R50/R53 :: Hatch Talk (2002-2006) Cooper (R50) and Cooper S (R53) hatchback discussion.

R50/53 Passenger seat forward tilt/slide

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  #1  
Old 06-14-2014, 08:56 AM
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Passenger seat forward tilt/slide

In my 03 MCS the passenger seat will no longer do it's automatic tilt and forward slide to access back seat.

The seat slides just fine forward and back for a manual position adjustment and also reclines and stays in chosen position correctly as well. The only feature that seems broken is when you press the outboard lever down, the seat should tilt forward and slide to it's most forward position automatically to allow easier access to back seat. In my case, the seat back will tilt forward, but won't move from it's locked front/back location.

Anyone else had this issue and what was the fix? This is NOT to be confused with the other reported issue of the back recline getting stuck or not working. That part works just fine for me.

Thanks for your input!
 
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Old 06-14-2014, 10:16 AM
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Either the end of the cable slipped off the holder, or it broke. There's no easy fix if the cable broke.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...e-anymore.html
 
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Old 06-14-2014, 06:45 PM
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Thanks RKW! I checked it out briefly today and compared the mechanism to that of the driver seat and there is indeed and issue with the cable on the left side area as described in the write up you provided a link to.

Looks like I'll have to remove the seat to get a detailed look at the problem. Thanks for the link it definitely helped!

Pat
 
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Old 06-14-2014, 10:52 PM
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I've both seats w/ the same problem. I just use the inboard lever as they still work, just not as convenient. Never got around to investigate the cable yet.
I found a used pair of seats identical to mine that were sold for cheap due to 1 of em having the seat recline problem. Fixed that spare w/ the body slam method. Once I decide to put the new 1s in, I'll get to check those cables.
 
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Old 06-15-2014, 12:26 AM
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Old 06-15-2014, 04:36 PM
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Originally Posted by PSA1
Thanks RKW! I checked it out briefly today and compared the mechanism to that of the driver seat and there is indeed and issue with the cable on the left side area as described in the write up you provided a link to.

Looks like I'll have to remove the seat to get a detailed look at the problem. Thanks for the link it definitely helped!

Pat
That was my write-up from 4 years ago, and I never did get around to fixing it (has remained broken all this time). I don't want to replace the rail (which now costs over $300!) just because of the silly $2 cable. I can probably improvise a fix with a bicycle brake cable, but I'm a bit stuck up about wanting to do it "right". The root cause of the problem is that the tubing that guides the cable is too weak and cracked. Even if I replace the cable, it won't be guided properly and there will be a high stress point where the cable will be prone to breaking again. The proper fix involves not only the cable itself but also the tubing (perhaps using bicycle brake cable housing) and some modification of the configuration.

Good luck whatever you do. Tell us how it goes.
 
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