Hello all, I bought a NOS rear seat latch to replace my broken one. I figured it would be an easy replace, but alas, it's not :( I am assuming I have to pull the whole seat out and take it apart to install the new latch? I have searched all the threads and I can't find any posts on how to do it. Would really appreciate the help if anyone has done it before. Thanks in advance :)

Scott in Dallas

Ok, I will answer my own question... and yes, I was referring the the latch in the back of the second row seat for folding it down. After studying the situation, I found a solution to installing a new latch WITHOUT having to remove the rear seat or even take it apart. I am posting this to hopefully help the next person who encounters the same situation.

Now BEFORE even thinking about replacing the latch one must remember WHY the latch broke in the first place.... The catches on each end of the seat need LUBRICATING!!!

So... I would use a lithium based spray lubricant and make sure to work the catches back and forth and that the latches EASILY open and close. Once that is done NOW you can replace the very weak plastic latch.

First carefully remove the small plastic bezel that surrounds the latch.
Next remove the top and bottom screws that hold in the latch to the seat back.
Now go sit in the seat and lower the arm rest.

I have to WARN you that even if you are careful you will most likely cut your fingers doing the following, but it beats pulling the seat out.

Now you can stick your hand through the arm rest opening to find the latch. Lots of SHARP METAL in there!
You will have to angle your hand/arm upwards to find it, and it will help if you get your other hand and stick it into the arm rest opening as well up at the top and grab the top part of the seat foam and pull it out towards yourself which will allow your hand more room to find the latch.

As many of you know the latch has TWO cables coming to it from each direction to operate the catches.
Once you locate the latch and cables CAREFULLY pull it down WHILE pulling the seat foam out with your other hand.

Now pull the latch along with the cables through the opening for the rear arm rest.

There is now plenty of room to replace the whole latch, or do like I did and just replace the broken lever which means you don't have to mess with the cables etc.

To do what I did. Get a pair of needle nose pliers and slowly work off the metal toothed retainer.
Next remove the plastic washer.
Now remover the broken latch.
Install the new latch making sure the POST passes through the eyelet of the cables.
Now install the plastic washer.
Now push the metal toothed retainer onto the post.
You can use a small socket the same size as the diameter of the toothed washer to help you push the retainer fully home. I attached the socket to my ratchet to give me more surface area for my hand to push against.

Now you can once again PULL the foam out away from the back and push the latch and cables back into position.
Install the screws and the bezel.

It took me about 20 minutes to do the job ONCE I figured out I could get to the thing through the arm rest opening. I could probably do it again in less time now that I know the routine :)

I hope this helps....

BTW In reference to FDNY Engine 41 now being Squad 41.... That's interesting but I work on Engine 41 in Dallas, Texas, not FDNY :)

Stay safe brother.

Try what Supergoose9 suggests. Avoid trying to remove the seat back. It isn't likely to be easy for you.

I've removed and opened up the seat back. Not Fun. A wire runs from the "knob", down and out and up to a lever on each side. When the "knob" is pulled the lever pushes against a protrusion that releases the latch. (The latch is similar to the ones on the doors which have a protrusion going into the door and is pushed by a lever.)

I use RayS's method. The small "teat" can be moved by finger, if you pull the seat back forward while pressing down on it. I've drilled a small hole in the "teat" through which I've looped fishing line and a pull ring. Ouch. But I guess that's what nipple rings are for.

I haven't tried RayS's suggestion "Engine 41 is now Squad 41 in the Bronx" (whatever that means).
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb, M46 trans, 3:31 dif, in Brampton, Ont.

As Ray says, I think you're talking about the latch in the center of the rear seat. I replaced mine a few years ago without taking the seat out of the car. The new one worked for me.

Here is my vague recollection of the process:
-Take off the plastic trim piece surrounding the latch. (Careful not to break the plastic pieces that hold it in place. I did.)

-Remove the two screws top and bottom that were behind the trim.

-Jiggle the loose latch around until you can pull it free of the seat body. It will flex forward on the two wire housings that run to the outer metal latches.

-Here my memory is a bit hazy, but it should be clear what you need to do. I think there is a metal ring on a plastic post that holds the wires to the latch. I remember bending it a lot to get it off.

Installation is the reverse of removal or whatever Haynes says.

Good luck,
Spencer

I'm assuming you mean the little pull down latch that is in the middle of the rear of the 2nd row of seats that allows the 2nd row of seats to fold forwards. I replaced this. It was difficult, but I did find some help online (not sure where, it was an old post). Unfortunately even after replacing it, it does not work. The good news is if you want to lower the seat, if you climb in from the rear and look on each end of the seat that you want to lower, there is a little round metal teat sticking out. Depress one side with screwdriver and push seat slightly forward. When you depress this little teat, it disengages the latch. Then go over and do the other side and push entire seat back forward. It's not as good as a functioning latch, but it is fairly simple.

ps, Engine 41 is now Squad 41 in the Bronx