Reclining the passenger seat backward

[EdwardDennis]

I stopped by my dealership today to confirm that my Passion coupe is due in shortly. While meandering about the showroom floor, I was toying with the front seats of a floor model. I noticed that the passenger seat won't recline backwards (from an upright position), even if the seat bottom is moved forward. Any one happen to know of a way to modify the seat to get it to recline back more?

[ShoeMan]

I found this out after getting delivery on mine. I have been trying to figure a way out if not I will have to replace the seat.

[Karl Roth]

search evolutions posts he will tell you how to modify your seats to make it easy to get brain damage. Hope that helps
karl

[Smartdavis]

If you look carefully at the outside of the mechanism attached to the side of the seat you can see how a very small indentation/tab stops the seat. I think if you can get it apart, you could remove it, or grind it down, and that would allow the seat to recline further.

[EdwardDennis]

Originally Posted by Karl Roth

search evolutions posts he will tell you how to modify your seats to make it easy to get brain damage. Hope that helps
karl

Huh? I can't locate any posts relating to reclining the seats rearward (...the same feature found in most other cars).

Just wanted to know if there's a technique/feature/option available to get the passenger seat to recline...

[Smartdavis]

We haven't found one yet except to take apart the seat mechanism (make sure you disconnect the battery first) and then grind down the little tab (and it is very very little) that is holding the seat in such an upright angle. I haven't had the guts to try it yet, but I'm about to.

[EdwardDennis]

Originally Posted by Smartdavis

We haven't found one yet except to take apart the seat mechanism (make sure you disconnect the battery first) and then grind down the little tab (and it is very very little) that is holding the seat in such an upright angle. I haven't had the guts to try it yet, but I'm about to.

Um, okay.
Go in the garage and try it. We'll wait here for your prompt reply...;)

Seriously though, my impression of the floor model was that the seatback dropped all the way forward or straight upright and locked into either positions. So, if you remove the tab, won't the seat be loose and have nothing to lock it into position? It seems the mechanism should be like a rachet-type device (similar to other cars) that permits adjustment at different stops.

[msjohnson1974]

The question is... WHY do you need it to go into full recline? Its unsafe to drive or ride that way as you risk having the seatbelt take your head off in a crash.

[EdwardDennis]

ARGHHH!!! Not full recline** simply a standard rearward recline of maybe a couple of inches (...just like the front seats in typical sedans. Sit in an Accord or Camry or Buick some time and adjust the front seatbacks. They pivot fore and aft with no seatbelt issues.)

On long trips, it often helps to be able to adjust the seatback angle forward or rearward a couple of inches. From what I gather, this apparently isn't possible on the current Smart models.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by EdwardDennis

ARGHHH!!! Not full recline** simply a standard rearward recline of maybe a couple of inches (...just like the front seats in typical sedans. Sit in an Accord or Camry or Buick some time and adjust the front seatbacks. They pivot fore and aft with no seatbelt issues.)

On long trips, it often helps to be able to adjust the seatback angle forward or rearward a couple of inches. From what I gather, this apparently isn't possible on the current Smart models.

Take a look at the distance from the back of your head to the rear window. then keep in mind that the back window is the end of the car. ...
feel free to grind the tabs off. The range is fairly upright and is the safest position in any car.
karl