Drivers seat

JesusFrEaK0077 · 09-15-2009, 03:04 PM

Hey guys, as some of you know, I just bought a new car yesterday. 2002 Jeep Liberty Sport. Anyway, to the point. My drivers seat is stuck in one position as for the back reclining. It's stuck there, in such an uncomfortable way! Straight up! Yuck. Anyway, does anyone know how I can fix this? The handle was broken off by the previous owner because it was stuck while they tried to force it, obviously that didn't work. But if anyone has any thoughts? Share please!

Thanks,
Rachel.

Ethan.Bassist. · 09-16-2009, 03:43 AM

Was the mechanism broken when the previous owner actually broke the handle? Or was it working and he/she just broke the handle off?

I don't have a lot of seat problem experience.

But! I did just look at the Service Manual for your Jeep! (you can find it at: Jeep KJ 2002 - Liberty Service Manual PDF Secc 23 - Body
you may have to sign up to see it, but I think it would be worth it...you could always delete your account when you're done)
Oh and the page its on is "23-166" about an inch from the bottom.
It shows you the recliner mechanism and how to take the seat apart and off/out of the Jeep. If you could get the seat out and the bottom cushion off or even just the "side shields", it might make it easier to see the problem.

Also, take a look at these pics...I know its a Ford Explorer, but the mechanism might be similar (???):
98 UP Explorer - broken seat recliner handle - Ford Forums

Also, you may be able to find a replacement recliner mechanism online or at a junkyard and replace the whole thing if need be.

If DIY fails, I suppose you could always take it to a mechanic.

Sorry if this is no help at all! I can't tell you how to fix it, but I hope that I helped a little to identify the problem. Because once you know what exactly the problem is, you know whether you can DIY or whether you have to get a new part or take it somewhere. (hopefully someone more qualified can step in and give you some concrete answers!)

Good luck!
Ethan.

JesusFrEaK0077 · 09-16-2009, 10:42 AM

Would a picture do you better justice? To show you how it got litterally sheared off. I'll take one when I get home tonight or tomorrow. Maybe someone can explain it then, because there's probably no way it could have broken without the mechanism being broken. :/

Ethan.Bassist. · 09-17-2009, 12:54 AM

A picture would probably help (and I don't want to get greedy, but if you could take off that plastic panel that the handle comes out of, that would probably expose the mechanism! Apparently its just screwed in), though again, I'm not a mechanic, but I'll do my best and hope someone who has experience shows up!

And if no one replies after you post pics and if I don't reply, don't fret! I'm going to Seattle and may not have a wireless connection, but when I get a connection, I'll definitely give it a gander!

Godspeed.
Ethan.

JesusFrEaK0077 · 09-17-2009, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ethan.Bassist.

A picture would probably help (and I don't want to get greedy, but if you could take off that plastic panel that the handle comes out of, that would probably expose the mechanism! Apparently its just screwed in), though again, I'm not a mechanic, but I'll do my best and hope someone who has experience shows up!

And if no one replies after you post pics and if I don't reply, don't fret! I'm going to Seattle and may not have a wireless connection, but when I get a connection, I'll definitely give it a gander!

Godspeed.
Ethan.

I will take one tonight, I'll take off the plastic panel too. The mechanism is just screwed in, I'll show you how it's busted off too, I have all the parts to do so.
I'll go home and take a picture tonight of it and get it on here.
Thanks for the help! and send someone who has more experience too

.

Thankssss,
Rachel.

JesusFrEaK0077 · 09-17-2009, 07:05 PM

Okay, I took the panel off and got some pictures...
1. There's the handle
2. The gray parts are the pieces that got broken off. It connects the handle to the rest of the mechanism. You can see where they were sheered off.
3. The whole mechanism on the side of the seat.
4. The spring, and in the middle you can see where the gray part has been broken off and the other side of that break is on the handle. It's a very clean break which kind of surprised me.
5. Both the parts

Hopefully these helped a little.

Ethan.Bassist. · 09-22-2009, 01:55 AM

Wonderful! Those pics helped immensely! So yeah, obviously the handle is broken. Assuming the spring mechanism still works and the handle just got sheered off, you just need a new handle. I looked for some sites...this was all I found (granted I only looked for like 3 minutes) Heavy Duty Replacement Seat Recliner Handle Lever Blazer S-10 Jimmy Sonoma Brava - Witty Deals
You might want to ask them if the product will fit your Jeep, but to me, it looks like the same part.
And before you buy, you could probably just pop into a mechanics shop and just have him look at it and give you the best solution. And he might know where to get a replacement. They should just be able to take a quick look because you took off the plastic already so they shouldn't charge you unless they are Ebenezer Scrooge.
If it is the entire mechanism, I would assume that a) it is fixable without having to replace it or b) replacements if needed shouldn't cost too much. But yeah, I think an auto parts store or a mechanic could help you out there!

Good luck! I hope I helped and let me know if you get it fixed!
Godspeed.
Ethan.

JesusFrEaK0077 · 09-22-2009, 02:46 PM

Well, it went to Lithia today, (other issues, recalled part and radiatior fan), and they looked at my seat, told me I needed a new mechanism. Because the other is broken off inside you can not fix it with just a new handle

The seat won't move at all (never did since I got it), I tried twisting the "lever" piece with a screwdriver just to get the seat to recline back a little bit.. it's stuck straight up and down right now. And it wouldn't budge. The mechanic suggested I try doing that again, it can't hurt.

Ethan.Bassist. · 09-22-2009, 03:59 PM

Well shoot. Hopefully the new mechanism won't cost too much! I also might suggest looking at various wrecking/salvage yards for a Jeep Liberty that you could take the seat from. Good luck!
Ethan.

JesusFrEaK0077 · 09-22-2009, 05:50 PM

I'm not replacing the whole seat. I don't want to do that, just the mechanism part. It's about $150 or so for the mechanism. By the way, I don't think the spring works either. I can't even turn it with a screwdriver to move the seat back at all. Soooo oh well. Turns out my fan works :/ apparently. Even though it wouldn't get a reading on a volt meter! It's my heat sensor that's going out. So I'll have to get that replaced. Both parts have been ordered and will be replaced next week. Till then, I can apparently drive it and it'll be just fine. If I blow something, it's THEIR fault!

Ethan.Bassist. · 09-22-2009, 11:48 PM

Well awesome! Glad you're getting it all fixed! Then after you get that stuff fixed, you won't have much else to worry about car wise! (one would hope anyway...) Anyways, congrats!

Ethan.