Installing power seat assist springs?

[John Mc]

Anyone have a tip on how to install the coiled up power seat assist springs? Prybar once the tilt is in its highest position?

[1Bad55Chevy]

Is that like the window regulator spring that de loads tension as it goes through its range of motion?

[John Mc]

Yes, I believe so.

[1Bad55Chevy]

Just by looking at it over the internet this would be my strategy since I assume the long side of the spring is to long to pry in or out. I would hook power to the motor and relieve as much tension as possible then grab the inside with a pair of pliers and twist/remove. At the lowest tension position its not going to have much tension on it and when you remove, it will not try to uncoil itself to lay flat. I would assume there will be somewhere between 1/4 to 1/2 turn of tension on the intermost portion of the spring once removed from the stud. I will assume install would be the same.

[John Mc]

I will give that a try, but the spring is almost unbelievably firm, very little movement. Not sure how they installed them when originally built, but I would guess a pressured jig or tool. I wonder if these are even necessary. So many of them fall off the seat frame and the tilt seems to still work just fine.

[1Bad55Chevy]

Based on the picture the spring looks to be at max tension. Is that correct?

[John Mc]

Well using a prybar, I was able to install them. Pretty happy with them

[455hota]

Just curious, what year seat track mechanism is that you are working on?
I just did a 67 Tbird driver bucket 6 way mechanism and there were no clock spings, just a long helical spring:

It never ceases to amaze me how from year to year in the same company the same type parts changed / varied so much. Maybe its a power bench vs power bucket difference? Just curious... Steve

[John Mc]

Interestingly, the seat section in the shop manual has no correlation to the frame in my car. It shows a coil spring between the rail sections where mine has the vertical spring on the side.

[John Mc]

Based on the picture the spring looks to be at max tension. Is that correct?

No that’s at the minimum tension where the seat is in the full up position.

[wingless]

REALLY appreciate the pointers in this topic!

Each of the front seats in my 1975 Mark IV has one of these springs laying on the floor, instead of attached to the mechanism.

The identified repair steps will be attempted and results reported.