Wobbly Seat

[Courthouse/Tom]

Since getting my 1970,2 door saloon,the drivers seat has been loose where the 2 bolts go into the floor,through the 2 brackets and metal strip plates.Ive tightened the two bolts as much as i can,but the seat is still slightly loose.Are there any other components(perhaps under the floor pan)that ive overlooked ??.
Thanks.

[Dean]

Is it tight? Or are the captivated nuts spinning? Also has the frame holding the cushions come apart somewhere (mine needed re-welding). They are simply held in by two brackets, two bolts through each, one either side.

[mike.perry]

Is the floor flexing? Try an extra spacing washer on top of the bracket.

[bmcecosse]

The seat is intended to stay loose in the 'hump back' brackets - to allow it to tip forward. I wrap a few tuns of black tape round the bar - then tighten down the humps on the tape. Seat is firm - but doesn't tip of course........

[Courthouse/Tom]

Many thanks for your help,and whilst i'm at it,is it ok to swap the passenger seat for the drivers seat ??
Once again,many thanks.

[ASL642]

It's ok, but the passenger seats does not have the forward/back seat adjustment on it (handle at floor level lower centre front of seat) that the passenger one does.

[rayofleamington]

a loose or unstable floor can make the seat feel very 'wobbly'.
Also possible is that one or m ore of the bolts have jammed making it appear they are tight but they have not loaded the saddle clamps properly. If you can move the saddle clamp at all, then the bolts are not tight.

The saddle clamps don't fully clamp the seat frame even when tight - they rely on a reasonable thickness of carpet to push the seat up into the brackets. Therefore if there's no carpet under the seat frame it will wobble a little.

[Courthouse/Tom]

Just had another look,and there isn't any carpet between the clamps and floor,they are bolted through the spacers direct to the floorpan.However,i've tried to unbolt them from inside the car,but can't shift them.Do i need to get underneath/what size socket is required/is it a one man job ??.
Many thanks,again

[chrisryder]

i think they're half inch bolt heads. the nuts under the floor shouldn't turn, but they can turn if they've rusted out or been replaced with plain nuts.

[rayofleamington]

Certainly up to the mid 60's they should have 1/4" Whitworth heads* . I don't think they changed head sizes on the later cars.
If you put some release fluid on them ever day for a few days it'll give the best chance of freeing up a rusty bolt.
Unfortunately it's not unheard of for people to fit non-whitworth bolts, which then jam because the threads are mashed up


* 1/4" Whit = 5/16" BS
There is no imperial AF equivalent, but if you are lucky a slightly oversize 13mm AF spanner may fit as the head size is just over 13mm

[mike.perry]

All the seat bolts are 1/4 Whitworth, BSF threads. It is possible that someone has forced unf threaded bolts into the threaded holes and siezed the bolts. Plenty of Plusgas and do not put too much strain on the spanner. Snap the bolts and you have real problems.
If you do not have 1/4, 5/16, 3/8 Whitworth sockets, open ended and ring spanners you should get some urgently from autojumbles or order from good tool stores

[Courthouse/Tom]

Everyones advice is very much appreciated,many thanks !!.Having now looked at the seat many times,i'm wondering if i'm seeing a problem that maybe doesn't exist. I'm sure i'll soon find out,though,as this Wednesday is Nuffields M.O.T. test.Its the first one whilst its been in my ownership----------------everyones fingers crossed-----------please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

[ASL642]

Just one thought... re the "wobbly" seat. Have you placed the seat on a very flat surface? The back of the seat (the rear legs) should sit flat on the floor. If in the past they have got knocked out of true (or sat on by a"heavier" person) one of them may be a bit uneven. This could cause the wobble. Good luck with the MOT!

[Courthouse/Tom]

Many,many thanks everyone,for your suggestions,thankfully ,it wasn't an issue for my MOTtest,Nuffield passed first time with flying colours !!.
I only wish that i had as much success with trying to find my cars history between 1981-1988 ??. (Reg 6189UI ) .
mANY THANKS, tOM. [frame][/frame]

[chrisryder]

passed without the clutch pedal rubber? you'r mot man is more lenient than mine!

[Courthouse/Tom]

Well spotted,but pedal rubber was in place for MOT test.That photographs about a week previous !!

[welshrat]

Told recently by my MOT chap that they can only fail on a brake peddle rubber, I always assumed that the clutch rubber would be a problem but apparently not.

[IaininTenbury]

Agreed. Apparently a missing clutch pedal rubber isn't a failure, but thebrake one more obviously is...