By PSD on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 07:38 am: Edit

I am the (happy) owner of a LR New Disco TD5 that I bought in Belgium two years ago and that I imported directly to Mozambique. Unfortunately, there is a slight problem with the rear seat (i.e. the ones directly behind the driver seat - not the third row - I do not have a third row).

When the pivotal hinges on the rear seats are fully engaged in the seats upright position, the hinge do not lock sufficiently causing a small degree of movement (approx. 2cm now and 1 cm initially when I bought the car) across the whole length of the back seats, which will result in the back of the seat rattling as the car is driven (awfully irritating).

I tried to have the problem fixed by Land Rover Mozambique but they were unable to help me. I then went to Land Rover South Africa and the only device they found to reduce slightly the rattling was to use a rubber doorstop (the one you put on the floor in a house to prevent the door from swinging into the wall) behind the top of the back seat, not exactly a genuine LR spare part. It helps but does not solve the problem since, when a person is seated, it supports the whole weight on one point only on the top of each seat instead of the hinges.

Would SO have a solution to fix the problem?

By lynden on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 07:47 am: Edit

I had a rattle and just had to tighten up the latch on the seat. I'm sure that's been checked by you or a tech. so probably useless info. for you.
Lynden

By Rob on Monday, October 08, 2001 - 08:28 am: Edit

To diagnose the problem go back to your seats and stuff as much cardboard or paper under the back two metal feet of each seat. Does this stop the rattle?

By PSD on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 01:00 am: Edit

I tried this before and it is still rattling. Seats are firmly anchored to the floor. The problem is really in the hinges when the seats are in the upright position. When the seats are folded, it does not rattle at all.

By Rob on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 03:02 pm: Edit

Firmly anchored to the floor? The backs of the seats are not anchored they just rest on the floor. Some times the latches need to be adjusted. If you push up on the seat it usually will stop the latches from rattling. Hence the crdboard under the back feet of the seat.

By Mike B. on Wednesday, October 10, 2001 - 08:44 pm: Edit

I know it sounds weird, but follow Rob's advice. The rubber pad under the seat feet compresses over time. Then the seats starts to rattle. If the cardboard trick works, you have your solution.

Thanks,
Mike B.

By Enrique Loveshackle on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 10:02 pm: Edit

There's an LRNA fix for this that involves shimming the hinge. Not a hard fix, and about $4 in parts. Don't have the # with me, but maybe somebody that works at a dealership or has the manuals can hook us up...

Enrique

By goin hoggin on Thursday, October 11, 2001 - 11:35 pm: Edit

Ancient Chinese Secret: two fat chicks in the back seats...and a 12-pack in your belly. Trust me, you'll never go back.

OK, sorry. It's late and I'm takin a break from packin for TRUCKHAVEN (and drinking heavily, as usual). I simply laid a folded-over towel across the width of the Disco right underneath the rear seats, where the feet fit into the little cubbies. No more rattles.

I'll bet the fat chicks would work too, though.