Kombi Beach centre bench seat/bed - HELP

[BrianJ]

My kombi beach centre bench seat/bed is jammed in place, and it feels like the right rear track clamp is not releasing. I thought I heard a twang when I pulled the release lever, from then all the rest release but not that one. The problem is that it looks like the seat needs to be removed to fix it but it cannot be moved, catch 22.

This seat might be the same as some multivans have, I would appreciate if someone who has seen the mechanism or has one out of the van could look at it and give me a clue as to how I could release the right rear rail clamp (looking to rear of van).

If multiplexman sees this thread, you may be able to assist as I suspect you have removed your kombi beach bench seat.

Thanks
Brian J

[rob64981]

Brian,
I used to have a Multivan in the UK that used to have a sticking seat.
I used to have to get a set of grips and wiggle(technical term) the bar that runs across under the seat.
So this from under the back of the seat.
Once done it work work as it should for a while.
Sometimes the rails get some rubbish stuck under them as well so check for that.
Hope you get yours sorted soon.
Rob

[BrianJ]

Thanks, I have seen that bar and it does rotate, and releases the forward right track clamp, but not the rear. I will recheck for anything that is wedged.

Its a diabolical design if ever I have seen one.

Brian

[BrianJ]

Maybe someone can supply an exploded view of the workings of the kombi beach centre bench seat/bed so I can work out if I can release the clamp using a long wire or something.

Thanks
Brian J

[Cousin]

Hi Brian, spent a few hours today getting my back seat free also. It's a second hand 06 Highline I've just purchased and looks like the seat had never been moved.
I'm guessing they called RACV if they got a flat cos the jack could not be got to with the seat stuck in this spot.
Anyway, I did have a fast learning curve on the workings of those seats, and managed to free everything up and it all works fine now.
I don't know if the internals of the Kombi and Highline are the same, but I'll see if I can get some pics tomorrow and post some ideas on what might help.


M

[BrianJ]

Mine also has the tyre changing kit in the rear of it so it may be the same.
Keep in mind that mine did move until something snapped. I will check the handbooks today as I now recall seeing somewhere that there is a small hole for a round screwdriver to enter that can lock the mechanism to make it easier to remove or install the seat once its in the removal position in the rails. It might be possible for me to move the lock from that hole.

Thanks again
Brian

[Cousin]

Sorry to give you false hope Brian. Realised lying in bed last night the Multivan has sliding rails, and the Kombi has anchor points. So I'm guessing the mechanisms are going to be different.
Just trace everything back and a solution (or problem!) might present itself.
Good luck


M

[BrianJ]

Kombi beach model is a multivan set up as a camper, and does have the rails in the floor, so I suspect it is the same seat.

I did find the small 1/4" hole in the left side facing rearward, for a screwdriver which allows the rail locks to be held unlocked to make the seat easier in get out and in, but it is on the lever side of the bar, and the fault in mine is on the opposite side rear clasp, so using the screwdriver will hold three of them but not the broken one.

Brian

[Cousin]

Brian have a look between the right rear wheel and the metal frame it is attached to. You should see a black metal plate between that wheel and the frame.
Using a large srewdriver, see if you can push that metal plate back towards the rear of the van, which will allow the foot clamp to lower and release off the rail in the floor.
I found both of my rear plates had jammed in place through non use. Using the screwdriver fixed them, bit of wd40 and they're working good as now.
If it doesn't make sense, yell out and I'll pull things apart again and get a shot or two.

M

[BrianJ]

That sounds most helpful, I will investigate tomorrow. I suspect that the lever that moves this plate has slipped off or somthing, but if I can manually move the plate then I can remove the seat. I will let you know how it goes.

Brian

[MultiplexMan]

Hi Brian,

PM your email and I will send you a exploded view of the seat. I've had my seat "stick" often because my drive has a slight slope to it. It is real bugger at times.

Cheers, MM

[rob64981]

Just seen this on The Brickyard...

Help with rear bench release mechanism - The Brick-yard

Might be of some interest to you.

Rob

[BrianJ]

Thanks so much to those who provided assistance, I now have a perfectly good working seat.

Even after seeing the exploded view I still couldn't get near the workings as they are enclosed on all sides, but the plate on the inside of each side leg (beach seat only has two side legs) is screwed on with many screws. But first to get at that the large sliding drawer has to be removed which is fairly easy as there is only two small screws on the inside attaching it to the slide rails.

Then the seatbelt roller must be removed to get at one of the screws then the four screws holding the drawer slides on must be removed, then about another 10 screws and the inside plate comes away revealing the wonders of the mechanism.

It was immediately obvious what had happened, the rod connecting the front foot to the rear foot clamping mechamism had popped out at one end. it is held in by plastic bushes with curlover clasps and it all clips together. When one of the rear feet clamps siezes like mine did and you pull the release lever too hard the rod just decides to pop out leaving your seat utterly locked in place.

I liberally sprayed all the mechanisms with highly lubricating marine spray which freed them up beautifully, and the whole thing works like a dream. I suspect that the often large amounts of moisture that builds up in the car when you sleep in it has probably caused some corrosion.

Hopefully the lubricant will prevent this happening again, but one thing is certain, if one of the clamps becomes too tight and you try to force it with the release lever, something will give way causing you to go to the trouble that I had to. In all about 2.5 hrs work.

Brian

[rob64981]

Brian,
I used to have to get a set of grips and wiggle(technical term) the bar that runs across under the seat.
Do this from under the back of the seat.
Once done it work work as it should for a while.
Rob

Thats why i used this special tool and wiggled the main bar...
Glad to see you managed to get things moving again.
Happy camping.
Rob

[BrianJ]

Thats why i used this special tool and wiggled the main bar...
Glad to see you managed to get things moving again.
Happy camping.
Rob

But the bar that fell off was after the long horizontal main bar and between the front and rear floor clamp, so any force put on the main bar could also knock the smaller coupling bar off. Anyway, I am a happy camper again now.

Brian