Front seat rotation

[Kenisted]

I’ve had the location/ support lugs brake on both side plastic trims on both front seats and just found out why
As the front seats are rotated they catch on a bolt
Has anyone else had trouble

 

[Ghostbuster]

Yes I have the same issue on the passenger side

 

[scottk]

Yes I had the same on the drivers seat. Got the dealer to replace the trim and they cut the bolt down a little. The trim was damaged on both sides where it had scraped.

 

[Skootyalan]

I’ve had the location/ support lugs brake on both side plastic trims on both front seats and just found out why
As the front seats are rotated they catch on a bolt
Has anyone else had trouble

View attachment 130068

View attachment 130069

Yes, I have had the same on the passenger front seat

 

[Ghostbuster]

I’ll try to get mine done on first service

 

[Perfectos]

Had mine done as Scottk, dealer replaced trim and cut down bolts

 

[Viktorgeorge]

I’ve had the location/ support lugs brake on both side plastic trims on both front seats and just found out why
As the front seats are rotated they catch on a bolt
Has anyone else had trouble

View attachment 130068

View attachment 130069

The above post, plus the those that followed it, has prompted me today to slightly reduce in height the ‘upward facing’ two bolts (one with nut) which were catching the trim on my seat. These were on the driver’s seat inside rail.

I used a small handheld angle grinder.

I also silicone greased the several fixing catches below the seat.

My rotation is now silky smooth, it was horrible before.

I do have DKS leather seats which may have caused a slight change in the trim position, though from the posts above this problem can also occur with factory fit covers.

 

[Ghostbuster]

it’s only the passenger side on mine that is the issue. The driver side clears easily.
I don’t know if it’s an optical illusion but the passenger side looks like it’s on a slight tilt towards the footwell?

 

[Ghostbuster]

The above post, plus the those that followed it, has prompted me today to slightly reduce in height the ‘upward facing’ two bolts (one with nut) which were catching the trim on my seat. These were on the driver’s seat inside rail.

I used a small handheld angle grinder.

I also silicone greased the several fixing catches below the seat.

My rotation is now silky smooth, it was horrible before.

I do have DKS leather seats which may have caused a slight change in the trim position, though from the posts above this problem can also occur with factory fit covers.

I did learn today that tyre valve dust caps fit the threaded bolts that protrude. At least it will be plastic rubbing on plastic until I can get a warranty repair sorted.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

I did learn today that tyre valve dust caps fit the threaded bolts that protrude. At least it will be plastic rubbing on plastic until I can get a warranty repair sorted.

Surely putting dust caps on the protruding bolts would make make them taller, so exacerbate the problem?

It seems to me, if you have this problem (which may be uncommon) you can: (i) as I have slightly reduce the bolt height in-situ using an angle grinder (I diamond filed the heads after and then black felt tipped them - so that the alteration is invisible); (ii) remove the seat and use a hacksaw similarly (iii); possibly lift the seat slightly with spacer/washers; (iv) cut out the part of the plastic trim that catches the bolts.

I imagine that a "warranty repair" would do one of the above, with the associated risk that the technician may not be quite as careful as an owner, leaving a cruder fix.

 

[Ghostbuster]

Surely putting dust caps on the protruding bolts would make make them taller, so exacerbate the problem?

It seems to me, if you have this problem (which may be uncommon) you can: (i) as I have slightly reduce the bolt height in-situ using an angle grinder (I diamond filed the heads after and then black felt tipped them - so that the alteration is invisible); (ii) remove the seat and use a hacksaw similarly (iii); possibly lift the seat slightly with spacer/washers; (iv) cut out the part of the plastic trim that catches the bolts.

I imagine that a "warranty repair" would do one of the above, with the associated risk that the technician may not be quite as careful as an owner, leaving a cruder fix.

The dust caps have a flat top but yes it does exacerbates the problem slightly but limits the scuffing to the trim. I thought I would mention it as when cutting the thread may leave a rough edge and this just neatens the ends that's all.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

The dust caps have a flat top but yes it does exacerbates the problem slightly but limits the scuffing to the trim. I thought I would mention it as when cutting the thread may leave a rough edge and this just neatens the ends that's all.

That concerned me too, but I was fortunate to have a small diamond file (for my Felco garden shears) with which I was able to round off and smooth the cut bolt ends.

