2-Door seats functioning poorly

[Limn]

The seats in my e30 are manual sport seats for a two door. Unfortunately, when you pull the side lever and try to move the seats forward like they used to (this is a recent problem, the driver side stopped working a bit ago, and now the passenger seat won't work either), they just won't come forward. If I use the lower lever to make the seat back come up and be perpendicular to the ground, then the upper level will bend the seat forward, but only if the seat back is moved up past the point of being comfortable to sit in.

Is this a common issue, and if so, is there a way to fix it?

[jlevie]

I'm not sure that I understand what you are trying to describe. If you mean that the seat back doesn't tilt forward, then the gas shocks in the seat have lost pressure and need to be replaced. if you mean that the seat won't slide forward, the sliders are probably full of crud and need to be cleaned and lubricated.

[Beach Bum]

The cables have probably come loose for the handles. Pull the rear panel off the seats and check the lines. It's easy to see where stuff is supposed to go.

[Limn]

I'm not sure that I understand what you are trying to describe. If you mean that the seat back doesn't tilt forward, then the gas shocks in the seat have lost pressure and need to be replaced. if you mean that the seat won't slide forward, the sliders are probably full of crud and need to be cleaned and lubricated.

Oh no, the tilt forward, and slide forward just fine. But when you pull the side lever they are supposed to squish into themselves beyond normal tilting to allow someone to climb into the back. That function is what wasn't working.

I'll pull the back panel off and see if I notice anything

[noE30]

mine have also been doing this lately. When I pull up on the handle to allow someone in the back, its like i cant pull it up all the way ( it just stops and will not lift up any further) and it only comes forward like an inch.

[red325]

Well, if we're all posting up about our seat issues...

My passenger sport seat can't move forwards or backwards. Railings are clear and lubrication didn't do the trick...

[Simon S]

great e30 sport seat repair guide