removing seats for full detail, how many do it? how often?

When I upgraded my stereo last summer I took out the seats to help for access. The question is........how many remove the seats for a detail of the interior?

Pros...

Cons....

Taking off the seats is really only necessary when you want to clean the carpet underneath them, or when you want to do a thorough cleaning of the seats without any worry of getting chemicals on other parts of the interior. The biggest problem with removing the seats is the risk of scraping the plastic interior parts. The seats are not light, I can tell you that. Having the top down helps with taking them out easier.

have never done it, and i should!!
no telling whats under mine-

its definitely a wacko project along with taking off the wheels to clean them and the wheel wells-

how bout posting up pics of the process next time you do it? (or anyone else who might be doing it soon)

You'd be surprised at how much crap is under your seat. It's also way easier to clean and condition your seats

ubetit, u are the man.
i would almost never do that.

any instructions on how to remove the seats? i need to run some power wire thru my car soon...

just take out the 4 bolts holding it in.. its easy

what about wiring (where are the wires that need to be disconnected, etc.), size of nuts, etc. - do you just hand torque, or how many pounds do you use for the reinstall?
(details... ! )

thanks-

gonna have to sticky this one in the how tos!
(which is why i want all the details in here)

Front bolts are 14mm and rear bolts are 17mm or 5/8". A breaker bar with an extension is a very handy tool to have if the seats have never been removed before. Mine were torqued so much I was afraid of stripping the heads with a 3/8" ratchet.

The seatbelt harness needs to be removed under the driver's seat, while the passenger's is just a simple unbolt and lift. Other than that, be careful not to scuff up the plastic panels!

and on mine the factory alarm is somewhere under my seat... assume it doesnt need to be unhooked?

Seat Removal/Installation MY00-05 models.

1) lower conv top
2) open door and drape microfiber towel over door with windows down. drape another towel behind the door to protect paint etc.
3) remove seat belt from slits in the guide on side of seat.
4) tilt seat all the way forward
5) slide seat all the way back
6) remove 14mm bolts on front of seat rails
7) slide seat all the way forward
8) remove 17mm bolts on rear of seat rails
9) tilt seat slightly and unplug seat belt switch connector on drivers side
10) lift seat carefully straight up and then out of car
11) on passenger side there is no electrical connection to disconnect

Reinstallation is reverse except
1) use thread lock on the seat bolts before reinstalling
2) front seat bolt torque is 16lb-ft
3) rear seat bolt torque is 22 lb-ft

For MY 06-07 cars have a trim piece over the front bolts and 2 wires under each seat that need to be disconnected as well as associated harness clips on the wires. Front torque remains 16lb-ft. Rear torque is 29 lb-ft.

Be careful not to stumble with the unbolted seat in your hands and scratch the paint or interior!!

Enjoy!

excellent!!!

This is a true wacko project that I will now add to my process. Might do it only once or twice a year however.
Good thinking

Good thread Keith!

When you KNOW that there are stains that you need to get out, it is critical to take the seats out. For any car it makes it so easy to give your carpet a nice deep cleaning. I would suggest that you do this kind of cleaning ATLEAST 1-2 times/year. The longer stains sit, the harder they are to get out. Take this one for example

Before:


After:

wow, that's one clean interior ubetit.

Man, that reminds me of my old integra that I had to part ways with to get the s2. Automatic and same color interior... ah, the memories.

I figure about every 2 years is about right for this deep kind of detail for the interior.

K

The factory alarm is attached to the seat. You need to disconnect one connector and a clip

Removal

12) Alarm install suggests wrapping shop towels around the ends of the rails. To protect interior/exterior.

Installation

1a ;-) Make sure the rails are lined up even before you put the seat back in the car

I did it once and I scratch the shit out of the plastic on the rear. I remind myself never to take them off again.

Thats exactly what I didn't do.

did this to my celica convertible. except i was cleaning old school style back then coz i didnt discover the W&W forum yet. i used a brush and laundry soap and i thoroughly scrubbed ever square inch of the carpet. also scrubbed the seats clean. then i left it out in the sun to dry.

looking at it now, i prolly sound like an idiot to you guys coz there are chemicals and sprays that woulda done a better job or cleaned the car faster... but i'm just sharing my experience

I always do this when i detail the interior. But i agree tape up the ends of the seat rails so you don't scratch up the plastic.