Interior - Front Seat Armrest(s) Angled Downward
Bulletin No.: 04-08-50-004Date: February 26, 2004
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Front Seat Armrest Angled Down When Seat Is In Upright Position (Determine Armrest Angle)
Models:
2003-2004 Saturn VUE Vehicles
Built After VIN Breakpoint 3S849653
Attention:
Fixed Operations Manager and Technician
Condition
Some customers may comment that the front seat (drivers and/or passenger's) armrest is angled down too low and/or is sagging.
Cause
The angle of the drivers or passengers side armrest may be lower than some customers would prefer it to be.
Correction
Retailers may be replacing the armrests before determining whether armrests are at the correct angle, which may result in unnecessary warranty expenses.
Retailers should determine if the armrest angle is correct before attempting to replace the armrest. Refer to service procedure in this bulletin to determine armrest angle.
^ If the armrest angle is correct, do not replace the armrest. The Retailer should explain to the customer that the armrest is not sagging, but was designed at that angle to allow better access to the control panel.
^ If the armrest is angled down and/or is sagging, it should be replaced. Refer to bulletin 03-08-50-007 for parts and service information to replace armrest.
Service Procedure
1. Set the drivers and passengers seat tracks to the same fore/aft position.
2. Set the drivers and passengers seatbacks to the same recline angle position (17.75°) Use an angle gage to set the angle of the seatbacks, starting with the passenger seat. Confirm the accuracy of the set-up by verifying that the headrest posts for the drivers and passengers seats are in line with each other from a side view. If an angle gage is not available, use the following procedure to estimate the angle of the passengers and drivers seatback.
2.1. Open the right rear door.
2.2. Tie a plumb bob (a string with a weight attached to the tree end) to one of the front passengers seat headrest posts.
2.3. Measure the horizontal distance from the plumb bob line to the back face of the front passengers seat, at the base of the indented area on the plastic cover. If the seat is at the correct 17.75° design position, the distance should be about 127 mm - 135 mm (5.00 in -5.25 in).
2.4. Set the drivers seatback to the same angle as the passengers seat. Verify that the headrest posts for the drivers and passengers seats are in line with each other from a side view.
Important:
The passengers armrest is 15 mm (0.59 in) higher than the drivers armrest as a result of the passengers seat fold flat option; however, the angles should be the same (see illustration for design position description).
3. The drivers and passengers armrests (2) should now be parallel with each other and should be horizontal assuming the seatbacks (1) are at design position (17.75° angle).
^ If the armrest angle is correct (horizontal), do not replace the armrest.
^ If the armrest is angled down and/or is sagging below horizontal, replace existing armrest with new armrest. Refer to bulletin 03-08-50-007 for parts and service information to replace armrest.
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