Front Seat Cushion - Popping or Squeaking Noise

BODY
BO94-005
DECEMBER 23, 1994
LS 400

TITLE: FRONT SEAT CUSHION NOISE ON '95 LS 400

Figure 1:

On some LS 400 vehicles, a metallic popping or squeaking noise may be heard from occupied front seats (driver and passenger) when the seat cushion moves either up or down due to vehicle (or occupant) movement. This noise is produced by friction between the torsion spring and the hook portion of the bracket (see Figure 1).





PRODUCTION EFFECTIVE:

The material of the hook portion of the torsion spring bracket on the front seat cushion panel (base) has been changed:

FIELD-FIX REPAIR:

Use the following procedure to correct this condition:

STEP 1:
Remove the front seat (refer to Repair Manual for details).

NOTE:
The first aid kit must be removed from the left side seat.

STEP 2:
Bind the torsion spring together with the seat cushion panel (base) using a nylon cable tie*.

Figure 2:

a) Bend the tip of the cable tie into a U-shape to ease insertion between the seat cushion panel (base) and pad (see Figure 2).

b) From the underside of the seat cushion, insert the cable tie through the hole in the seat cushion panel and clamp together the torsion spring with the seat cushion panel (base). Close the nylon cable tie with a force of 98-118N (10-12 kgf, 22-26 lb).

NOTE:
Take care to avoid sharp edges of seat cushion panel (base).

c) Cut-off any excess length of the cable tie.

* Cable tie should be nylon reinforced measuring a minimum of 7 mm (0.28 in) in width.

Front Cushion (Back):

STEP 3:
Apply grease to both hooks (brackets) where the torsion spring and the hooks come in contact (see illustration).

* Toyota white grease (Part Number: 00289-1WG00) or equivalent (lithium base).

STEP 4:

a) Reinstall front seat, (refer to Repair Manual for details).

NOTE:
The first aid kit must be installed for the left side seat.

b) Test drive vehicle to verify that noise has been eliminated. If noise persists, go to Step 5.

STEP 5:
Call the Technical Hotline at 1-800-446-4740 for difficult to diagnose noises.