'55 T-Bird seat rails

G

Grumpy Rick

Senior Member
The seat in my Bird was stuck in one position, and I could not move it.

I now have the power seat out of the car and have removed the bracket/rail assembly, and I find the rails will not slide without help from a hammer. Someone has 'worked' on them before and they have a bit of rust, a lot of paint, and the grease has gone very hard. I also found forced nuts and bolts, and a few missing nuts, even the ball bearings in the slide have hardened grease. The grease in the tubular screw mechanism is hard also. I want to take everything apart and get it done right.

Problem is, I cannot see how to remove the rails from the slides. I was told to bend a tab on the slide, but the only one I see is pretty solid and hard to get anything in to bend it with. I need to take it all down as I can see hardened paint in there as well as nicks on the slides which need to be dressed.

Do I need to take them apart at the rivets, or am I missing something?

Thanks,
Rick
 
Before taking things apart, spray them down good with a solvent like carb cleaner. Usually this softens up and floats away a lot of the solidified grease. Then you may be able to get any remaining stuff with a wire wheel and wire brushes. I can't help you on the disassembly question


Don't spare the solvent
 
They have been soaked with solvent for several days, but still heavy layer of paint , grit, and dings on the rails which should be filed. I want to make sure it does not need to come out of the car again.

Guess I will get out the grinder.

Thanks.
 
I cleaned my rails up with a 140 grit flap wheel on my grinder to get them cleaned up enough to paint. Two cans of brake cleaner and compressed air cleaned out the slides. Then I sprayed them with silicone to get them to function with the seat motor.
 
Even after all that, I still need a hammer to move the rails. I would not be surprised if someone tweaked them in a previous install. There are non factory nuts and bolts that are messed up, and it looks like someone poured paint down the tracks.

I decided not to go after the rivets with a grinder, as it needs to come out from the other side where the metal tab is. I have tried everything I own to bend the tab with no luck.

The new plan is to drill out the hole where the tab is, fix it, then thread the new hole for a set screw to stop the bearings.

As a last resort, if I have to, I will lock the seat in the rear position since it is going to my son, who is taller than me.
 
GR, I'm 5'8", so not all that tall and I need the seat in my '56 all the way back just to get my 80 year old body in the car. Guessing that will be just fine for your son!! Sorry you're having such a problem with the seat hardware. Can't imagine what a 6'3" person would have to do to be comfortable and what Ford was thinking when they designed this so called "luxury vehicle"!!
 
Back atcha RKS. I also am 80, and have shrunk to less than 6' now, but cannot get in the car with the top on, without grabbing my hair to pull my stiff neck down. As I see it, there is no loss to anyone in my family if the seat is locked all the way back.

Gonna wait another day or so, just in case someone reports info about doing this. Then go for it. It's not doing anyone any good as it sits.
 
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