Driver seat broke

[Lazarus Long]

I got in my 97 tahoe today, felt the seat pop, and now it kind of flops backward (the whole seat, not just the back). Turns bottom seat frame broke where it bolts to the rail. It is the the seat bottom that is broken, not the rail that the seat is (or was) bolted to.

 

Right now I have the 2nd row bench folded down, which wedges up against the back of the driver seat and keeps it from tipping back, so I don't think I have an immediate problem.

 

Can this be fixed, or do I need to start looking for a new seat?

[00Silverado4x4]

By the sounds of it I'd start looking for a replacement seat. I'm not sure if there is any repairing it or not.

[dalinspect]

I got in my 97 tahoe today, felt the seat pop, and now it kind of flops backward (the whole seat, not just the back). Turns bottom seat frame broke where it bolts to the rail. It is the the seat bottom that is broken, not the rail that the seat is (or was) bolted to.Right now I have the 2nd row bench folded down, which wedges up against the back of the driver seat and keeps it from tipping back, so I don't think I have an immediate problem.Can this be fixed, or do I need to start looking for a new seat?

I had a 94 with what might have been the same problem I took the seat out and braised it it lasted until I sold it a couple years later

 

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[bronyaur]

I had the same problem with my '95 Suburban. I welded a right angle brace over the corner where it broke. That was 14 years ago and it's still holding up.

[dalinspect]

I had the same problem with my '95 Suburban. I welded a right angle brace over the corner where it broke. That was 14 years ago and it's still holding up.

I was going to weld mine too but was worried I would catch the seat on fire. Weld is definitely stronger compared to braising I did, especially when using another piece of metal like that angle iron. Give the welding a try. You have nothing to lose if you are going to look for a new seat anyway. Maybe you won't need to waste your time and money purchasing a seat. Either way you have to take the seat out too.

 

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[bronyaur]

I was going to weld mine too but was worried I would catch the seat on fire. Weld is definitely stronger compared to braising I did, especially when using another piece of metal like that angle iron. Give the welding a try. You have nothing to lose if you are going to look for a new seat anyway. Maybe you won't need to waste your time and money purchasing a seat. Either way you have to take the seat out too.

 

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I was worried about catching the seat on fire also, so I soaked a bunch of rags with water and packed them under the area I welded. I welded in small spots to keep the heat down, and to prevent warping. I also had a squirt bottle with water to cool it down after each weld. Seemed to work well.

[dalinspect]

 

I was worried about catching the seat on fire also, so I soaked a bunch of rags with water and packed them under the area I welded. I welded in small spots to keep the heat down, and to prevent warping. I also had a squirt bottle with water to cool it down after each weld. Seemed to work well.

Hopefully Lazarus Long reads this and gives the welding a shot. It will last him and be worth it.

 

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[Lazarus Long]

Just got my Tahoe back. He said he was able to weld a bracket and tap a new hole for the bolt. Seems to be ok, he says it should be a permanent fix.