Has anyone disassembled the front seats?

[Mugello]

As title suggets, anyone in the forum diassemble the whole front seat? I was hoping to look at the reclining mechanism as it has developed a problem. I am not sure I want to force it back as others have doe - althought ultimately it may come to that.....
Many thanks.

[mab01uk]

I have posted some pdf files from 'Modern Mini' magazine in the Link below which should help (you may need to register with MiniTorque.com to be able to read them):
Post No.5
Does anyone know?

It is fairly difficult to get into the rachet mechanism..........if you want a good used seat complete or just the frame mechanism try:

MiniMatt|BMW|MINI|Modifications|Parts|Spares|Servi ce|Tuning|Repairs|Racing

or

Mini Spares Uk - Minispares UK

[Mugello]

That's great. Thanks for that -I will now have a go!

[Mugello]

Quote: Originally Posted by mab01uk (original)

Glad you fixed them...............did the Modern MINI pdf guide help? Can you add any diy hints or part numbers/costs?

(1st Gen Facelift seats should fit no problem but 2nd Gen MINI seats use different connectors for seat airbag and seatbelt pretensioner wiring).

Thanks mab01UK - the DIY was only possible because you posted up those pdf
The part no for upper frame is M52.10.7.124.053 for our MINI 2002 model. It cost 148.65 +VAT with a discount = £178.
Removing the lumbar support adjuster handle was a real pain and I think it helps to wind the handle fully clockwise before PULLING HARD.
The difficult part was refitting the lumbar support mechanism. I did not have any equipment to stretch the barrell springs so I had a helping hand from my wife. We used strong string and formed a loop - actually 3 loops per spring hook so hand did not get too painful. By putting our feet against the frame and pulling on the strings looped on the sping we stretched the 2 springs on the opposite sides of the frame simultaneously and managed to fit the spring onto the frame of the lumbar support mechanism (difficult to explain very well but if one tackles this DIY it will be self-evident).
Many thanks again!

[SiBradbury]

Both myself and my mate have used the 'bodyslam method' to fix the recline mechanism on our Mini's. It totally works

[Mugello]

I tried but probably not hard enough. Didn't want to damage the lower frame as well.... I now have working recliner!

[SiBradbury]

Mine was totally knackered so it was a 'do or die' operation! Me and a mate both bodyslamming the seat (to the point where he ended up falling into the back of the car!) worked a treat!