[PhireSideZA]

Hi everyone,

Here is a Tuesday morning (or afternoon...) cracker for you all to think about.

Recently my seat has been making an annoying clunk sound sometimes when turning or accelerating away from a stationary position. The best way to describe it would be a dull thud, almost like the sound of someone knocking on a solid wooden door. This happens at random but I can more or less emulate it by pulling away while stationary or quickly turning left and then right again.

I checked the four mounting bolts and they are all solid as can be. If I rock the seat by holding onto the backrest and moving it forwards and backwards or side to side I can visibly see the seat base move along with the abovementioned sound.

My thinking is an issue with the seat rail(s) as they might have too much play in them? I was contemplating swopping the left and right side front seat rails around but I am not sure whether that can be done and whether it will solve anything and for how long.

Has anyone else had this or a similar issue before or is this something I would need to have a look at myself? Also, the aftermarket warranty said it is non-essential to the car's driveability so they refuse to have it looked at

Thanks!

[Dazzler]

Doesn't  sound real safe! Something is loose, but hard to diagnose by remote control!

[Shambles]

Sure the sound is from the seat and not further beneath the car (eg, exhaust bracket) ?

[PhireSideZA]

Definitely the seat. Which is a first, because usually I'd suspect everything else in the car before I find the offending item

I might try remove it this weekend and see if I can see anything wrong or out of place. The giveaway is the seat base that moves quite a bit; the passenger seat for comparison is relatively stable and solid. It might be a good thing, too - I've been wanting to take the seats out to give it a good clean underneath for a while now

[Dazzler]

Sounds like a plan, if it's loose then it needs fixing Pronto

[Phil №❶]

I would be more inclined to repair whatever is wrong with the seat rather than swap rails. No guarantee that they are interchangeable.

[AlanHo]

Do you need to take precautions with the air bags - just a random thought?

[Asterix]

Do you need to take precautions with the air bags - just a random thought?

If you want to remove the seat, disconnect the battery before pulling apart the plugs under the seat.

[PhireSideZA]

Do you need to take precautions with the air bags - just a random thought?

I would to be on the safe side. I don't think the bags would deploy if the ignition isn't on (I've seen plenty of stationary cars hit head on with no deployment), but rather than take a chance and save a minute of effort I'd lean towards doing it properly and disconnecting the battery. I think the sound of the airbag deploying would give me a heart attack in any case

I'll try and remember to take some pics as well. I'd be keen to see what goes on underneath and inside the seat itself, just for interest's sake

[Dazzler]

Do you need to take precautions with the air bags - just a random thought?

Yeah, I'd be wearing a condom if I were you Phil (it would offer some protection)