Hi all,

 

Just bought a used Skoda Octavia today and thought I did a thorough inspection but shortly realised that I can't move the angle of the drivers seat forward. It will move back and recline more but it is stuck when I try to move it forward. Currently driving around almost laying down so desperately need this sorted ASAP. I have tried googling the problem hoping to find a guide or instructional video on how to fix it but I can't find anything. Most google results are relating to child car seats.

 

It is a manual adjuster (Not electric). The cog like circle thing... Don't know what they're called!

 

Is there an easy way to pop off the plastic cog and see if something is jammed in there? Or will I need to remove the entire seat from the car etc?

 

Any help from anyone who is familiar with the seat recliner adjuster would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

 

@perryibanez - Could you tell us which model and trim level you have please?

7 hours ago, KenONeill said:

@perryibanez - Could you tell us which model and trim level you have please?

 

I'm not 100% sure... It's the Ambient version if that helps. Looks pretty basic inside. Cloth seats etc.

 

Edit: Oh it's a 55 plate so a Mk2 I believe.

Edited 16 October, 20187 yr by perryibanez
Update

Try physically lifting the seat while turning the wheel in the correct direction, that will often overcome a sticky spot, if it works then run it through the full range of motion a few times.

 

When the seat is near horizontal it takes a lot more force to make the mechanism work raising the seat back, too much in fact and I always use the above method if the seat has been fully reclined for sleeping etc.

 

That type of adjuster has been standard on most cars since the early 90's without any issues, I had done an emergency stop on the motorway and was rammed from behind by a van, the driver not paying attention, I blacked out and came round laying across the back seat with the wrecked car rolling down the hill (Reigate hill), the mechanism is designed to progressively fail in that circumstance but to my surprise when I tried raising the seat as described above it came back up and worked perfectly ever since (I rebuilt the car).

Edited 16 October, 20187 yr by J.R.

On 16/10/2018 at 17:12, J.R. said:

Try physically lifting the seat while turning the wheel in the correct direction, that will often overcome a sticky spot, if it works then run it through the full range of motion a few times.

 

When the seat is near horizontal it takes a lot more force to make the mechanism work raising the seat back, too much in fact and I always use the above method if the seat has been fully reclined for sleeping etc.

 

That type of adjuster has been standard on most cars since the early 90's without any issues, I had done an emergency stop on the motorway and was rammed from behind by a van, the driver not paying attention, I blacked out and came round laying across the back seat with the wrecked car rolling down the hill (Reigate hill), the mechanism is designed to progressively fail in that circumstance but to my surprise when I tried raising the seat as described above it came back up and worked perfectly ever since (I rebuilt the car).

 

I've tried that but it still won't budge. I'm a 6"3 16stone ex Rugby player and I was pushing with my shoulder whilst trying to turn it but it still wouldn't budge. My next plan is to have a mate turn the mechanism while I smash into it as hard as I can. I have seen a lot of youtube videos of people doing this to fix Mini's.

 

If that fails I guess I need to take it apart and take a look inside. But I won't have a clue what I'm looking at.

24 minutes ago, perryibanez said:

 

I've tried that but it still won't budge. I'm a 6"3 16stone ex Rugby player and I was pushing with my shoulder whilst trying to turn it but it still wouldn't budge. My next plan is to have a mate turn the mechanism while I smash into it as hard as I can. I have seen a lot of youtube videos of people doing this to fix Mini's.

 

 

 

Not a good plan....

On 17/10/2018 at 19:21, xman said:

 

Not a good plan....

 

Do you have a better alternative?

Remove the backrest cover and look at the gubbins.

 

Look here