Interior - Front Seat Back Squeaking/Rubbing Noises
05-075December 21, 2005
Applies To:
2003-05 Element - ALL
Front Seat-Back Makes a Squeaking, Chafing, or Rubbing Noise
SYMPTOM
You hear a squeaking, chafing, or rubbing noise when you push on the middle of the seat-back or on the side bolsters.
PROBABLE CAUSE
There are three possible causes for the noise:
^ The seat-back foam rubs against the front edge of the side of the seat frame.
^ The two top seat cover springs rub against the seat frame.
^ On vehicles with side airbags, there may be interference between the zig-zag spring and an improperly routed side airbag cover mounting hook.
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Apply wool felt to the front edge of both sides of the seat frame and around both ends of the seat frame rod and, on models equipped with side airbags, reposition the side airbag cover mounting hook.
REQUIRED MATERIALS
Wool Felt: P/N 06993-SA5-000, H/C 2086676 (One roll will repair approximately eight vehicles.)
WARRANTY CLAIM INFORMATION
In warranty: The normal warranty applies.
Failed Part: P/N 81526-S9A-J01
H/C 6904593
Defect Code: 07407
Symptom Code: 04205
Skill Level: Repair Technician
Out of warranty:
Any repair performed after warranty expiration may be eligible for goodwill consideration by the District Parts and Service Manager or your Zone Office. You must request consideration, and get a decision, before starting work.
DIAGNOSIS
Push in on the upper middle of the front seat, then push in on both upper side bolsters. Do this for both front seats.
If you hear any noise, go to REPAIR PROCEDURE to repair the noisy seat.
REPAIR PROCEDURE
NOTE:
^ SRS components are located in this area. Review the SRS component locations and the precautions and procedures before you do this service bulletin.
^ On models with side airbags, you must disconnect the battery (as noted in step 2). However, on models without side airbags, you do not need to disconnect the battery.
1. With side airbags: Write down the customer's audio presets, and make sure you have the anti-theft code for the radio.
2. With side airbags: Disconnect and isolate the negative cable from the battery, and wait for 3 minutes before beginning work.
3. Cut four strips of wool felt:
^ Two 40 x 120 mm strips
^ Two 10 x 30 mm strips
4. Remove the driver's seat armrest (if applicable):
^ For 2003 models: Refer to page 20-90 of the 2003-06 Element Service Manual;
^ For 2004-05 models: Refer to page 20-91 of the 2003-06 Element Service Manual, or
^ Online, enter keyword FRONT ARMREST, and select Front Seat Armrest Replacement - Driver's Seat from the list.
5. Remove the front seat-back cover far enough to access the cover's top mounting springs, but do not remove the side airbag:
^ Refer to page 20-92 of the service manual, or
^ Online, enter keyword SEAT COVER REP, and select Front Seat Cover Replacement from the list.
NOTE:
On DX and LX models, you must entirely remove the seat-back cover and all of the mounting springs. On EX models, you can unzip the back cover, disconnect the upper two springs, and pull it forward.
6. Pull back the seat-back foam, and apply the 40 x 120 mm wool felt strips to the front edge of both sides of the seat frame.
7. Apply the 10 x 30 mm wool felt strips around both ends of the seat frame rod (where the upper seat-back cover springs connect).
8. With side airbags: Make sure the black upper hook for the side airbag cover routes below the zig-zag spring. If it is above the spring, disassemble the airbag cover hooks, and reconnect the hooks with the black hook routing below the zig-zag spring.
9. Reinstall the seat-back cover. To prevent wrinkles, make sure you stretch the material evenly over the foam before securing the inside springs, hooks, and clips.
10. Reinstall the armrest (if applicable). If the vehicle does not have side airbags, you're finished. If the vehicle is equipped with side airbags, go to step 11.
11. With side airbags: Reconnect the negative cable to the battery.
12. With side airbags: If you repaired the front passenger's seat, initialize the occupant position detection system (OPDS) unit:
^ Refer to page 23-24 of the service manual, or
^ Refer to service bulletin 02-052 Initializing the OPDS Unit.
13. With side airbags: Enter the radio anti-theft code, then enter the customer's presets. Set the clock.
14. With side airbags: Reset the power window control unit:
^ Turn the ignition switch to ON (II), and make sure the driver's window AUTO function does not work.
^ Start the engine.
^ Push down the driver's window power window switch to the second detent (AUTO down) to lower the driver's window all the way down. When the window reaches the bottom, hold the switch in the AUTO down position for 2 more seconds.
^ Pull up the driver's power window switch to raise the driver's window all the way up without stopping. When the window reaches the top, hold the switch in the up position for 2 more seconds.
^ If the driver's window AUTO function does not work, repeat this power window control unit reset procedure.
^ Keep the engine running.
15. With side airbags: Do the idle learn procedure:
^ Make sure all electrical items (A/C, audio unit, defogger, lights, etc.) are off.
^ Let the engine warm up to its normal operating temperature (the cooling fans cycle twice).
^ Let the engine idle (throttle closed and all electrical items off) for 10 minutes.
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