Nitro Front Seats Repair

[rickaren]

Originally Posted by dhh3

Rick. Thanks for the pictorials. These always come in handy. Can you measure your seat travel from all the way down to all the way up? Maybe you could measure from the top of the seat cushion to the carpet, unless there is a more precise way of doing this. I just want to know if I need to keep searching for a powered base/complete seat. Possibly what I have done already raised my seat as high as the powered seat will go. Thanks for all of your posts.
BTW, the Jeep Commander is noted for having these plastic seat side panels break/fail also. So, we Nitro owners are not alone!

Surprisingly there seems to be only two inches of up/down travel on my drivers side power seat. Not real easy to measure since seat also moves too (not a direct upward motion). I measured from the bottom using the interior black plastic scuff plate, to the top of the cushion outside wedge. The lowest is 12 inches and the highest is 14 inches and I measured in the center of the seat @ the power seat button on my vehicle. Does this help?

[dhh3]

Originally Posted by rickaren

Surprisingly there seems to be only two inches of up/down travel on my drivers side power seat. Not real easy to measure since seat also moves too (not a direct upward motion). I measured from the bottom using the interior black plastic scuff plate, to the top of the cushion outside wedge. The lowest is 12 inches and the highest is 14 inches and I measured in the center of the seat @ the power seat button on my vehicle. Does this help?

Thank you. If you mean the plastic door sill plate, I am at 12.75". So, there could be another inch or so for me if I were to locate a powered frame or seat assy. I'll keep searching, but my 1/2" of gain helps tremendously. Thanks again.

[jhnhopkins]

So both of you guys know to add the sheet metal screws to stiffen the front end of the shield. I still have no issue with further failure.

[dhh3]

Originally Posted by jhnhopkins

So both of you guys know to add the sheet metal screws to stiffen the front end of the shield. I still have no issue with further failure.

I'm not sure what you are asking. Sorry.

[Cyklopz]

Rick, as always thanks for the detailed pics and info from everyone on how to handle this issue if/when it comes up.

Cy

[rickaren]

Wife attempted to slide out passenger seat and without the assistance of any grab bar (that every other SUV has on the market) caught the top of the seat molding breaking both top tabs. Ordered Mopar replacement part # 1-1QA621DVAA from Factory Mopar.com and received it in less than one week.

I had hoped the replacement would have been modified to be less in height to correct this issue, since this replacement part was manufactured 6/09/10. No luck, part even has the same molded # 5693 1290495 inside.

It was not a 15 minute job for me as it was for jhnhopkins's
Nitro Front Seats Repair Post, but like everything if I had to do it again, I would be much faster.

[rickaren]

HOW I REPLACED MY PANEL w/pictures

First off move the seat all-the-way forward.





To remove the side handle you will need to find the "C" clip that has been installed from the bottom and push it off from the top. This is the same type of clip that was used years ago on crank windows to hold the handle on.

[rickaren]

I had trouble fingering out how to release the seat belt cover

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The top plastic clip needs to be released by prying up on it from under it with a flat-blade screwdriver.



After then there are two side panel mounting screws to remove. The lower one is behind the seat belt mounting bracket and is problematic with no direct access. I finally got it loose with a Philips screwdriver, and then used a small straight blade to back it all-the-way out 1/8 turn at a time. I did not reinstall it.

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Only other screws to remove are the two inside at the rear

[rickaren]

I was still not happy with the fit at the top after replacing this new side seat panel so I also installed a sheet metal screw with an upholstery washer at the front to get a snug fit. I used a chrome one for clarity, but will replace it with a black one or paint this one later.









This process should be about the same for the drivers seat (left) so hopefully these pictures will help other members to install their own out-of-warranty replacement. If not since my Dealer charged me one hour to inspect drive-shaft for any defect @ $93.00, guess I saved myself about the same!


Good Luck!