Front seat won't lock in place

[TonyM]

After re-installing my original equipment front seat in a stock 1937 Ford, I have discovered that it won't lock in place when adjusted. I took the seat out and observed that the seat handle blade was not falling fully in the notch that would hold it in place. I clamped the combination in place and forced the pieces back to their home positions and it seemed I had solved the problem. Got my car running and when backing into my garage the seat let loose. Lucky for me I was able to maintain control of the car.

I am going to remove the seat soon and try and solve this a second time. Have any members experienced this? I used the search feature to look for previous posts, but came up empty. Looking for any help. I guess I can bolt the seat into a single position, but I want to be able to operate the seat as intended. Looking for any help in solving this problem. Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[petehoovie]

After re-installing my original equipment front seat in a stock 1937 Ford, I have discovered that it won't lock in place when adjusted. I took the seat out and observed that the seat handle blade was not falling fully in the notch that would hold it in place. I clamped the combination in place and it seemed I had solved the problem. Got my car running and when backing into my garage the seat let loose. Lucky for me I was able to maintain control of the car.

I am going to remove the seat soon and try and solve this a second time. Have any members experienced this? I used the search feature to look for previous posts, but came up empty. Looking for any help. I guess I can bolt the seat into a single position, but I want to be able to operate the seat as intended. Looking for any help in solving this problem. Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[51 MERC-CT]

Lubrication,Lubrication,Lubrication to all locations that need it..

 

[TerryOH]

There may have been a spring that helped operate the handle into the detentes.

 

[1937sedandelivery]

Here is a pic of the seat latching mechanism on my 37.

 

[petehoovie]

Here is a pic of the seat latching mechanism on my 37.

 

[TonyM]

I clamped it like this and forced the pieces back to what I thought was the home position. It seemed to do the trick so I removed the clamp and re installed the seat. All good for a short drive. When I came home and backed into the garage, the seat let loose. Boy oh boy, but I was on it quick and disaster averted.

 

[petehoovie]

I clamped it like this and forced the pieces back to what I thought was the home position. It seemed to do the trick so I removed the clamp and re installed the seat. All good for a short drive. When I came home and backed into the garage, the seat let loose. Boy or boy, but I was on it quick and disaster averted.

 

[TonyM]

After re-installing my original equipment front seat in a stock 1937 Ford, I have discovered that it won't lock in place when adjusted. I took the seat out and observed that the seat handle blade was not falling fully in the notch that would hold it in place. I clamped the combination in place and forced the pieces back to their home positions and it seemed I had solved the problem. Got my car running and when backing into my garage the seat let loose. Lucky for me I was able to maintain control of the car.

I am going to remove the seat soon and try and solve this a second time. Have any members experienced this? I used the search feature to look for previous posts, but came up empty. Looking for any help. I guess I can bolt the seat into a single position, but I want to be able to operate the seat as intended. Looking for any help in solving this problem. Any help greatly appreciated.
Thanks.

 

[slowforty]

The Tang that locks the seat in place may have broken off, Luckily I found a replacement piece. You may just have to lock it in place or find someone to rebuild the part,

 

[CHuDWah]

I'd also suspect a broken spring - sometimes the break can't be readily seen without taking the mechanism apart. I imagine the spring is a fairly strong one. You might find a replacement at a hardware store, especially an old timey mom and pop shop rather than a big box chain. And yeah, lubricate all the moving parts.

 

[V8COOPMAN]

I'd also suspect a broken spring - sometimes the break can't be readily seen without taking the mechanism apart. I imagine the spring is a fairly strong one. You might find a replacement at a hardware store, especially an old timey mom and pop shop rather than a big box chain. And yeah, lubricate all the moving parts.

I believe that you're also going to find a latching mechanism on the passenger side, controlled by a rod running span-wise under the seat. Need to check that one out, too. Coop

.

 

[TonyM]

I believe that you're also going to find a latching mechanism on the passenger side, controlled by a rod running span-wise under the seat. Need to check that one out, too. Coop

.

Will do.


Thanks coop.

 

[Graeme / New Zealand]

That little spring on the seat lever looks much the same as an accelerator pedal firewall spring.

GB

 

[TonyM]

The Tang that locks the seat in place may have broken off, Luckily I found a replacement piece. You may just have to lock it in place or find someone to rebuild the part,

Yes, the tab or tang that locks the seat in place is very wore down and not square where it should be. The piece will have to be replaced. In the meantime, I will have to bolt the seat in place somehow (without damaging the original equipment).

 

[TonyM]

I believe that you're also going to find a latching mechanism on the passenger side, controlled by a rod running span-wise under the seat. Need to check that one out, too. Coop

.

Latching mechanism on left side only.




I have found that the tab that locks the seat in place is very wore down and not square where it should be. The piece will have to be replaced. In the meantime, I will have to bolt the seat in place somehow (without damaging the original equipment).

 

[TonyM]

The culprit is this worn tab on the seat handle locking mechanism.

Anybody got one laying around? LOL.

 

[V8COOPMAN]

The culprit is this worn tab on the seat handle locking mechanism.

Anybody got one laying around? LOL.

Tony....That piece could be bent-up and drilled out of a piece of strap in a half hour or less.

Coop

.

 

[paul2748]

Is it weldable steel so you can build it up and reshape to original?

 

[convert 40]

Weld it up file the shape you need & re-harden it.


Rick
Napa, Ca.