Excellent thread. I don't know how I missed it before today, but I'm really glad I found it. Glad it made it into the stickies.
_________________
Marc
68 Karmann Ghia Cabrio Autostick
71 Karmann Ghia Cabrio

Previously Owned:
2011 VW EOS Hard Top Conv
2008 Saab 9-3 2.0T Conv
2003 Saab 9-3 SE Conv
2001 Saab 9-3 Conv
1998 BMW 3 Series Conv
1997 Saab 900 Conv
1997 Mazda Miata

68 Ghia Vert Survivor with 22,350 miles: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=768107&highlight=
71 Ghia Vert Restoration: https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=726710&postorder=asc