After years of Z ownership I finally had it. Every time I would get out of my Z or shift in the seat (to get my wallet from my back pocket or taking a hard turn) I would hear an annoying squeak from the driver's seat
. I have seen many people asking for a fix over the years, but haven't had the time/will to do it myself.
The cause of the squeak/click is excessive lateral play in the front of the seat where it meets the main lateral support rod. To fix, we will insert 2 washers in-between the seat and the support rod to close the gab and stop the lateral “play.” There is a TSB out for this, but I haven't seen any DIY guide and my method differs a bit so I thought I would post this up.
Link to original TSB:
http://www.myzroadster.com/Files/tsb.../NTB02-122.pdf
Keep in mind the TSB calls for adding washers to both sides. I found the other side to be more difficult to get to than it is worth, and if you add both washers to the inboard side you accomplish the same thing without the hassle.
It is ridiculously easy, requires no special washer, and takes about 30 minutes of real work. Enjoy!
Tools required:
-14 mm socket (seat bolts)
-Extension (makes removing 4 seat bolts easier)
-Flathead screwdriver (not 100% necessary, but makes removing the clips under the seat easier)
-10mm socket (little bolt under seat)
-Torque wrench (for seat bolts @ 32-42 ft/lbs)
-2 metal washers - 5/8” inner diameter; 1 3/8 outer diameter (NOTE: You can get any outer diameter you want, but I found this size to fit best)
Step 1: Unplug the negative battery terminal. WAIT AT LEAST 3 MINUTES BEFORE PROCEEDING!!! The FSM and TSB both call for this if your vehicle is equipped with side airbags. I don't know why it is required, but presume it has something to do with the airbag and the ECU. Either way, I don't want to mess around, so just unplug and wait (grab your tools in the meantime)
Step 2: Go under seat and remove any connectors. Mine had 2, which came off easy with the assistance of a flathead screwdriver.
Step 3: Remove headrest. This makes taking the seat out of the car easier (no pics)
Step 4: Remove the little black plastic caps that cover the 4 14mm bolts holding the seat in (no pics)
Step 5: Using the 14 socket and extension, remove the 4 bolts holding the seat in place (no pics)
Step 6: Remove seat from vehicle
Step 7: Lay seat on a clean surface (lay down a sheet or similar so it doesn’t get filthy). This is what you will see:
Seat bottom:
Seat side (this is the support rod sticking through the end of the seat support bracket – the rod on which you will slip the 2 washers to close the gap which is causing the seat squeaking):
Step 8: Remove the small 10mm bolt on the left side of the seat (circled in the picture). This will allow you to pull the end of the support rod out of the metal plate and use regular washers purchased from your local hardware store (the TSB calls for “special” washers that have a cutout to allow you install from around the rod on the seat). My method allows you to slip the washers onto the end of the rod (via the removal of the 10mm bolt), so no “special” BS washers required.
Step 9: Pull the seat apart by bracing your fingers on the seat and pulling gently on the metal plate in which the support rod is sticking through. Once you pull enough, the rod will come free from the end of the metal plate.
Step 10: Insert both washers onto the end of the metal rod. Once on, insert the rod back into the metal support plate. It should look like this:
Rod and metal support plate with washers inserted (notice that the rod sticks through the metal less, but still has enough clearance to safely support your weight):
Step 11: Screw the 10mm bolt back into the support bracket
Step 12: Pull out the trusty vacuum and clean all that clag that you can never reach with your seat on
Step 13: Place seat back in car and torque the 4 seat bolts to 32-42 ft/lbs using a torque wrench.
Step 14: Reconnect any cables you disconnected when removing the seat. Make sure they do not bind/pinch when adjusting the seat forward and backward.
Step 15: Reconnect battery negative
Washer Details (you want the bigger one - the one with the 5/8" inner diameter):
Have a sarsaparilla to celebrate....no more squeaking!!!
DIY: Seat squeak/click fix
