As may be seen in the photo, the plastic bracket which guides the release strap has been removed because it broke. I have a replacement in hand, but there is a problem. The leather loop at the end of the strap is too large to fit through the aperture in the bracket.

OK, so I need to remove the bottom panel of the seat to expose the release mechanism and hope that permits me to feed the strap through the aperture.

THE QUESTION: How do I remove the bottom panel to expose the release mechanism? I had a mechanic friend check ALLDATA, but he found nothing. The panel covers the entire bottom of the seat and may even requires seat removal for access; I have done and can do that. I just want to know how the panel comes off.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

Delima. If you take off the the back of the seat, you will still have the same problem. What you need to do is bend the leather strap and 'force' it through the plastic housing, until the leather is completely through.

The fabric part is sewn together around the eye of the release before assembly.

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Keeping it running is better than buying new

OK, I will try that.

Thanks ... and wish me luck.

And here is a photo of the new bracket