[rkd]

My 66 Malibu coupe has what looks to be a 67 seat and rear panels in it.

Taking the seat cushion out and reinstalling it is very difficult, as I cannot push the seat far enough back to hook the wire on and under the floor brackets.

Is this supposed to be this hard?

Is there a diff between 66 and 67?

Can I just grind the brackets shorter?

Any techniques to do this beyond 2x4's and ax handles?

 

[chuckd71]

It can be hard. I gave up on it and just put the seat in place. Has never moved.

 

[rkd]

Thanks.

I think I will grind the brackets next time the cushion comes out.

 

[blm]

The rear seat installs much easier if the front seat/seats are out.

 

[RAMBO]

pull a front seat- get a flashlight- get down on your hands and knees and look in that little gap below the back seat and see how far off the bottom "wire" (rod is better description) is from the floor catch.

It could be that its been bent or something and is not catching- or it could just be a tiny bit off.


Some of the early 66 cars didn't even have the full "catch" bracket on the floor, but rather a shorter less secure one rear facing angle- if you have that one, you may be hitting it and just not realize it because that one releases very easily.

 

[TMIproducts]

Whenever I take the rear seat in and out and pull the front seats out. Its only a few bolts. Then I lay on the floor and use the force of my legs to push on the seat. Basically put my feet at the floor board and push on the seat bottom with my shoulder. It's a PITA, but it always works for me.

 

[Hi-po SS 454]

mine is also very hard to take out. I have actually used a big f'ing screw driver (BFS) to wedge right near the brackets and a rolled up towel where the screw driver lays against the bottom edge of seat and material. Pushing hard the seat goes back and slips up out of the hook. If you don't use the towel you will damage the material. Also you can't be pushing up with the screwdriver with great force or you may break the hook from its weld. Works for me, can't be sure for you.

 

[dogsridewith]

I'm pretty particular about messing w/ original, but first time out I ground some and smoothed and lubed the tongues of the brackets. Carefull under there...nothing is deburred...prolly why factory wanted it never removed.