Questions regarding swapping seats

[TreverStevens]

I'm knocking out a seat swap this evening (weekend). Going from the factory SE seats to Sahara, front and rears. The "new" seats didn't come with any mounts or anything. So I've currently unbolted everything from the floor and pulled it all out so I can flip it all upside down to make life easier. I had issues with my old seats adjusting (fore and aft adjustment) as well as the fold/tumble. Now that I have it all out what do I need to lube, adjust, or clear out to make the framing for them to work properly? I'll attach pictures here in a moment so I can have better landmarks or reference point on what needs attention.

 

[glwood]

Same year seats?

 

[TreverStevens]

Same year seats?

Ah yes, I forgot to mention that. I have a '97, seats came from an '01 or '02 if I remember correctly? Both sets of seats have the tapered shoulders, neither have the more squared shoulders that I think came in the later model TJ's. I haven't bolted the frames back on but test fit and all the holes lined up. My frames are just kind of crummy and looking to address those before reassembling.

 

[glwood]

I'd just clean everything up, and use lithium grease on anything that slides or pivots. Went through the same process on an '03 X. Put in 'new' '04 seats. Those small plastic, I think, maybe nylon, wheels on the slider track can be replaced.

 

[TreverStevens]

First 3 pictures are the driver's frame...

And passenger's side (having trouble getting the frame off the seat)...

As you can probably see the PO put foam in the slider as a stop or something? The passenger's seat likes to fold/tumble when you hit the breaks with any sort of urgency. Occasionally I could get it to lock in when upright, but then being the curious fool I am, I'd fold it again to see what was engaging/disengaging vs before when it flopped around like a white girl on a girl's weekend in Nashville with a bad Uber driver...

 

[TreverStevens]

I'd just clean everything up, and use lithium grease on anything that slides or pivots. Went through the same process on an '03 X. Put in 'new' '04 seats. Those small plastic, I think, maybe nylon, wheels on the slider track can be replaced.

Would you (or anyone else) recommend white lithium grease or graphite dry lube? I'm thinking the graphite right now because it would be less likely to attract dirt and such over time compared to a wet lube that doesn't attract that stuff as much?

 

[glwood]

From a Car Gurus site:

Once all objects and obstructions have been removed and seat rails cleaned they can then be lubricated with an appropriate product. Out of the factory, a cars seat rails are lubricated using an appropriate silicone grease product, however any spray, light oil or grease lubricating product can be used, just be sure to avoid getting any of the product onto surrounding upholstery and trim. Once you have cleaned and lubricated the rear section of the seat rails you should push the seat back fully and repeat the process for the front section.

I don't know that the graphite wouldn't work just as well, though.

 

[TreverStevens]

I found a water resistant silicon spray at the store so I might just go with that instead. I just thought a dry lube might be less likely to hold onto debris since our vehicles see a little more dust and dirt than most other vehicles.

 

[WDE]

Might as well knock the surface rust off and paint them while they are out.

 

[pagrey]

Factory uses NLGI grade 2 grease (Mopar Multi-Lube EP, GC-LB) which according to this

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NLGI_consistency_number

is basically normal grease with a consistency of peanut butter. I'd use thick grease like the factory does on the slides and not a light spray but that's just my opinion. I use whatever I have on the shelf.

 

[Moab]

I would clean all rails of dust and rust first. Wire brush would work. Sand blast ideally. Looks like you've got plenty on the seat brackets. Maybe hit them with some paint after. And then use white lithium grease. Or anything super thick and pasty. So it will remain on the slides and moving parts. And not travel to the carpet or onto your seats.

I found that if I test fit them in the Jeep for functionality that was best. No need to tighten them down all the way. Just sort of snug. That way you can really get an eye on where pivot points are and slides and other areas that might need addressing. Or to fix your tumble issue when stopping.

I'm still unsure if your using your old brackets or new ones from the new seats.