Has anyone taken apart reclining seat hinge (spring side!)

[cafebaltimore]

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

[Garagegoon]

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.

[cafebaltimore]

That would be awesome. Thanks so much.

Please be very careful.

Jeff

[cafebaltimore]

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,

[pbarcher]

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

[siteunseen]

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