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Removing Rear Bench Seat...oy

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by DenToyPri05, Apr 5, 2015.

  1. DenToyPri05

    DenToyPri05 Junior Member

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    this shouldn't be difficult. from all that I've read, all I need to do is
    1. move front row of seats all the way forward
    2. step into rear passenger row, facing the trunk/hatch/rear
    3. start from sides of the bench, place hands carefully under leading edge of bench (i suggest carefully because you might run into a hog tie)
    4. run hands along this space under seat until you "bump" into a clip (i think i read that these were officially called joints)
    5. re-adjust hands to sit on either side of clip/joint
    6. pull up

    what am i missing? i can not for the life of me pull this seat up. is there wiggling involved? any pry tools? oyvavoy. and, to my utter shock and dismay...no youtube videos!

    (google, a question, and youtube...that's all i need.)
     
    #1 DenToyPri05, Apr 5, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2015
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  2. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    You are talking about rear seat bottom part? You just pull up on front part of it on the left and right passenger area. I did remove mine in seconds without looking at any instructions.

    Here is link to Toyota manual: FRONT SEAT ASSY rear seat removal starts at page 9.
     
  3. DenToyPri05

    DenToyPri05 Junior Member

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    I got the seat off.

    For anyone who is confused by just how this is supposed to be an easy process, let me just tell you that for me it was not. No amount of tug/pull/grunt/profanity/cussamarathon lifted the bench up.

    So...excuse the poor photo quality.

    Before you start, you should know what you need to look for.

    These are where the attachment points are. Clips, joints, inserts...you'll read all sorts of descriptions. You'll need to run your hands beneath the seat until you find these points. Position yourself to get a good look at them.

    bench_seat_joints.jpg

    Up close after the seat is off, this is what it looks like:
    bench_seat_female_joint.jpg

    There are two u-shaped pieces on the bottom of the bench seat fit into the white plastic:
    IMG_20150405_103139.jpg

    So, now...when you try to remove the bench, if you can lift up the seat, then you're golden. It's supposed to look like this:
    bench_seat_joints_fit.jpg

    If you need to pry, use something you can get decent leverage out of and pry s-l-o-w-l-y. STAY ON TOP OF WHITE PLASTIC! I used my hammer:
    bench_seat_joint_separation.jpg

    Once the connections are disengaged, you pull the bench up and away. Voila!

    When you're ready to put the bench seat back in, tuck the rear of the seat in place first, making sure the seat belts are pulled through (trying to dig them out after the bench is back in can be challenging). After lining everything up, front and rear, double-check to make sure male and female joints are fitted correctly. You may need to drop your knee down firmly on it until you hear a click. Or you may be able to just push with lots of aggression.
     
    #3 DenToyPri05, Apr 5, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 5, 2015
  4. alekska

    alekska Active Member

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    Thanks for the info!
    Alex
     
  5. Bill Masi

    Bill Masi New Member

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    I came inside from tugging on the 'easy out' rear seat. Gave up and looked here for a tip.

    Perfect. Thanks much for taking the time to show it so clearly.
     
  6. SuperAndy

    SuperAndy New Member

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    Thank you! It's weird that this is nowhere on the internet. You made my life so much easier. Thank you again
     
  7. Bumblebeetuna

    Bumblebeetuna Junior Member

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    Just wanted to add that one side for me came out by hand other side made me swear by chiropractors..........ended up using two pry bar screwdrivers on either sides of clip. Weird thing is easy side had a little rust on the the metal fastener.
     
  8. dkfuel

    dkfuel Junior Member

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    Almost five years later your post is still helping people like me out. Thanks.
     
  9. Bumblebeetuna

    Bumblebeetuna Junior Member

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    Yes, thanks for the help!
     
  10. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Those white plastic bits seem to be hard to manufacture just right.

    They're meant to hold onto those metal loops with a nice satisfying but easy kerchunk, and let you pop the loop back out with a nice emphatic but civilized yoink.

    But it seems like very slight variations in how the plastic bit was molded/formed can change how it grips on the loop from 'nice satisfying kerchunk' to 'just try to pull this seat out, loser.'

    I bought this Gen 3 used. The first time I needed the bench out, I think I ended up using two pieces of lumber and other paraphernalia. I got the seat out, and if I remember right, the plastic piece on that side was so mangled after I was done that I got a replacement from the dealer. I think I also spent some time with the new plastic piece and a small file, sort of tuning it to what I would consider "satisfying kerchunk" territory, before putting everything back together.
     
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  11. Bumblebeetuna

    Bumblebeetuna Junior Member

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    A man after my own heart, except not really after my habits! Lol. Better to do it right the first time with the file as you say........
     
  12. TryTryAgain

    TryTryAgain Junior Member

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    BB308EA9-72EE-48DF-8173-42BFDA323A53.jpeg I just broke one removing the backseat. My son dumped a root beer float back there.
    Do you recall what that piece is called? I’d like to attempt to replace it.

     
  13. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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  15. TryTryAgain

    TryTryAgain Junior Member

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    I’m getting 2 even though (at the moment) I only need 1. Thanks!

    Any advice on replacing the hook…aside from filing?

    B59B8C33-5A4A-43AF-A61E-12CFED789F61.jpeg
     
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  16. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Try it on the metal loop of the seat cushion out of the car.

    If you like the way it pulls back out, great. If it's too tenacious, pop it back off (when it's out of the car, you can find where to help with a little tool to release it without damage), take the inner piece out, file it some, and test it again.

    Once you like it, then install it in the car and kerchunk the seat down into it.

    I might be willing to err on the side of less secure. I am not bedeviled by visions of my rear seat popping out while driving.
     
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  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Small item, just one-or-two, I'd contact a local Toyota dealership parts department. likely the part will cost more through them, but no shipping costs. They may even have it in stock, since it's not uncommon to have to pull off the rear seat, and those sockets seem to break easy.
     
  18. TryTryAgain

    TryTryAgain Junior Member

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    Thanks. I ordered 2 from local dealership. Should arrive tomorrow for pickup.

     
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  19. TryTryAgain

    TryTryAgain Junior Member

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    Thanks for sharing your wisdom. I appreciate your time.

     
  20. Heather M

    Heather M New Member

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    Does anyone have a photo of what this loop looks like when it is not surrounded in foam and fabric? I'd like to retain the loop but mount it to wood for a build-out in a Prius camper conversion, so that it can still be kerchunked into the original hooks. Does anyone know?

    upload_2022-1-23_14-5-2.jpeg