Broken Seat Parts when Trying to Fix Seat Play

[andcunning]

Welp, in an attempt to fix my bottom seat play (it moves a half inch back and forth freely) I managed to break a screw that I can't find on any parts diagrams. There is a bracket that holds a threaded tube that moves up and down the long threaded rod on the automatic seats. When the motor turns on, the threaded rod moves and that pulls the threaded tube up or down. This moves the seat forwards or backwards.

I read this post that mentions tightening the screws that hold the threaded tube down extra tight to stop the play. Someone mentioned tightening them more than they felt comfortable with and then the play stopped, so I did this...

Turns out it didn't help at all, so I tried even tighter with an impact wrench. That immediately broke a bolt.

So, I'd like to buy a bolt to fix my screw up. I'd also like to buy a new threaded tube and see if that will fix my seat movement. I haven't been able to find the part in any parts diagrams. Admittedly, the seat diagrams are hard to read and incredibly dense, but even so, I don't think this part is listed in any of them. Do any of you have a P/N for the bolt? Do any of you know where I can get these tubes to see if that fixes the movement?

Circled is the bracket and the bolts. I only need one of the bolts. Behind the bracket is the tube.

That aside, my driver seat back also moves about half an inch forward and backward. Anybody have any tips on fixing that play... that doesn't involve breaking a bolt again

 

[Mag71k5]

Welp, in an attempt to fix my bottom seat play (it moves a half inch back and forth freely) I managed to break a screw that I can't find on any parts diagrams. There is a bracket that holds a threaded tube that moves up and down the long threaded rod on the automatic seats. When the motor turns on, the threaded rod moves and that pulls the threaded tube up or down. This moves the seat forwards or backwards.

I read this post that mentions tightening the screws that hold the threaded tube down extra tight to stop the play. Someone mentioned tightening them more than they felt comfortable with and then the play stopped, so I did this...

Turns out it didn't help at all, so I tried even tighter with an impact wrench. That immediately broke a bolt.

So, I'd like to buy a bolt to fix my screw up. I'd also like to buy a new threaded tube and see if that will fix my seat movement. I haven't been able to find the part in any parts diagrams. Admittedly, the seat diagrams are hard to read and incredibly dense, but even so, I don't think this part is listed in any of them. Do any of you have a P/N for the bolt? Do any of you know where I can get these tubes to see if that fixes the movement?

View attachment 4072083
Circled is the bracket and the bolts. I only need one of the bolts. Behind the bracket is the tube.

That aside, my driver seat back also moves about half an inch forward and backward. Anybody have any tips on fixing that play... that doesn't involve breaking a bolt again

The seat gears are probably toast, you can search youtube on how to rebuild them.

For the bolt, just take the good one to a hardware store, and find tbe correct thread pitch and bolt size, you may have to cut it down to size.

Thats what id do at least.

 

[andcunning]

The seat gears are probably toast, you can search youtube on how to rebuild them.

For the bolt, just take the good one to a hardware store, and find tbe correct thread pitch and bolt size, you may have to cut it down to size.

Thats what id do at least.

I replaced the gears. I believe the issue is the threaded tube in the bracket I circled above. As for using a HW store bolt, def can do that. I did just want to try to use OEM parts whenever I can, so was hoping someone had a PN for me so I could replace the bolt with an OEM bolt if possible.

 

[Cruiserlab]

Yes, that rod could wear, no I don't think it has worn. Not when your seat moves 1/2 of an inch. But it looks like your seat base has had a hard life already, based on the repair job. The motor would likely just spin and do nothing if that were the case.

I don't see that as a part. It looks to part of the seat track assembly.

The hardware on these rigs is JIS spec, not something (usually) sold at hardware stores. Additionally, Toyota used a distinct head design. This is probably the best place to easily find the hardware you need. Should be M8x about 15-20mm.

OEM part 9165140820 should work, but I have not verified. https://partsouq.com/en/search/all?q=91651-40820

 

[andcunning]

Yes, that rod could wear, no I don't think it has worn. Not when your seat moves 1/2 of an inch. But it looks like your seat base has had a hard life already, based on the repair job. The motor would likely just spin and do nothing if that were the case.

