1990 245

This is my first "walkthrough" (a pretty short & sad one lol) - so go easy on me lol. I am no match for Art Benstein. Anyway, here it goes.

My backseat release handle has been broken for a good while, and I found the part on IPD's website (could have probably purchased it for less from Tasca):

[IMG]http://i46.tinypic.com/316am4o.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/66gtxw.jpg[/IMG]



I went in to install it, and figured I would document my adventure:

Step 1 - Remove trim. This was the hardest part for me - so hard that I broke it. Aged plastic is not so pliable. When "prying" with a screwdriver - don't actually "pry" - push the screwdriver and twist a bit.

[IMG]http://i46.tinypic.com/f0p9ib.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]http://i48.tinypic.com/2uo03sh.jpg[/IMG]


Step 2 - Remove the two screws for the handle. WARNING - Don't drop the screws behind the upholstery! I didn't, but it looks like it could be a terrible recovery process without an "extendo-matic magnetic rod".

[IMG]http://i47.tinypic.com/3581cgi.jpg[/IMG]


[IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/2wgg2dx.jpg[/IMG]


Don't drop it in here:
[IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/2wn49s4.jpg[/IMG]


Step 3 - Pull the handle out. Disconnect the cable loop, and two side clips (white plastic). I found it easiest to push the unit in, push it to the left and pop out the right clip (flathead screwdriver), then do the same for the left clip. Look at the new handle to see how the clips hold on the plastic nipples - seeing what you are fiddling with expedites the fiddling.

[IMG]http://i47.tinypic.com/ezfl2p.jpg[/IMG]


Step 4 - Now, push the whole handle downward and pop the top out of the hole first (seemed to work best). Continue pushing downward while you pull on the top - it will come out pretty smoothly.

[IMG]http://i45.tinypic.com/fa6l9h.jpg[/IMG]


Step 5 - Install is reverse of removal. Aligning the handle into all three objects (cable, left clip, right clip) requires much patience. The whole unit inside the seat (cable and clips) can be easily moved up and down as well - so use this to your advantage. I managed to clip all three onto the new unit before pushing the bottom of the unit into the hole.

After you get the three on and put the handle in, the rest is cake!

[IMG]http://i48.tinypic.com/359imtx.jpg[/IMG]


I realize this is MUCH easier said than done, but it REALLY isn't half bad. Post your successes/failures!


Enjoy,

Mike

Thank you for posting this. I am stuck and hope you can help. Your pictures don’t show up, which would possibly answer my question. I have removed the latch and am attempting to disconnect the cable. It appears to be held on by a wire with a twist and two weird washers. How do I get that off without breaking something? HELP!

I realize I'm responding to a very old thread but I have a new-to-me 1990 245 and the PO apparently ditched the handle mechanism and used pliers...I have a replacement (from a 945) handle and I found the white triangular cable guide/holder in the back of my car, but I think I am missing some of the other pieces I need to put the handle mechanism back together...anyone have any more photos or detail showing how the cables attach to the handle?

"the PO apparently ditched the handle mechanism and used pliers."

You don't require pliers. On each latch mechanism you'll find a small nub facing backward, push it downward while pulling the seat back forward. That will release that side. Do the same for the other latch. You could drill a very small hole in the nub and insert a pull ring.

Myself, I haven't bothered trying to hook up another center handle. But the wires from the handle run down, across and then up to the inside of the latch mechanism where it attaches to the release part.
--
1980 245 Canadian B21A with SU carb, M46 trans, 3:31 dif, in Brampton, Ont.

Hi,
Well Mike I did it! Your walk through was i) enough reassurance I could attempt it and ii) clear enough to make the job a success. I thought I should let you know that post was very helpful. I had the post loaded on my laptop, waited for the sun to warm up the car to about 30F and climbed in the back with tools (and a very nosy border collie).

I was amazed after much fiddling how easily the cable loop and plastic 'pegs' went on--at first it felt like a fluke.

