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Reassembling a Recliner Back
Credits to: John Lauer
I got my recliner mechanisms back from the plater
yesterday, and I have a few tips on reassembly. Page 238 of
the Registry Restoration & Repair Guide describes how to
build a tool to install that strong spring. Regardless of what
you use for a tool, start by screwing the mechanism down to some
sort of wood work bench. I used two wood screws with large washers
through the holes that attach the recliner to the seat back.
Then I drilled a hole in the work bench where the hinge point
attaches to the seat bottom cushion. I did this with a cardboard
cushion between the chrome and the work bench to aviod scratching.
Now you have the whole thing held securely so you can concentrate
on the powerful spring which has the potential to make you bleed.
As to the tool, if you make one
be sure to use some very hard metal for the pegs described in
the manual. I wound up using a blade screw driver in the spring
windings, and an appropriate size allen wrench in the little
curl of the spring. Both of these inserted through holes drilled
for them in a bar about 18 inches long. You will still have
a few failures before you get the nack of it.
The next tip is on the lovely
stainless screws (from Stoddard) for attaching the recliner to
the finished seat. With new chrome they look pretty dull. I
used a buffer wheel with Dico SCR. It is made to polish Stainless
steel, and the result is the screw head almost looks like chrome.
Technical advice given on
these pages is provided free and without warranty. The user of
information presented on these pages assumes all responsibility
and liability in its use. We're not lawyers, we're car folk,
just sharing our experience. Be careful, use your head, have
fun.
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