Finally broke something
08-05-2008, 11:11 AM
#1
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Finally broke something
Got in the Jeep after it was baking in 105 degree sun all day, sat in the seat, pulled the little lever on the left side that lifts the seat height and it didnt do anything. I pulled off the little plastic end cap to see what was going on and noticed that the metal shaft was so hot that it melted the plastic gear that it engages. Another mastermind Chrysler design. I guess I am only supposed to drive the Jeep in the winter...
08-05-2008, 02:47 PM
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You must have a bad gear (I hope) cuz mine has been sitting out in heat up to 122 F outside temp so far this year and no melt down yet. Good luck with the new gear.
08-06-2008, 03:56 AM
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That handle is a POS and the heat probably had very little to do with it failing. Several board members have had this problem. I am thinking about working with a local fab guy on a solution. The only metal solution out there is much too expensive, and chrome to boot.
08-07-2008, 07:11 AM
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Yes, it is a POS for sure. To add to the problem the seat never seems to stay at the desired height anyway - I always find the need to crank on that handle to adjust. It would have probably busted sooner or later but I think the heat had something to do with speeding up the process. I can see the plastic got all distorted from being in contact with hot metal. Let me know what you come up with - maybe I'll skip having ip fixed by the dealer...
08-07-2008, 12:54 PM
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Mine is doing the same thing. I have been thinking about trying to rig a low speed motor onto the lift so that I have semi-powered seats! 
It is either that, or leave the vice grips clamped on there...
It is either that, or leave the vice grips clamped on there...
08-07-2008, 03:14 PM
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Probably very similar to the S-10 recliner design with a plastic handle stuck on a metal splined shaft. We had people all the time replacing the handles because they stripped out and some even broke the recliner piece as well.
08-08-2008, 01:35 PM
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I noticed when I would slide my keester out of the driver seat, I would be pushing the lever down and everytime I would get back in, I would have to jack the seat back up. When my lever stripped out, it finally kept the adjustment. Optimisticly, a free mod!!!! 
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08-19-2008, 10:15 AM
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This just happened to me also this past Saturday. Popped the cap off the plastic lever and the "teeth" that are supposed to fit inside the metal grooves, were all stripped. Am I correct in that this is the only problem (i.e. the plastic handle) or is there more to the failure in the inner workings/gear?
02-09-2009, 01:40 PM
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This just happened to me also this past Saturday. Popped the cap off the plastic lever and the "teeth" that are supposed to fit inside the metal grooves, were all stripped. Am I correct in that this is the only problem (i.e. the plastic handle) or is there more to the failure in the inner workings/gear?
Basically, I drilled a hole from the top of the plastic lever, through the metal gear inside, and out the bottom.
Next, I installed a bolt through the hole, cranked it down nice and tight, painted the bolt head black to match the other interior hardware, and put the cap back on.
Works like a charm.
