The Ford Barn

TonyM · 06-01-2013, 11:32 AM

Any tips on freeing up this seat adjustment mechanism/track? The handle moves freely but the seat, when it was in place, would not slide on the track. Presently the seat is out of the car for the dash/firewall rewire. Look at the sheath for the spring, it is in excellent condition. And look at the chalk marks from the factory on the bottom of the seat frame. Great.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks. TM

mike42 · 06-01-2013, 12:17 PM

Tony....

I did my '40 over the winter and it was just like what you have. I would go out each night and spray penetrating oil on that star wheel and everything else that should move including along the top of the track ! I put a pair of vise grips on that long shaft and each morning would tap lightly on the track with small ball hammer. As I tap it I would gently rotate the shaft with vise grips. After about 4 or 5 days...it broke loose. I then sprayed white lith grease in the track and move it back and forth. It works great now. Mine had not been used since 1987. It was pretty rusted for sure.

Hope this helps.

Mike

Lawson Cox · 06-01-2013, 01:21 PM

Mine was frozen on my 36 Club Cabriolet and wouldn't move in spite of all I could do. I finally got disgusted and hit it with a BFH and it broke loose. That BFH hammer usually does it for me. LOL

mike42 · 06-01-2013, 03:19 PM

Lawson....I don't have your balls.....all I could think of was...where would I get a replacement if I screwed this up !

Mike

joel · 06-01-2013, 04:11 PM

I saved a 40 tudor seat that was worse, but I removed the track from the seat frame so I could work on them seperately. Otherwise the procedure was the same as Mike; penetrating oil and tap them back and forth until they move freely.

TonyM · 06-01-2013, 11:10 PM

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I was able to free up that seat. I got lucky--it did not take much effort to get it working correctly. Thanks all for the help.

06-01-2013, 12:17 PM	#2
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,605	Re: 1937 Ford Seat Adjustment Track Tony.... I did my '40 over the winter and it was just like what you have. I would go out each night and spray penetrating oil on that star wheel and everything else that should move including along the top of the track ! I put a pair of vise grips on that long shaft and each morning would tap lightly on the track with small ball hammer. As I tap it I would gently rotate the shaft with vise grips. After about 4 or 5 days...it broke loose. I then sprayed white lith grease in the track and move it back and forth. It works great now. Mine had not been used since 1987. It was pretty rusted for sure. Hope this helps. Mike

06-01-2013, 01:21 PM	#3
Lawson Cox Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Above the gnat line in Georgia Posts: 7,009	Re: 1937 Ford Seat Adjustment Track Mine was frozen on my 36 Club Cabriolet and wouldn't move in spite of all I could do. I finally got disgusted and hit it with a BFH and it broke loose. That BFH hammer usually does it for me. LOL __________________ Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer to the end, the faster it goes. It is better to be seen, than viewed. "We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm".

06-01-2013, 03:19 PM	#4
mike42 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Gaylord, Michigan Posts: 1,605	Re: 1937 Ford Seat Adjustment Track Lawson....I don't have your balls.....all I could think of was...where would I get a replacement if I screwed this up ! Mike

06-01-2013, 04:11 PM	#5
joel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 488	Re: 1937 Ford Seat Adjustment Track I saved a 40 tudor seat that was worse, but I removed the track from the seat frame so I could work on them seperately. Otherwise the procedure was the same as Mike; penetrating oil and tap them back and forth until they move freely.

06-01-2013, 11:10 PM	#6
TonyM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: West Hammond, Illinois Posts: 2,793	Re: 1937 Ford Seat Adjustment Track Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I was able to free up that seat. I got lucky--it did not take much effort to get it working correctly. Thanks all for the help.