I was curious if anyone has ever taken apart (or heard of someone taking apart) the hinge mechanism (reclining style) on the inside?

There exists a large spring inside that mechanism that serves to pop the seat forward when pull the side lever. It is a very strong spring wound into a coil. When the center pivot pin is removed the diameter of that spring is increase. But I have no idea by how much.

I plan to use a wide hose clamp (and a blast shield) around the hinge body and the spring when I remove the pivot pin. Then I will slowly open the wide hose clamp.

Assembly should be the reverse of disassembly, but if the unladen spring diameter is too large I can foresee difficulties.

I was hoping someone had disassembled one of these springs and might share insight. My reason is to be able to powder coat the spring housing completely, and I am fully aware that I am being really anal. I did decide against removing the seat frame (under butt) springs for lack of desire to find or make a crimping too to cleanly crimp them back on.

Thanks,

Jeff

If you have a day or two to wait i will take one apart. I have several seats laying around that are missmatches etc... I will sacrifice one and let you know the measurement.

That would be awesome. Thanks so much.

Please be very careful.

Jeff

Hey Garagegoon,

You don't have to take one of yours apart. I asked my boss and we ended up taking mine apart.

It comes apart very easily, and looks like it will go back together just as easily.

Thanks,

I know that this is an old post, but I'd like to hear more about how to take apart the reclining seat hinge (inner) on a 73. Anybody done this?

Peter

This guy has some pretty good info and pictures. Scroll down to the middle and you'll see seats. http://dailydatsun.com/2012/05/