Went to try out the third row seat operation for the first time on my newly acquired '98 v70xc and was abruptly thrust into a new project as the third row seat latch where it locks into the second row seat would not release.
If this ever happens to you you can remove the lock and free the panel this way. A slim jim would not budge the prong up or down from the locked position.
I had to remove the upholstered section to access the locking mechanism and discovered that the cushions and headrests are easily removable and replaceable.
If you'd rather have storage under the deck and be able to restore the seat for re-sale or future use this is the way!
*If you are just trying to free the latch you only have to remove the seat back cushion obviously. See below.
*Also, if you just want storage you don't have to do anything about the latch - it will continue to work as normal without the cushions and headrest and is pretty handy.
The upholstered sections of both the seat back and the base attach to the plywood deck boards the same way. There are upward-facing plastic tines that engage with a wire lip on the cushion at the top of the lifted deck board, or the opposite edge of the deck panel to the hinge. At the bottom edge - by the hinge, there are metal spring detents that press into metal spring clip fittings.
You pull out on the cushion at the hinge side and the metal clips will make a musical "ting" !
Lift the bottom edge out and the whole cushion up at the same time to clear the tines at the top. The main structure of the back cushion is Styrofoam so be mindful not to torque it excessively.
This attachment method is the same for BOTH the seat back and the seat base cushions. The base cushion is a lot less obvious, but keep pulling with your hand directly away from the plywood where you feel the cushion is anchored to the wood panel.
Now if your latch is stuck, take all the brass and all the black screws holding the latching mechanism out. This will release the lock mechanism from the plywood itself and the plastic trim escutcheon on the upper surface of the deck board. Now you should be able to slide the unit around enough to disengage the prong from the seat back of the second row.
(You also have access to the back of the prong itself here - you can pull out a locking cap or plug here, then use needle-nose pliers to squeeze the two tines of the prong mount together and push through the circular hole in it's axle. This did not work for me to release the seat, but I can't tell why (maybe the trim escutcheon was still holding it). I took the prong out this way eventually once I had freed the mechanism and had the escutcheon trim removed.
The headrests can be removed by taking the steel wire retaining clips out and sliding upward. They don't seem to have any retaining tension without the head rest so keep them with the head rests.
Now you have secure locking storage, and (if your latch works) you can restore third row seat capability in a half hour or so.
Or you can keep going and take out everything (seat belts etc.).
I just left the trim with the groove in it and there is the hole where the prong was in its axle barely visible in the groove.
I'm not really sure what is wrong with my latch. There seemed to be a missing piece where the arm from the release lever swept across because it did not move or hit anything. It also did not seem to retract properly as the seat was lowered, despite a silicone lubricating session.
I don't really care that much, tho' it would be nice if that deck panel would stay up on its own! If you use the seat you need that latch though. If anyone has any ideas on the latch aspect let me know!
Hope this helps someone.
Thanks brickers.
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