I just noticed that the latches for my Challenger's bucket seats do not actually latch.
I have had the seats out of the car for many years and after cleaning them and restoring the seat tracks, I am getting ready to put them back in the car.
The jaws of the clamping mechanism inside the upper seat appear to have carved notches in the metal catch bolted to the lower seat. I will attach a photo, but I noticed on other members' photos on seat latches that similar notches are visible.
Do we know what causes this? Is it possible to adjust the mechanism in the upper seat so the latch jaws are not clamped so tight they won't give enough to actually latch the catch? I tried to move the jaws with my finger but they don't budge. Maybe the spring pressure is too high to do that anyway. Pressing the release button on the side of the seat does not appear to move the jaws.
My seat stops are intact - is it possible to adjust them to allow the catch to work better?
My thought is to weld some new metal into the catches to avoid yet another part expense, but this might be pointless if the latch mechanism in the upper seat has to be replaced.
Is it absolutely necessary for the seat catches to work for safety reasons?
Thanks! One more feature to learn about...
I have had the seats out of the car for many years and after cleaning them and restoring the seat tracks, I am getting ready to put them back in the car.
The jaws of the clamping mechanism inside the upper seat appear to have carved notches in the metal catch bolted to the lower seat. I will attach a photo, but I noticed on other members' photos on seat latches that similar notches are visible.
Do we know what causes this? Is it possible to adjust the mechanism in the upper seat so the latch jaws are not clamped so tight they won't give enough to actually latch the catch? I tried to move the jaws with my finger but they don't budge. Maybe the spring pressure is too high to do that anyway. Pressing the release button on the side of the seat does not appear to move the jaws.
My seat stops are intact - is it possible to adjust them to allow the catch to work better?
My thought is to weld some new metal into the catches to avoid yet another part expense, but this might be pointless if the latch mechanism in the upper seat has to be replaced.
Is it absolutely necessary for the seat catches to work for safety reasons?
Thanks! One more feature to learn about...
