Driver's seat back looks twisted - by design or damaged? (3 Viewers)

[Super77]

I just noticed for the first time that the seat back on my driver's seat looks twisted. The inboard side leans an inch or two farther back than the outboard side. It's not enough to feel, but when I recently removed the seat, it became apparent from above.

I haven't removed the passenger seat to see whether it's the same, but I'm wondering if the is normal or the seat is damaged? These are not the original seats, so it's possible the rig they came out of was rear-ended, but not likely, since it was still on the road. What's odd is that the angle is present even down by the hinge point. You can see it when the seat is fully reclined.

If the seat was in a rear-end collision, I'd expect the inboard top of the back to maybe be twisted back since the recline hinge is locked only on the lower outboard side. However, there seems to be a twist even down at the hinge. In other words, the rotation axis of the recline hinge doesn't seem perpendicular to the seat, rather than the seat back being twisted. No visible bent metal down at the hinge.

Anyone else notice this on their truck? I know that some coupes have angled hinges to allow rear seat passengers to exit more easily, but this is a 4 door. Or was the same seat used on 2-door models?

 

[Mace]

damaged..

 

[FJACS]

The seat back is easily removed from the base. The side with the recline handle has 2 bolts holding it on. The opposite side uses a pin with a clip - remove the clip first, remove the recline handle mechanism cover and undo the two bolts.

Your problem should be obvious. My guess is the mount/tab for the pin (non handle side) is bent.

 

[micruz60]

Hmm, I wonder if it was in the full recline position and someone climbed over it into the rear cargo area?

 

[FJACS]

I just took a look at some seats I have pulled at the moment.

If someone put the seat back together incorrectly didn’t use the correct stamped holes in the seat back it would end up looking like your seat.

Pop the plastic cover off the recline mechanism and post a photo.

 

[Spike Strip]

The seat frame welds break.

What happened? You gotta tell them hookers to move to the back! That's what Ian McShane would do!

There's a great thread, that didn't get FAQ'd, that has a detailed rebuild of the 60-series seat. Welding and all -- Wish I could find it.

 

[georgebj60]

Mine is a bit twisted too, though not that bad. I was going to swap the back out for a good passenger seat, but I'd be interested if there was a possibility that I did something wrong when I reassembled my seat after upholstery an padding repair.

I'll keep watching this thread to see if you end up posting a photo of the recline mechanism, and compare it to mine.

 

[Super77]

The seat frame welds break.

What happened? You gotta tell them hookers to move to the back! That's what Ian McShane would do!

There's a great thread, that didn't get FAQ'd, that has a detailed rebuild of the 60-series seat. Welding and all -- Wish I could find it.

Winner winner chicken dinner!

Yep, Spike called it. I removed the recline mechanism from the seat bottom thinking there would some adjustment, but nope. Only one way to attach. I started wiggling the seat back to and fro and discovered it had a lot more flex than the passenger side. Looked underneath and saw this:

That's the stamped bracket that has the pin that holds that holds the inboard side of the seat back. After pulling the seat, this is what I saw:

Yep. The entire bracket has broken off the seat frame, which looked like a Pringle as a result of all the flexing. That explains the twisted seat back: the pivot point on the inboard side had moved further back than on the outboard side. No idea if this was an impact, but the welds look pretty s***ty for 80s Toyota, and I discovered that one on the opposite side of this pan had popped free as well. I stripped off the foam and upholstery (somehow mine is not ripped and crumbling) and I have the bracket clamped on for some rosette welds at work tomorrow. Will update with pics when done.

 

[georgebj60]

Wow, good information. I'll have to check mine when I have a chance.

 

[86aggie]

I remember when mine broke. Trying to get something out of front pants pocket and 'bridged' with right shoulder and feet to straighten hip joint. Being built like Baby Huey, the back of the seat gave way...same fix that lasted until I swapped the seats out this summer.

 

[Super77]

Rosette welds on the popped spots. Gotta love having a nice TIG setup at work.

Outboard side of the driver's pan. One of the spot welds had already popped free and another was close to doing the same.

Freshly re-painted and good for another 30 years!

Strangely, the seat back still looks crooked, but less so. Used to be about 2-1/2 fabric stripe widths worth of twist, now it's about 1 stripe width.

My guess is that the foam cushions are a bit cockeyed on the pan and seatback frame after 3 decades of use. Gonna call it an optical delusion and head up to the mountains tomorrow for some snow.