I don't see that as a part. It looks to part of the seat track assembly.

The hardware on these rigs is JIS spec, not something (usually) sold at hardware stores. Additionally, Toyota used a distinct head design. This is probably the best place to easily find the hardware you need. Should be M8x about 15-20mm.

OEM part 9165140820 should work, but I have not verified. https://partsouq.com/en/search/all?q=91651-40820

Overlandmetric is an amazing resource! Thank you so much for this!!!

Do you have any ideas what is causing the base and back to move as much as it is?

 

[Cruiserlab]

Do you have any ideas what is causing the base and back to move as much as it is?

First, may I ask why the seat track/base was welded? Did it break? Was it like this when you got it? Was the PO 400 lbs? If yes, then that may explain the slop

 

[Cruiserlab]

Oh wait, I just looked at the thread you linked and saw the same picture, so the pic posted is not your seat? Disregard my last comment if so. Do you have a pic of your seat?

 

[andcunning]

First, may I ask why the seat track/base was welded? Did it break? Was it like this when you got it? Was the PO 400 lbs? If yes, then that may explain the slop

This is actually someone elses photo (I put the seat back in last night and was so mad about the broken bolt I didn't grab a pic), but my seat looks exactly like this, and I've looked at a few other photos of LX450 seats with the same welds. I thought it was a repair at first until I found other photos with the same welds.

 

[andcunning]

This is actually someone elses photo (I put the seat back in last night and was so mad about the broken bolt I didn't grab a pic), but my seat looks exactly like this,

Oh wait, I just looked at the thread you linked and saw the same picture, so the pic posted is not your seat? Disregard my last comment if so. Do you have a pic of your seat?

and I've looked at a few other photos of LX450 seats with the same welds. I thought it was a repair at first until I found other photos with the same welds.

I can take one after work. Just need to pull the seat back out. My LX is my daily, so I got the seat back in last night.

 

[Cruiserlab]

This is actually someone elses photo (I put the seat back in last night and was so mad about the broken bolt I didn't grab a pic), but my seat looks exactly like this, and I've looked at a few other photos of LX450 seats with the same welds. I thought it was a repair at first until I found other photos with the same welds.

Ok. I did not realize that. I was going "how would you break that and not destroy all the plastic bits first"

 

[devo]

That hex head should be easy to source.
For the seat gear there is really only one vendor, Gamiviti seat parts — Gamiviti - https://www.gamiviti.com/seatparts

 

[andcunning]

That hex head should be easy to source.
For the seat gear there is really only one vendor, Gamiviti seat parts — Gamiviti - https://www.gamiviti.com/seatparts

Is the gear what's introducing the slop? I just had the gears replaced at a shop when I was having the heater hoses replaced. Maybe they just didn't do it? It looks like the threaded tube on the back in the above circled photo, but I could be wrong. Gamiviti doesn't sell that threaded tube though, just the seat gears. Are there gear issues for seat backs as well? I have slop there too.

 

[Cruiserlab]

I think you could unscrew that bracket (just one bolt now ) and wiggle it and see if there is any play between it and the threaded rod.

 

[Malleus]

Welp, in an attempt to fix my bottom seat play (it moves a half inch back and forth freely) I managed to break a screw that I can't find on any parts diagrams. There is a bracket that holds a threaded tube that moves up and down the long threaded rod on the automatic seats. When the motor turns on, the threaded rod moves and that pulls the threaded tube up or down. This moves the seat forwards or backwards.

I read this post that mentions tightening the screws that hold the threaded tube down extra tight to stop the play. Someone mentioned tightening them more than they felt comfortable with and then the play stopped, so I did this...

Turns out it didn't help at all, so I tried even tighter with an impact wrench. That immediately broke a bolt.

So, I'd like to buy a bolt to fix my screw up. I'd also like to buy a new threaded tube and see if that will fix my seat movement. I haven't been able to find the part in any parts diagrams. Admittedly, the seat diagrams are hard to read and incredibly dense, but even so, I don't think this part is listed in any of them. Do any of you have a P/N for the bolt? Do any of you know where I can get these tubes to see if that fixes the movement?

