Help removing middle seat rails

[seanybrowne]

Hi, I am currently stripping down the interior of my 1987 Transporter ready to prep it before refitting a complete new interior. I have removed the middle row of seats by simply unbolting them and sliding them off the rails.

However, I need help now trying to remove the rails from the floor of the van. I have undone all bolts which go through the floor and into the chassis if the van but the rails still won't move. I am guessing they have been glued down as they will not move at all.

I considered just laying insulation and a ply base over the top of the rails as they are sitting in a groove on the floor but they are sitting higher than the rest of the floor so the ply will not sit correctly.

I have tried to upload a picture but unfortunately "the board quota has been reached". I'll keep trying however.

Thanks in advanced.

[scoobydrew]

Hi,
Were the seats factory fitted, by this I mean is your van a Caravelle?
From what I can remember when I removed my rails I knocked them out, going from the drivers side out towards the sliding door. I think that they sit into the slots so wont just pull out upwards.

Andy

[seanybrowne]

Thanks Andy,

I'll let you know how I get on tomorrow. Unfortunately my van is kept at my girlfriends house so I don't get chance to work on it everyday. It is a Caravelle however and the seats were definitely factory fitted so I'll give that a try and let you know.

Sean

[Zebedee]

The rails in caravelles usually have a blob of mastic under the rails (where the bolt holes are) to stop any water from getting in.
Just use a paint scraper or thin screw driver to lever them up.

[seanybrowne]

Sorry for the delayed reply,

A bit of scraping with a screwdriver and brute force did the job. They were really stuck down but got there in the end.

Thanks.