Seat Change - Help please

[pikefly]

Just bought some "deluxe" seats for my S3. Base slid straight in but how to replace the back rest?
I cannot get the pins out of the old seat (the ones which act as a hinge). I thought they screwed in/out but despite using everything but stilsons they won't budge. Rusted in?
The new back has no pins.
Any advice gratefully received.

 

[jamesmartin]

part of the seat back

 

[steve2286w]

The outers use the special bolt, the new seats you need to feel for the hole covered by the vinyl
The middle seat has the lugs sticking out and remove by bending the bracket out of the way , easier if outers off first

 

[pikefly]

Outer set driver's side. There is no bolt. Just the pin with a cotter pin hole. I can feel a "hole" through the new back so there looks to be a bolt to fit - part number 331709 - but any ideas what size?
Many thanks.

 

[rob1miles]

On my old seats the pins are welded in. As said above; I think the replacements sometimes use bolts. Dia should be as per hole in base (1/4, 5/16?) and about 1" long with a nylock.

 

[dag019]

On my old seats the pins are welded in. As said above; I think the replacements sometimes use bolts. Dia should be as per hole in base (1/4, 5/16?) and about 1" long with a nylock.

On my replacements there was a threaded hole (guessing captive nut) in the seat behind the vinyl. I carefully cut a hole in the vinyl over the hole, and then kept trying bolts form my miscellaneous box of af stainless bolts until I found on the correct size. I know that doe snot help OP but it does not need a nut, the bolt goes through the bracket and screws into the hole in the seat back.

 

[rob1miles]

Then there's a good chance its 1/4 unf. That would have a 7/16 head.

 

[steve2286w]

It’s a special bolt with a larger dia plain bit where it goes through bracket

 

[rob1miles]

How right you are:
https://pablanchard.co.uk/Shouldered-Bolt-for-Seat-Back-331709
e-bay seller has picture:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272302302182
:

 

[steve2286w]

That’s expensive off eBay phew

 

[Blackburn]

6mm bolts in my seat deluxe backs these where after market ones over 10 years ago.

 

[rob1miles]

From bitter experience my guess is that the e-bay price is around 10p less the it works out from Blanchards or Craddocks etc once you add the P&P and VAT. I think that's how they price. It makse sense to save up for a decent order and get free P&P, but for one or two items the e-bay prices are often best.

 

[pikefly]

Thanks everyone I now have what I needed. I just didn’t want to cut up a new seat for no purpose. Always sound advice on this forum.
Just remember if you get and email where the subject is “Knock Knock” , don’t open it, it’s from a Jehovah’s Witness working from home.
Thanks everyone.

 

[pikefly]

How right you are:
https://pablanchard.co.uk/Shouldered-Bolt-for-Seat-Back-331709
e-bay seller has picture:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272302302182
:

Hi Rob. Just ordered the bolts from Blanchards. Couldn't get them from DLS or Paddocks (Paddocks have shut down totally!)
At least now I have the time to change the seats.
Cheers
Tim