Interior - Difficult To Lock Rear Seat Backrest Upright
NUMBER: 12-150-13DATE: 04/11/13
APPLICABILITY:
2014MY Forester
SUBJECT:
Rear Seat Backrest Hinge Bracket Adjustment
INTRODUCTION
This Bulletin provides a procedure for adjustment of the rear seat backrest side hinge assembly to help reduce the effort needed to lock the backrest in the upright position.
SERVICE PROCEDURE / INFORMATION
^ Remove the rear seat cushion assembly and the affected side of the rear seat backrest assembly following the procedures outlined in the applicable Service Manual.
^ Loosen the nut and bolts (9 total) securing the side hinge bracket assembly.
^ Remove only the 2 bolts which hold the side hinge bracket to the body of the vehicle shown in the photo.
^ With the 2 bolts removed, reposition the side hinge bracket so the bolt holes in the body of the vehicle are centered in the hinge bracket's larger mounting holes as shown in the illustration.
^ Once the side hinge bracket is in the proper position, reinstall the 2 retaining bolts then torque to 33 Nm (24.3 ft.lbs) in the order shown in the photo.
^ Next, re-torque bolts �3� and �4� to 33 Nm (24.3 ft.lbs) in the proper order as shown in the photo above.
^ Re-torque the remaining nut and bolts (circled) to specification (order is not important).
^ Bolts: 33 Nm (24.3 ft.lbs.)
^ Nut: 24.5 Nm (18.1 ft.lbs.)
^ Reinstall the backrest and seat cushion assembly in the reverse order of removal.
^ Confirm the backrest latches smoothly and securely to complete the procedure.
WARRANTY / CLAIM INFORMATION
For vehicles within the Basic New Car Limited Warranty period, this repair may be claimed using the information shown.