Drivers seat loose - 2000 Camry - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

Morley · 05-11-2005, 12:32 PM

Hi everyone,

I just purchased a 2000 Camry XLE with leather.

My question is this:

Is there any way to fix the excess play in the drivers seat backing?
Everytime I give it gas from a stop, the seat backing moves back about 1".
It's very anoying and I would like to repair this...
If I grab the seat and move the backrest back and forth, there is alot of
play in there..

Has anyone else had the same problem on their 4th gen Camry?
I took out the drivers seat last night and noticed that the bar that goes across from one side
to the other has some play in it.... But it is being held on by snap rings... This should have
been designed with locknuts instead...

Any info, much appreciated,
Thanks,

***BLUEMEANIE*** · 05-11-2005, 01:09 PM

my gen3 did that on both front seats from day one ... I just got use to it. I don't think there's anything to be fixed, thats just the way they are.

jhbhatia · 05-11-2005, 04:06 PM

Take it to the dealership to see if you model qualifies for the TSB (rock motion). Check alldata.com website

Ruffrydasean · 05-11-2005, 10:03 PM

Yea mine does that too.. but I guess I got a bit used to it.. I have a 97.

It slides back and forth one notch everyonce in awhile when accelerating and stopping..

aleks77 · 05-12-2005, 01:35 AM

mine 2000 XLE does it also, the moving aint that annyoing but the sound is, its like click clack grrr

jhbhatia · 05-12-2005, 10:50 AM

I hate it at morning rush hour

skewe · 05-12-2005, 02:59 PM

go check it at a dealer. might be something that is cheap to fix, as opposed to worrying about it for the next 5yrs

steve97 · 05-13-2005, 01:53 PM

Heard its a poor design, terribly expensive to fix and the replacement fix doesn't last long. Just gotta learn to live with it.

lenjack · 05-13-2005, 05:31 PM

My 98 did that...fixed under warranty very quickly. This might be dangerous...might give way while you're driving.

Morley · 05-16-2005, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve97

Heard its a poor design, terribly expensive to fix and the replacement fix doesn't last long. Just gotta learn to live with it.

I appreciate everyones comments on this...
However, I will fix it, regardless of what it takes.. I cannot live with something like this..
And I will post up how I fixed it..
Stay tuned..!!

haa21 · 05-16-2005, 12:06 PM

I had the same problem on my 2000 with the power seat mechanism. I had mine replaced under warranty. The dealer told me I was lucky it was still under warranty because it is a $700-$800 job.

infox · 05-16-2005, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by haa21

I had the same problem on my 2000 with the power seat mechanism. I had mine replaced under warranty. The dealer told me I was lucky it was still under warranty because it is a $700-$800 job.

damn, if I had to pay $800 for my seat to stop moving like that I would just say screw it and buy new/better seats. My driver seat which is powered is doing the same thing

Morley · 05-26-2005, 07:42 AM

Ok UPDATE:

I fixed the problem.
It cost me nothing but 2 washers, and about 4 hours of my time.
I can do it in about 2 hours now that I know exactly what needs to be done to fix the problem.

Unfortunately I would have taken some pics, but my friends girlfriend dropped my digicam a few weeks ago and needless to say it's finished.

So I will try to explain this as best I can.

1.) Remove defective seat
2.) Put seat on bench, and flip upside down
3.) Remove all 4 bolts that hold the guide rails to the underseat.
4.) The seat is still attached via the tilt hinges, but the rail assembly can now move a little.
5.) Remove the side bottom peaice of plastic on the seat. (Not the peice with the power buttons on it, but the one below it)
6.) You will see 2 different bars (shafts) that go across the bottom of the seat, one will be rusty and the other one is black. They are both held on by C Rings. If you play with the bars you will notice alot of play from side to side, and up and down. This is where the problem is.
7.) Remove only 1 C ring from one bar, and then remove only 1 C Ring from the other bar.
Whichever side you decide to remove on the black bar, remove the opposite side on the rusted bar. This is to distribute the shim load you are about to fabricate.
8.) You need 2 washers that the center hole have a diameter large enough so you can slide it onto the shaft. Exact size, Im not sure, I just had some old washers in my junk drawer.
9.) Once you have 2 washers that will fit onto the shafts, you need to grind the washers down so that they are very thin. Otherwise you will not be able to snap the C Ring back on after.
This takes alot of grinding, and test fitting, and then more grinding etc.. you get the picture.
10.) Once you have the washers at the right thickness, install on shaft ends, and reinstall C rings, and put the seat back together.
11.) Test drive and you will see that the problem is gone.

I have asked the dealer about fixing the problem and they wanted to replace the entire seat. Also looked online for quite some time now, and nobody has posted a fix for this common problem. So I hope this will help others

I know this problem really bothered me, and was the only thing on the Camry that I could not stand. So I did one of my custom jobs once again..

Let me know if this is unclear, or if you require any further instructions.

Morley

2000 XLE Camry

terrastrife · 05-26-2005, 08:46 AM

i dont have powered seats, so adjusting for me takes a split second to go from upright racer to laid back ricer :P

skewe · 05-26-2005, 10:15 AM

Good job

now, we know how to tackle this problem as opposed to changing the whole seat. Damn dealers.