Two thoughts: I luckily had a bunch of torx drivers and managed to find the right one for the screw heads. I regrettably don't know which size (maybe 8?). Lastly I managed to get enough purchase on the old stub to release the seat back. I pushed it forward (without removing the seat base) and found it a little more roomy and less of an issue with the risk of losing any screws.

I think the design is pretty silly. This is the first time I have replaced the handle I have the car seven years and done over 120k in it--probably dropping the seat 10 or 12 times a year, but I like the 140 set up better.

Once again thanks Mike and to BB for a great source of support and info.

Cheers,
Rod

I have a 1986 240 DL wagon, which has a different handle (I think), anyway I have only a single wire from the right side that I can access through the back hole left when the handle is removed. Do you know how to get the seat down without pulling the two cables toward the center?

Hi,

If you take a look at the latches on either side of the backseat while you pull on the seat itself, you can see the metal piece that is "locking" the seat in place. Just take a flathead screwdriver and push it in while pulling the seat. That's how I always put the seat down, before replacing the handle.

Let me know if that description made any sense.

Mike

I have heard this described before, but just don't seem to "get it". Any chance you might be able to snap a picture or two pinpointing the area? Thanks.

Charles
Bothell, WA (formerly Houston, TX)

Sure I will take a few tonight

Hey,

Sorry it took me so long to get these pictures - been very busy doing the headgasket!

So - the first picture here shows what you see when the seat is "locked" in place:


[IMG]http://i46.tinypic.com/n2liqt.jpg[/IMG]


The second shows what happens when you "push down" on the metal "holder" with a screwdriver/punch/like tool. Hard to get a good shot - but you will see when you try!


[IMG]http://i50.tinypic.com/30wktn9.jpg[/IMG]

Mike

It`s not quite as easy as the pics make it look. There is a push on lock washer that holds the spring on to the plastic lever post and it`s not fun to remove.

Thanks for posting the pictures. Unfortunately, my 1987 does not have a latch mechanism that looks like that. It looks like they changed the latch when they changed the release handle and cable configuration for the 1989 and on models.

Charles
Mukilteo, WA (formerly Houston, TX)

You are correct. However, the white part in your case is 2 pieces and will work that same on the new handle as the one outlined in this post.

Hope this helps.

Nicely done, Mike. I truly wish I had this to do over again. That butchery I exercised on our wagon means I'll have to pull the entire seat back in a Crazy Ray's yard to have the opportunity to do it correctly, like you did.
--
Art Benstein near Baltimore

He often broke into song because he couldn't find the key.

I have been hoping that someone would post pictures of this procedure. Unfortunately, after taking my release handle out, I found out that there are three (3) different versions of the handle. There is the up to 86 version, the 87-88 version, and the 89 on version. The cables are different on the pre-89 version and the -89 on.

Of course I would have to have the version that was only made for 2 years.

Charles
Bothell, WA (formerly from Houston, TX)

I will be wishing I did it your way when my new handle breaks after the 4th or 5th use. Yours looks a bit more durable (read the thread where you posted a picture). Is it working decently?

Looks like a pretty good walkthrough, Mike, but those pictures are just too big. I like to keep anything I post to a forum or on a webpage no bigger than 800 pixels wide. One-third of your photos are hanging off my screen, and I do not keep my screen resolution lower than most.

Yeah I find it annoying too...but how do you shrink them?

Get an Apple and be done with Microsoft crap. Pictures are perfect for me

When I uploaded the pictures on "TinyPic", I forgot to pick the "Message Board" size, and left it at "Default". Brickboard won't let me edit the post...so zoom out a bit :P

GIMP. It is a free GNU-licensed Image Manipulation Program available for download. The GIMP is nearly as useful and powerful as Adobe Photoshop, but does not cost $600.

Download, install, run program. It will take some time to learn to use the GIMP, but resizing is easy. You only have to drag your file into the GIMP window to open it, then go to Image/Scale Image...
and change the width to 800 pixels or less. That size will be good for the majority of computer users. Save your file (with a new file name, in case you screwed something up) and you're done.