08 outback seat frame repair

[brus brother]

While driving today, the driver side front seat gave way on the inner side front corner. As best as I can guess a spot weld(?) may have given way.

The seat is automatic and when I try to adjust the seat portion to tilt, it doesn't engage that side. 

Can the actual cushion be peeled back enough to be able to first locate and then make a repair or do I need to remove the entire seat from the car?
Disconnect battery and connectors for heated seat, airbag(?) and James Bond ejector?

[brus brother]

for those searching, I found the following link and write up that may solve my issue.

will report back after I f' up along the way.

https://www.clubsub.org.nz/forum/index.php?/topic/53970-electric-seat-base-repair/

[lmdew]

Used seats are pretty cheap at you pull yards.  Glad you found a fix.

[brus brother]

local you pull yards around CT
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ANrceU4oXw4?feature=share

[moosens]

I hear ya Jim , but maybe check Johnny’s in Thomaston, Milford Auto Recyclers next to the old Perkins Subaru, and I think LaJoie’s in Norwalk but I haven’t dealt with them in 20 years.

Just a few yards left that are ok with us trampling on their property. 
 

Over the line in Bedford NY I think is another good yard. 
 

And there’s F&S who are Subaru specialists for decades. They are pricey but very likely to fill your need if it’s a Subaru. They have a yard in Roxbury and their main shop is in Waterbury. 
 

Good luck! 

[idosubaru]

On 11/22/2023 at 5:43 AM, brus brother said:

for those searching, I found the following link and write up that may solve my issue.

will report back after I f' up along the way.

https://www.clubsub.org.nz/forum/index.php?/topic/53970-electric-seat-base-repair/

Looks awkward but simple, seats are cumbersome to maneuver in and out of the cabin but otherwise it’s not too bad. The seat rail ends/bolt down tabs want to stick out and catch paint if you’re no careful.  Hopefully you’re not knocking that out with a foot of incoming snow. 

yours are probably fine I don’t see this too often, but it’s annoying if it does and you have more rust up there than me so just in case:I’ve had a few that the seat bolts are rusted and have had seat bolt threads strip before.  If they feel tight - work them back and forth to slowly break the rust up. If it’s really tight take a break once the bolt turns two or so times. The tighter it is the less turns per break. Go work on something else and let the metal cool down.  The threads strip and bolts sheer largely due to heat build up. Heat increases plastic deformation of metals and it also causes things to expand - making the problem worse. Heat will strip a bolt well before the use actually will. let it cool.  Spraying lubricant is a lubricant and helps conduct heat away from the point of friction too.