Power Seat Repair - Stuck or Barely Moving - DIY

[CanadianTRD]

Power Seat Repair - Stuck or Barely Moving - DIY Writeup w/pics

When I purchased this rig, the power seat on the driver's side was barely moving. I tried to force it, thinking there may have been obstructions in the threaded rod or in the track...this definitely made it worse. It proceeded to only move on the passenger side track (quite flawlessly) yet would not move at all on the driver's.

Upon inspection, this is what I found and how I repaired it!

What your seat looks like underneath:

The threaded rod assembly removed (2 bolts on the main bracket, 1 nut on a stud somewhat hidden on the exterior frame):

Removing the driver's side assembly (this turns the threaded rod after the motor turns the "driveshaft":

The assembly with the bad part inside:

Guide Pin removed, note the small rotating "drive" pin, this is removable and can be attached to the "driveshaft" or the rotating gear bolt:

Assembly opened up:

Note how the gears rotate eachother:

More opened up pics:

The bad part, a NYLON threaded gear:

Washers removed that it rotates on:

See the gear teeth totally destroyed:

And my donor part from the passenger seat:

Reassemble and enjoy! :driving:

arty:

Why not clean your carpets while you are at it!

 

[Jungoes]

thanks for the pictures! good to know if i ever get problems with the seat movement,
just a quick question, but the damaged worm wheel, did you notice it dry with out lubricant when you took it out?

 

[CanadianTRD]

thanks for the pictures! good to know if i ever get problems with the seat movement,
just a quick question, but the damaged worm wheel, did you notice it dry with out lubricant when you took it out?

I wouldn't say "dry" but that yellow stuff from the factory was definitely "caked"

Everything felt lubed before and after so I didn't mess with it and the seat as it stands today moves very quickly and smoothly. That grease is lifetime non-maintenance type I do believe.

In retrospect it may have been wise to clean all those gears out and re-lube...but I am not worried.

In my opinion, the failure was a result of an obstruction at some point, and the subsequent "forcing" of the seat back and forth leading to gear destruction. If it were normal wear and tear, the gear would be worn all the way around...it was only worn in two identical spots on opposite sides...the remaining 50% of the gears were intact and normal.

 

[sigley0527]

In case anyone is interested, you can also remove the seat and manually adjust the placement with a 22mm wrench. This is what I did considering I didn't want to remove the passenger seat to obtain the donor piece. Eventually I'll replace the nylon gear, but for now I just wanted to readjust to a comfortable seat position considering my step mom moved the seat all the way forward and of course thats the position it broke in.

 

[sigley0527]

Just make sure both rods are aligned so the seat placement is straight.

In case anyone is interested, you can also remove the seat and manually adjust the placement with a 22mm wrench. This is what I did considering I didn't want to remove the passenger seat to obtain the donor piece. Eventually I'll replace the nylon gear, but for now I just wanted to readjust to a comfortable seat position considering my step mom moved the seat all the way forward and of course thats the position it broke in.

 

[infamousRNR]

Awesome description of a problem I'm sure we will all eventually have...


mine moves fine but it sounds like sand is in the guides or on the rod itself?...

not too worried until it doesn't work anymore i suppose

 

[Snacksquatch]

Does anybody happen to have a part number for the motor for the power seat?
I just bought a 2007 SR5 and the seller had installed Limited power seats in it. Well, long story short, he never finished the install on the passenger seat, and when I took it in to have the power hooked up (which I was assured was all that needed done...)it turns out that the motor is bad and is blowing the circuit every time it is activated.

Im having a bear of a time finding the actual part on Google or on here using the search, just wondering if there is an easy part number anywhere?

 

[Snacksquatch]

After some searching I found this and think its the right part. It shows it for a 2004 on one site and 2007 on another, but as far as I can tell they are the same part:

https://www.parts.com/index.cfm?fus...=None&Title=Toyota-4-Runner-Front-Right-MOTOR

In case anybody else runs into this issue, hopefully the part number helps. Thanks all!

 

[StreetCreeper]

After some searching I found this and think its the right part. It shows it for a 2004 on one site and 2007 on another, but as far as I can tell they are the same part:

https://www.parts.com/index.cfm?fus...=None&Title=Toyota-4-Runner-Front-Right-MOTOR

In case anybody else runs into this issue, hopefully the part number helps. Thanks all!

4th gen guys might find this info more useful.

 

[Snacksquatch]

4th gen guys might find this info more useful.

Good call, can I move my post or does an admin need to?

 

[jgue467]

Why move the thread to 4th gen??? It Started off as a 3rd gen problem & solution with pics. Sasquach, please go post on 4th gen. :^)

 

[ecruthis]

I have a power problem but it is on the reclining protion fo the seat. hte back and forth work perfect. But the reclining doesn't even move or make a sound. Like it doesn't even have power. I haven't gotten the gull to remove the seat and check it out as i know nothing about electrical stuff.

Anyone run into this. I can not find a thread specific on this top of just the reclining part. Thank you in advance for any info

 

[Cttein2]

Reclining seat problem

I have a 2006 Ford sport. The front power seat will not recline. It will incline forward. But will not recline. The other power functions all work correctly. Took the seat out and can get to the motor. Did not disassemble it though. Any suggestions for the fix?

 

[Cttein2]

Sorry

The auto correct say Ford. Should say 4Runner

 

[stever1000]

Good info I will try adjusting mine with the 22mm wrench manually first.

 

[tarsun]

same thing with my seats when i bought the 4runner. i wound up replacing the seats since the leather was ripped and the mechs' were seized.

took 2 days total to fab up new seat brackets, paint, and get everything mounted up correctly.

 

[Jussa]

Same problem but worse

Hello
I need help here. all my four worm gears worn off. It got stuck, then released. Finally not moving at all.
I need to purchase those worm gears.
Any idea where?
I can produce it in a 3d printing machine if anyone can get my a CAD file.
Thanks

 

[MountainBiker]

Hello
I need help here. all my four worm gears worn off. It got stuck, then released. Finally not moving at all.
I need to purchase those worm gears.
Any idea where?
I can produce it in a 3d printing machine if anyone can get my a CAD file.
Thanks

3d printing will likely be a short term solution. If you can get a CAD file, get them molded at Fathom or similar supplier, and make a bunch for the rest of us!

My solution was to steal the gear from the passenger seat.

 

[USMCDVL]

My '96 had a short of sorts on the passenger side and the wire harness melted. Cut out the wires that went to the seat and rear fan and rig is back up and running sans a passenger powered seat ha ha So obviously I cannot move my seat forward/back or tilt. Does anyone know how to manually adjust the power seats without taking it all apart?

 

[T4R2014]

Front Power Seat Track Gear only 93-97 - $19.99 : CruiserParts.net, Toyota Landcruiser Parts

There's also a copper gear sold on amazon for 45. Looking into whether this is the same part in a 4Runner.