View attachment 4072083
Circled is the bracket and the bolts. I only need one of the bolts. Behind the bracket is the tube.

That aside, my driver seat back also moves about half an inch forward and backward. Anybody have any tips on fixing that play... that doesn't involve breaking a bolt again

The individual components of the seat assemblies, excepting the motors, were never available as maintenance spare parts. This is why Gamiviti had to make gears; Toyota never intended to sell them separately from the seat assemblies.

However, the power seat components are either the same or similar for every related year model Toyota. You should be able to find what you need in any 90's year model sedan or truck, if you can find one of those with power seats. Make a trip to your local salvage yard and have at it.

While you're there, get the switch assemblies; they are the same for every 90's power seat. You'll have all the spare parts you could ever want.

 

[andcunning]

I think you could unscrew that bracket (just one bolt now ) and wiggle it and see if there is any play between it and the threaded rod.

Did that last night, and def felt the play, which is why I was wondering if anybody had run into that, but it seems like I’m special…

Consequently, Gamiviti hadn’t ever run into the seat back slip issue I have. Looks like I will have a fun weekend of taking my seats apart and doing some investigating.

 

[ppc]

Did that last night, and def felt the play, which is why I was wondering if anybody had run into that, but it seems like I’m special…

Consequently, Gamiviti hadn’t ever run into the seat back slip issue I have. Looks like I will have a fun weekend of taking my seats apart and doing some investigating.

The slop is coming from the plastic "bushings" in the bracket that ride ride on the "threaded rods". In your case they might be totally destroyed with that much movement. You can try shimming those plastic pieces or the bracket ears can be bent closer together.

I also have had some success by loosing both brackets and adjusting them to be "pigeon toed" so the rods travel something other than 90 degrees through the plastic.

 

[andcunning]

The slop is coming from the plastic "bushings" in the bracket that ride ride on the "threaded rods". In your case they might be totally destroyed with that much movement. You can try shimming those plastic pieces or the bracket ears can be bent closer together.

I also have had some success by loosing both brackets and adjusting them to be "pigeon toed" so the rods travel something other than 90 degrees through the plastic.

That’s incredibly helpful! This is exactly what I was thinking. Are there no sources for these bushings? Seems like something someone could make easily. I’m also assuming this would be the issue with my seat back as well?

May have to hunt at a junk yard and find some that are in decent shape. Seems like something a fab shop could make from brass or something as well.

 

[ppc]

@andcunning, Took another look at one of the rods. You really can't replace the bushing because it threads through the plastic but the rod has stops welded at each end. Take the rod out completely and you will see where the movement is. In my case there is very little front to back movement within the bracket but the right/left has much more movement

 

[andcunning]

@andcunning, Took another look at one of the rods. You really can't replace the bushing because it threads through the plastic but the rod has stops welded at each end. Take the rod out completely and you will see where the movement is. In my case there is very little front to back movement within the bracket but the right/left has much more movement

Thanks for all the insight. I’ll pull the seat apart this weekend and report back. I need to install my land tank seat extenders anyway, so may as well figure this out too.

 

[andcunning]

Just went to the junkyard today and picked up some parts and some bolts to try and fix this. I grabbed some 4Runner bolts and the spacers on them from the same location. With the spacers they come with, the bolts work perfectly. That plus some wiring harness clips off a Celica that are the same as in the LX were all 3 bucks. Not a bad morning.

After taking the seat off, I found a few things going on:

1) There is a bit of play on the brackets circled above. I made them a bit pigeon toed and this worked perfectly.

2) The rubber gasket holding the “bushing” is torn. I need to order some higher strength glue to glue it back. It prevents the “bushing” from wiggling within the metal bracket.

3) The metal bracket that holds the bushing had a bit of play despite the gasket. I bent it in a bit with channel lock pliers. Here’s a photo of the bend work. You can see the torn gasket in the first photo.

The seat back has no play come to find out. The play from the base was so extreme it made the seat and seat back move.

Sorry for the delay! The freeze in Austin had me moving a bit slower than normal.