Back seat removal on amid 60's E model

[nels]

Does anybody know how to pull the rear seat back out of a mid 60's E model? I need to remove it to get the plastic side panel back in.

[Bob_Belville]

I had mine ('66E) in and out several times last years redoing the interior. Then the avionics shop removed it again for new panel.

 

You should have no problem with the bottom seat, it lifts up from the back and the front is held down by clips behind the screwed on panel behind the back seat passenger's heels.

 

The back rest is held by 4 bolts on the ends. The 2 upper ones will be simple enough, the bottom ones are a little mean to get out, take note of washers and spacers and that the outside ends of the seatbelts are on the same bolt. If you can get at the snap on clip it might help to remove belts first. You'll need sockets and wrenches. I suppose 7/16" or 3/8", I don't remember, there's nothing metric on our old Mooneys.

 

After you've removed the bolts it's a matter of maneuvering the seat out without the allowing the upper clips to scratch the side panels. It's a tight fit.

[47U]

Here's the frustrating area Bob is referring to...

 

[mooney389]

If you can slide your side panel in by pulling back on the seat, maybe two people, it would be much easier than taking the back rest out.

[scottfromiowa]

  On 7/29/2013 at 10:53 PM, mooney389 said:

If you can slide your side panel in by pulling back on the seat, maybe two people, it would be much easier than taking the back rest out.

+1.  This is what I did.  Worth the effort!  Good luck on your project

[nels]

  On 7/29/2013 at 11:02 PM, scottfromiowa said:

+1.  This is what I did.  Worth the effort!  Good luck on your project

I'll be at the airport tomorrow or maybe the next day and I will take another look at it possibly pulling the side of the cushion back but I have a feeling the seat back will need to come out. I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for the input so far.