Tightening Arm Rests

Good day, all.

I'm taking care of the last little annoying things wrong with my 95 Burb, and ran into a little problem that I'd like to run by you all. The inboard arm rests on the front seats are loose. I attempted to remove the back panel to hopefully access the bolts, but it doesn't want to come off. Do you know of any tricks to get this panel off so I can tighten things up? I was able to pry the panel back, but it won't come off, and I don't want to break anything in the process. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Joe

The plastic cover around the door handle has to be removed first...it snaps into place, so a flat-blade screwdriver should release it. Two screws that are in the hand-grab as well. The rest is held in by plastic fasteners along the edge. Carefully pry these away, the plastic is likely old and brittle. The window, door, and mirror switches can be pried out and removed after disconnecting from the harness...is there a screw under there?...and disconnect the door safety light. Then wiggle the bottom of the door panel left to right while pushing up to disengage the top lip from the door frame.

Hope this helps!

The plastic cover around the door handle has to be removed first...it snaps into place, so a flat-blade screwdriver should release it. Two screws that are in the hand-grab as well. The rest is held in by plastic fasteners along the edge. Carefully pry these away, the plastic is likely old and brittle. The window, door, and mirror switches can be pried out and removed after disconnecting from the harness...is there a screw under there?...and disconnect the door safety light. Then wiggle the bottom of the door panel left to right while pushing up to disengage the top lip from the door frame.

Hope this helps!

Well, it would help if I needed to remove the door panels, but these are the inboard arm rests, which are bolted to the seats. Any suggestions?

Boy I read that wrong...very sorry. I've got a split front bench seat in my truck with a single big armrest/middle seatback, not sure of your setup.

<TAP TAP TAP> Is this thing on?

Am I the only one who's ever had this problem? Anyone? :)

<TAP TAP TAP> Is this thing on?

Am I the only one who's ever had this problem? Anyone? :)

I don't have this problem I was hoping YOU had the answer>>>>
well I looked this up just for you....it appears that there is a U shaped locking clip that holds the arm in place it is between the arm and seat back ...pop this off the arm should slide out....before doing this unhinge the seat back so as to loosen the material ....for access...

then explain what went wrong

I don't have this problem I was hoping YOU had the answer>>>>
well I looked this up just for you....it appears that there is a U shaped locking clip that holds the arm in place it is between the arm and seat back ...pop this off the arm should slide out....before doing this unhinge the seat back so as to loosen the material ....for access...

then explain what went wrong

So, the seat back panel should not be removed? It looked like that panel should/could be removed, as it has what appear to be metal or plastic clips holding it to the seatback shell. I didn't want to pull or pry too hard on the panel and break those clips, so I've put up with loose arm rests. I'll take a closer look at the hinges to see what benefit, if any, will result in unhinging them. Your mention of a clip, as opposed to the arm rest being bolted to the seat frame, makes me fear that getting them tightened up will require some custom work. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a replaceable bushing in there.
I'll be in touch,
Joe

So, the seat back panel should not be removed? It looked like that panel should/could be removed, as it has what appear to be metal or plastic clips holding it to the seatback shell. I didn't want to pull or pry too hard on the panel and break those clips, so I've put up with loose arm rests. I'll take a closer look at the hinges to see what benefit, if any, will result in unhinging them. Your mention of a clip, as opposed to the arm rest being bolted to the seat frame, makes me fear that getting them tightened up will require some custom work. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a replaceable bushing in there.
I'll be in touch,
Joe

I have never had to remove the seat back,,,but have removed many seat cushion covers and made repairs to the seat area....the plastic retainers are not too hard to unhinge if the material is warm,,,streches easier..do you have leather seats?

No, these are cloth.

<TAP TAP TAP> Is this thing on?

Am I the only one who's ever had this problem? Anyone? :)

joeburb whats up with those loose arms ?

is this thing on....?

joeburb whats up with those loose arms ?

is this thing on....?

Sorry, j cAT, my daughter turned one month this week, and with her lack of normal sleep pattern, I've had neither the time nor the energy to get back out there and look at it further. My wife is not working now, which motivates me to work longer, as the sole bread winner in my house. Plus, it's been cold as hell here, so that's further dampened my motivation.

My plan is to get after it this weekend, though. It sounds like my plan of attack will be to see if I can peel back the upholstery around the arm to find a clip. I had hoped they were bolted on from the inside frame of the seat, but it sounds like it's not that way.

Sorry, j cAT, my daughter turned one month this week, and with her lack of normal sleep pattern, I've had neither the time nor the energy to get back out there and look at it further. My wife is not working now, which motivates me to work longer, as the sole bread winner in my house. Plus, it's been cold as hell here, so that's further dampened my motivation.

My plan is to get after it this weekend, though. It sounds like my plan of attack will be to see if I can peel back the upholstery around the arm to find a clip. I had hoped they were bolted on from the inside frame of the seat, but it sounds like it's not that way.

I can understand that ,,with a 4 month old staying over my place when my daughter is at work...sleep with young ones is tough at times ...in my case though she goes home...later in the day...when her father picks her up...

when you find out whats going on with that arm let me know...

thanks