Roadmaster/Caprice/Olds Custom Cruiser/Fleetwood Seat Rocking Fix

So I got a Canadian care-package in the mail today. I'd mentioned that the driver's seat in my Roadmaster was "rocking" on fast stops or takeoffs, and it was the track moving, not the bolts. Apparently this is a common issue and these plastic sliders wear out. These were waiting in the mailbox after work, from a fellow wagon lover in The Great White North. Brand new parts! Wagon folks are AWESOME.







Weekend Project!

I don't want the guy that sent me these pestered for more, since I think he raided his parts stash to help me out, so I'll just say I'm sending a big thanks toward the North tonight. Again wagon folks are great people!

In case anyone is looking for these, the Impala Superstore still stocks them:
https://www.impalasuperstore.com/superstore2010/shopexd.asp?id=1097

And they even have really good instructions! Pics in the link below:
http://impalasuperstore.com/superstore2010/storepics/seatslider/seatslider.htm

Installation Instructions:

-First, clear the front seat.
-Position the seat all the way up (highest) to give you some room to work on the rails.
-Move the seat rearward and remove the front trim covers using a Phillips screw driver.
-Remove the 2 front rail bolts using a 13mm socket.
-Move the seat forward and remove the rear trim covers.
-Remove the 4 remaining bolts with a 13mm socket.
-Disconnect the power seat electrical connector.
-Lift the seat and turn it so that the seat is facing your stomach.
-Carefully angle the seat out the driver's door.
-Place the seat on a work bench. You can use a towel to protect your seat.
-Locate the horizontal actuator "plastic slider gear box" holding the seat track.
-Find the two screws holding the actuator in place.
-Remove the screws using a 10 mm wrench.
-Once the bolts are removed, a slight tug will remove the gear box.
-Once the gear box out, push the slider track out toward the front of the seat.
-Remove all of the old broken sliders.
-Ensure the seat track is clean and free of debris before installing the new sliders.
-Make sure the curved parts of the sliders face outward when reinstalling.
-Apply lubricant to steel track. A multi-purpose synthetic based lubricant with
Teflon to prevent friction and wear. Withstands temperatures from -45F. to 450F.
-Start the reassembly.
-Introduce the track back into the seat rail.
-Reinstall the plastic gear box.
-Carefully put the seat back in place and reconnect the electrical connector.
-Reinstall the seat bolts and trim hardware.
-You are finished. Congratulations.

Stock seat track slider vrs aftermarket new one. Can you see the difference??



I can see the difference...

Here is a link from the Impala SS Forum about these too:

http://www.impalassforum.com/vBulletin/8-parts-sale-wanted/275896-seat-sliders-anyone-have-better-source-than-naisso.html
The sliders I was sent were made by Norm, but never were used. I don't think Norm is around anymore. The Impala Superstore is the best place to get them now, as noted above.

Hope this helps other folks fix this!

-Texas Mike
SAVE THE WHALES!

 

Neighbors helping neighbors is what makes our society so great. Even if the neighbor is a few thousand miles away it's always great to hear about.

Glad to see you got the parts you needed and thanks for sharing your information.

 

Yep, wagon folks are just good folks! Can't say it enough!

 

So as noted above, for years now my driver's seat in the Roadmaster wagon has rocked a bit. Being a big dude hasn't helped I'm sure. Anyway the problem had been getting worse, and with the help of our friend up in The Great White North, I finally fixed the seat.

The GM sliders are SO thin and flimsy. The new design are much better sliders, very tough and solid.

Driver's seat removed, was hard to get that big seat out!



Seat rails removed:


The old factory plastic sliders are SHOT, came out in chunks. Plastic Crap!



New slider installed on the left, old factory slider on the right.



New vrs Old sliders. See the difference?



Not my pic, but this is how they look installed. See the white part..arrows? I cleaned everything really well and lubed everything with white lithium grease. Lubed the screw mechanisms that raise and lower the seat as well since the seat was out.


Dark garage pics last night with camera flash makes my interior look funky, but it is all back together and working great!



Good Project, works GREAT!

-Mike

 

Glad to hear it all went together well Mike. It looks like it turned out better than new.
As always, I enjoy your posts. Thanks for sharing.