Seats 6 & 7 - removal & reinstallation

[discomarsh]

I'd like to remove seats 6 and 7 from the boot of my D2a for extra cargo space. I have noticed that each seat has a large spring between the two mounting bolts.

Do I risk losing the tension of these springs if I remove the seats?

If so, how do I re-tension the springs to reinstall the seats and have them operate as before?

(The Disco will resume school bus duties after summer, so all 7 seats will be required.)

Cheers,
Discomarsh.

[Pedro_The_Swift]

Doesn't the RAVE cd cover this?

and no,, I think its just a single bolt.

[TJS-70Y]

There are 4 nuts, 2 above and 2 below the spring. 13mm IIRC. The spring will push the bottom mounts out a bit. I havent tried to put mine back in but you should be able to push it around and get it back on.

The haynes manual covers it although it says they are torx bolts.


Thomas

[discomarsh]

You're right, Thomas. I meant to say 2 mounting brackets.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2009/11/286.jpg

[DI5CO]

I have taken mine out & put them back in, 5 min job, very easy. you wont lose the spring tension or anything. It actually moves quite easy. its only when the seat is bolted in & moved into the seat position is when the spring loads. makes it easy to lift & store.

Dave.

[simonl8353]

Dave,

Did you use a spring tensioner tool to retain the springs in place as described in RAVE or just unbolt them?

[DI5CO]

Hi Simon,
No nothing. Just unbolted them. They slip straight out & straight back in. I haven't seen the RAVE instructions, I just undid them. Mine had been taken out by the previous owner, so unless they have done something wrong when taking it out & putting them back, I don't know.

[CJT]

I took mine out last week and lost one turn on the spring.

You can make up this turn by hand when you re-install.

Mine had not been removed since new.

[CJT]

I put one of the rear seats back in on the weekend.

One thing I found out, do not put the nuts on the lower studs. I overtightened them and snapped the weld on one of the nuts. Had to remove all the trim and take out the metal seat support to reweld the nut on.

Not all bad though, it gave me an excuse to buy a welder......

[Barefoot Dave]

Same same.
Pretty easy job.
Bearing in mind that the spring will want to push the plate away from the bracket at the bottom, don't fight it.
Loosen the top bolts first, leaving 1-2 turns on the thread. Remove bottom bolts fully, then the top bolts.

When re-installing, locate the bracket with the top bolts. Again,1-2 turns. It is then really easy to apply downwards and inwards pressure on the spring to flatten it against the bracket.
Screw bottom bolts all the way in (not fully tight), then top.
Lastly fully tighten bolts to spec.

Hope this helps.
Dave.