[T3] Unmovable Driver Seat

[donrob at yachtsales.com]

I learned a long time ago that to release a stuck (or pressed, like a 
ball joint or tie rod end)part requires all three things at once: 
penetrating oil (LOTS of it, it WILL go uphill), steady pressure (your 
jack method) and a sharp rap from an appropriate hammer.

The effect of the hammer is multiplied at LEAST 5 times by the steady 
pressure, and vice versa.  Think of removing a steering wheel with a 
puller...  you set up the puller with LOTS of pressure and nothing 
happens... you rap the top of the puller with a hammer and BANG, it pops 
right off.

Don Robertson
905 566-0000 (cell)
donrob at fastmail.com





On 2019-03-08 09:53, Jim Adney wrote:
> On 7 Mar 2019 at 23:34, J. Jonik wrote:
> 
>> I tried but cannot get the driver's seat ('71 T-III) to slide forward
>> or backward...even though the release lever works fine.  Tracks are
>> frozen with rust, corrosion, and time.   Trouble is that, without
>> turning the car upside-down, Liquid Wrench or other rust treatment
>> cannot go uphill to drench the sliding parts.  I used hydraulic jack
>> pushing against heavy lumber in back seat area....and big hammers.   
>> No
>> luck.   Anyone know other tricks?
> 
> Once those tracks have gotten rusty and stuck it's hard to break them 
> loose.
> I never thought of the jack method, but that sounds reasonable. I 
> wouldn't
> expect to be able to break both sides loose at once; concentrate on 
> just one
> side, then the other. And be sure to have the seat released while 
> you're
> doing this.
> 
> I've usually used a very heavy lead hammer, This always works 
> eventually,
> but usually damages the seat base. I suspect that the shock a hammer
> provides may be more effective than the slow force of the jack, but you 
> might
> try leaving the jack in place while you let the oil soak overnight.
> 
> Even though it's "uphill" I think oil will make its way to where it
> needs to go,
> but it will take time. Use something that won't evaporate, so you can 
> let it
> soak in for a couple days, then try the jack or the hammer.
> 
> Once you get the seat free, remove it completely and clean out all the 
> parts.
> Straighten the floor rails, which will be bent, and coat the seat 
> grooves with
> heavy grease.
> 
> I have the plastic slides if you need them.