Seat Recliner Mechanism Disassembly

[DavidLaver]

crackle black is a nice idea...

...or phone round the usual specialists for better?  (I've forgotten the name of the trimmer many in the LMC have used - eg him)

...or fit different seats?

[nthomas1]

crackle black is a nice idea...

...or phone round the usual specialists for better?  (I've forgotten the name of the trimmer many in the LMC have used - eg him)

...or fit different seats?

I've had the seats re-upholstered, and I've had the frames sandblasted, and then I painted the frames and other components, so I'm committed to sticking with these seats.  I'm sure there's a good solution!

[frankxhv773t]

I'm just throwing ideas around, but if rivets had to be drilled out to disassemble could small bolts be then used to reassemble? Is there anything useful in simonandjuliet's experience of masking off the threads on his Aprilia Cabrio re-chroming?

[nthomas1]

I'm just throwing ideas around, but if rivets had to be drilled out to disassemble could small bolts be then used to reassemble? Is there anything useful in simonandjuliet's experience of masking off the threads on his Aprilia Cabrio re-chroming?

I'll take a look at that Frank.  I'm angling away from paint now as only one of the eight major components (two each side of each seat) really needs re-chroming.  The others should all clean up OK I think.

[simonandjuliet]

I think that if it was mine, I would not take it to pieces but look into spray chrome. I haven't tried it but picked up the card for someone at a show last year. They seem to be able to chrome anything and it looks excellent (and shiny) but may not be as hard wearing

I will be at Retromobile today (assuming Paris has thawed out a bit) and will keep an eye open for someone doing spray chrome and ask the question

[frankxhv773t]

Norm, if only one bit is beyond salvation that sounds like a case for finding a decent spare. There must be some out there.

[my69S1]

I'm just throwing ideas around, but if rivets had to be drilled out to disassemble could small bolts be then used to reassemble? Is there anything useful in simonandjuliet's experience of masking off the threads on his Aprilia Cabrio re-chroming?

I'll take a look at that Frank.  I'm angling away from paint now as only one of the eight major components (two each side of each seat) really needs re-chroming.  The others should all clean up OK I think.

How did you make out with disassembling your seat recliners?  Any luck or did you just paint them?

[nthomas1]

How did you make out with disassembling your seat recliners?  Any luck or did you just paint them?


[/quote]

I could see how to grind off the large rivet but couldn't figure out how I would be able to reassemble so I bought a used recliner in better condition than mine. It's not as good as I'd like so I'm still on the lookout for a set that are mint/excellent in keeping with the rest of the car.  For information, I got quotes from five rechroming companies - all between £160 and £200 per seat, assuming mechanisms disassembled first.

[lancialulu]

On another forum a German owner describes grinding the big central rivet lurking under the black plastic cap, and blobbing weld onto the remains of the rivet head on reassembly..... Not sure I would trust the integrity of such move. The rivet is very strong and is holding the whole hinge together.

[lsdiff]

Another idea (and apologies if it's a stupid one), but what about using a grinder or wire brush to remove all the old chrome and rust and then just polishing and maybe lacquering the bare metal?

[frankxhv773t]

That might be worth a try on a scrap one but getting rid of pitting might be an issue.