 

[Ghostbuster]

In the light of day and on on closer inspection it would appear the typically Volkswagen plastic clips that hold the seat trim are the issue.
Pointing them out with white arrows they are pushed in and not gripping. The top clip has also come adrift. There is a front T27 torx PLASTIC screw hold the front corner in place. Really!
The screw insert I heated up and reformed so the screw now holds.
I have been tempted to replace with a metal screw and mixing and metal E clips to hold the plastic stalks in place but with the battery terminals being below thought better of it.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

Hello @Ghostbuster, from your first photo I extracted the photo below to identify the two bolts, one with a nut, which were the problem on my driver's seat inner rail (whilst your problem is on the passenger seat). In your case these two bolts seem to be well below the seat trim whilst my problem was that the seat trim caught on the top of these bolts so I reduced their height slightly as #7 above. I don't see how the modification you describe in #13 above would have helped in my case: since, as unless I have misunderstood you, it would not change the trim's height above the two bolts.

 

[Ghostbuster]

Hello @Ghostbuster, from your first photo I extracted the photo below to identify the two bolts, one with a nut, which were the problem on my driver's seat inner rail (whilst your problem is on the passenger seat). In your case these two bolts seem to be well below the seat trim whilst my problem was that the seat trim caught on the top of these bolts so I reduced their height slightly as #7 above. I don't see how the modification you describe in #13 above would have helped in my case: since, as unless I have misunderstood you, it would not change the trim's height above the two bolts.

View attachment 130427

I can see why you would come to that conclusion but despite how it looks on that photo the trim did hit the bolt when the seat was turned.

 

[Viktorgeorge]

I can see why you would come to that conclusion but despite how it looks on that photo the trim did hit the bolt when the seat was turned.

Hello @Ghostbuster, photo's can be deceptive! But, I still still do not understand why those trim fixings you detail could cause the trim to drop lower itself over the bolts, unless of course they had popped out and the trim was loose; and even if they had, refixing the trims - which has no apparent height adjustment on its fixings - would surely reinstate the same problem? Reverting to my post #10 the only alternatives to reducing the bolt heights seems to be to be to remove a little of the trim over them with a sharp blade or plane, or add spacers to the seat's fixings.

 

[Ghostbuster]

Hello @Ghostbuster, photo's can be deceptive! But, I still still do not understand why those trim fixings you detail could cause the trim to drop lower itself over the bolts, unless of course they had popped out and the trim was loose; and even if they had, refixing the trims - which has no apparent height adjustment on its fixings - would surely reinstate the same problem? Reverting to my post #10 the only alternatives to reducing the bolt heights seems to be to be to remove a little of the trim over them with a sharp blade or plane, or add spacers to the seat's fixings.

Sorry for making it clear. Yes they had popped out and caused the trim to drop slightly. Teasing the little plastic lugs outwards, the trim is holding straight, at least for now.

 

[Ghostbuster]

Well, since my last post the seat trim has come apart once more.
On further inspection of the protruding spare bolts I noticed they are splined.
So with one swift strike of a hammer and they are out.
No cutting or painting required.
Job done!

 

[Viktorgeorge]

CORRECTED POST

Hello @Ghostbuster, I just tried this and you are right. Using a heavy copper hammer it took me two attempts. I chickened out initially as it was more that a "swift stroke" on mine but after many firm but careful blows they do pop down, thank you. I needed a magnet to retrieve them the bolts. I did all four bolts on both seats.

I am not sure if it was any easier a fix than my angle grinder (or hacksaw as @Tycho below) approach to shorten the bolts - plus with an angle grinder you can additionally reduce the next door bolt down to the nut if that catches the trim, but yours is a good alternative.

 

[Tycho]

Hello @Ghostbuster, just to check: are you still talking, in #18 immediately above, about the bolts circled in #1 above?

If you are, am I correct in understanding that the bolts will drop down if you smack the on the top, ie. they are only held in place by the corrugation/spline just above the bolt's head (the bolts being upside down, with the head concealed below the rail) - so not held in place by the thread?

Given your post I just tried your tip on the drive seat (RHD) bolt (as photos below) using a heavy copper hammer without success, I am nervous about hitting any harder as the rail could bend. I think your bolt issues are on the passenger seat (RHD) is it possible the bolt here are different I wonder?

View attachment 132906View attachment 132907

I put a nut on it and used a saw to cut the top of. A bit of hamerite to prevent rust and job done. Needs only to drop a mm or 2.