Standard seat back removal
Posted: 16 Feb 2026, 14:47
Hi, I know this has been covered before, but I need to replace the foam in both the backrests of our standard 1986 seats, which have head rests but no arm rests. At the same time, I would like to wash the base and backrest covers, and thoroughly clean the seat runners and mechanisms, as the seats are so gummed up that they will not slide forward anywhere near enough to remove them, even after lubricating. I can’t even get them close to where the safety catch needs operating. The passenger seat (only) has a swivel base.
i have the new foam, but am having difficulty in taking the backrests off the seat bases. Because I can’t get the seats out, I’m having to work with them fitted.
I saw a post from 2022 which states that you can remove the backrests off by removing the 2 large Allen key bolts on either side of the seat, removing 2 smaller Allen key bolts under the seat rails, and by prying the spring bar out.
I cannot move the spring bar, which seems very firmly fixed, and I cannot find the 2 smaller Allen key bolts under the rails.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated, as I am struggling.
Many thanks, Paul.
i have the new foam, but am having difficulty in taking the backrests off the seat bases. Because I can’t get the seats out, I’m having to work with them fitted.
I saw a post from 2022 which states that you can remove the backrests off by removing the 2 large Allen key bolts on either side of the seat, removing 2 smaller Allen key bolts under the seat rails, and by prying the spring bar out.
I cannot move the spring bar, which seems very firmly fixed, and I cannot find the 2 smaller Allen key bolts under the rails.
Any thoughts would be much appreciated, as I am struggling.
Many thanks, Paul.
