Driver's seat height adjuster failed

[mhall]

Hello,

We have a 2007 Golf Mk5 S 1.9 TDi and have the seat adjustment set quite high because, although I'm six feet, my 5'2" wife finds the adjuster mechanism a pain after our Mk3!

Anyway, when I got in it this morning, the seat collapsed and the adjuster mechanism no longer works, the lever still operates but the seat won't rise.

Anyone know what may have failed and how to replace it, please? I'm hoping it can be repaired as I don't fancy buying a new seat. The wife can no longer drive it as she can't see over the steering wheel!

Many thanks

Mark

[VAGMAN2]

The ratchet in the adjuster mechanism has failed - a plastic part inside snaps. You'll have to buy a new adjuster mechanism - about £90. To fit it, you need to remove the whole seat.

[mhall]

The ratchet in the adjuster mechanism has failed - a plastic part inside snaps. You'll have to buy a new adjuster mechanism - about £90. To fit it, you need to remove the whole seat.

Thanks for your reply. Do you know how difficult it is to do? We can't even see how to get the plastic cover off yet but perhaps it becomes clearer if we take the seat out!

Thanks again

Mark

[VAGMAN2]

I can't quite remember, BUT I think it becomes obvious once you remove the seat and have the new part.

To remove the seat-

disconnect the battery to disable the airbag
slide the seat all the way forward and then undo the rear bolts in the seat rails
slide the seat all the back and then undo the front bolts in the seat rails
seat is now free - remove the plastic cover at the front, into which the airbag wire goes, and unplug
the seat will now lift out

you should then be able to access the adjuster mechanism - the plastic handle has a tab on the inside face which you press to release it

[Quoman]

I changed mine recently, went to a scrapyard, undid the bit and stuck it in my toolbox. I wouldn't pay £90 for a new one!! hardest part of the job is locating a donor car! Dont go in and ask for any part of a seat as they wont let you strip a seat. Go in asking for something else. You will need the splined tool for removing the seat, undo the airbag wire (no need to disconnect the battery, just make sure the keys not in the ignition) remove the handle, remove the seat recliner, just pulls off, remove the side plastic cover from the seat, slacken the nut on the ratchet mechanism, then undo the allen screws on the ratchet. Good thing about a scrappies is you can butcher things before attacking your own.. oh, and lie your seat out an a clean sheet.