Bench seat not latching

[rickrod3]

I have a standard cab bench seat in my 98 Cheyenne.
The bench seat does not latch and on inspection cannot see how the latch works. My owners manual says the seat is supposed to move freely to access the storage behind the seat but in the event of a sudden stop it should latch.

It never worked since I got the truck so it is possible something is missing.
If any one can tell me what is suppose to be there I would appreciate it.

Rick

[mountie]

It's hard to see down/behind there, but I had seat material/ upholstery hang up in the latch.

[rickrod3]

Originally Posted by mountie

It's hard to see down/behind there, but I had seat material/ upholstery hang up in the latch.

Is there suppose to have a lever that releases the seat?

All I could see is a hinge. I tried shooting PB Blaster in it to see if it would free up something but; I suspect there is something missing.

[Big Fenders]

On my 96 Cheyenne the "entry latch is on the lower portion of the seat back facing the door. Mine is broken..almost impossible to find a replacement BTW. Maybe yours is buryed in upholstery...it will be a splined shaft sticking out of the seat back in the location mentioned..

[Grumpy old man]

a picture always helps but the "latch" i think he is referring to is an inertion passive latch mechanism , meaning you would be able to move the seat back forward to access behind the seat but in the event of a crash these latches mounted on both sides of the upper bolt on the seat bottom will move forward and stop the seat back from folding forward and when at a stop they fall back and allow the seat to fold . This is a common problem that happens with these bench seat models and is easily remedied by reaching behind the side seat bracket and moving the "latch rearward with your hand . no tools needed just push them back and the seat will fold forward , A little dry lube should fix the sticking latch .

[rickrod3]

Originally Posted by Grumpy old man

a picture always helps but the "latch" i think he is referring to is an inertion passive latch mechanism , meaning you would be able to move the seat back forward to access behind the seat but in the event of a crash these latches mounted on both sides of the upper bolt on the seat bottom will move forward and stop the seat back from folding forward and when at a stop they fall back and allow the seat to fold . This is a common problem that happens with these bench seat models and is easily remedied by reaching behind the side seat bracket and moving the "latch rearward with your hand . no tools needed just push them back and the seat will fold forward , A little dry lube should fix the sticking latch .

What you describe sounds like what I read in the owners manual.
Is the latching built into the hinge?
My truck is a high mileage work truck which I got two years ago.
I'm not sure all of the parts are there. I did try lubing the hinge but could not figure out how it would latch. I may have some thing missing. Will post a picture tomorrow.

[Grumpy old man]

There are 2 bolts that are located behind the plastic on the outside of the seat the bottom one is the bolt which holds the top and botoom together and acts as the pivot point for the top to lean forward for access behind the seat the top bolt is the "rest" the top seat leans on in the normal position

Remove the side seat plastic cover with a phillips screw driver there are 2 screws that hold it on once you remove the cover you will see it is a very simple bracket on the top bolt that keeps the seat from folding forward it should be free to move easily on that top bolt , and if you push that simple bracket back it will allow the seat to fold forward , once you look at it you'll have a Homer Simpson moment LOL THERE IS ONE ON EACH SIDE OF THE SEAT !

[rickrod3]

Sorry for the delay in posting the picture of what I'm dealing with.
I still seem to feel something is missing.

Thanks
Rick

[rickrod3]

The seat is not in great shape. I was calling around to junk yards. what other years and models will fit? I saw the thread on Gm Bucket seats but; I would like to keep the bench seat.

TIA
Rick

[Grumpy old man]

the seat you have is designed to "latch" in a sudden stop/crash under normal use it is designed to fold forward to allow access behind the seat , it looks like it is working as designed . look behind the blue plastic cover and you will see a moveable bracket with a bolt going thru the top that allows it to swing forward and latch but at rest/stopped it should allow the seat to fold forward . Use a flash light and give it a good look you'll see how it works .Also find a local auto upholstery shop to fix your seat and pad it for your comfort the cloth material on top is reasonably cheap and vinyl is also .much less expensive than replacement and the shop can show you how the latch works for free !

[Cape Codder]

It's the same idea as the seat belt lock. when parked or moving forward it isn't locked but when you hit the brake or decelerate it locks. Works on a pendulum type thing I believe. My 98 moves freely when stopped also. It ain't broke don't fix it.

[rickrod3]

Okay thanks all.
I was concerned since it is a bit of a safety issue.
I feel better know.