Canada - Interior - Front Seat Back Squeaking Noises

Bulletin
1228

Issue Date
2003-07-07

Reference
BC-03-009

Model
4Runner

Year Range
2003

Market
Canada

Component
BC

Subject:
FRONT SEATBACK UPPER SQUEAK

Some customers may experience a squeak/creak noise from the front seats. The following procedures have been developed to reduce this noise.

APPLICABLE VEHICLES: 2003 model year 4Runner vehicles.

PRODUCTION CHANGE INFORMATION:

PARTS INFORMATION:

REPAIR PROCEDURE:

Leather Seat

1. Remove the four seat track covers and four seat track mounting bolts.
2. Remove the headrest assembly.
3. Tilt the seat forward.
4. Disconnect the two seatback board cover rubber bands from the hooks.

5. Lift up the seatback board cover, and remove the two front seatback board installation screws.
6. Temporarily reinstall the four seat track mounting bolts.

7. Remove the seatback board.
a) While pressing the board to the vehicle front side (push in on the seatback board), pull the seat backboard toward the seat center in order to disconnect the two claws (A) on each of the side surfaces of the board.
b) While pressing the board toward the vehicle front side, pull it downward and disconnect the two claws (B) at the top of the board.

8. Attach felt between the seatback pad and the projecting wires.

Felt size:
Length: 40 mm
Width: 40 mm
Thickness: 2 mm

NOTE:
While pressing the seatback pad to the vehicle front side by hand and securing a space between the seatback pad and the projecting wires, securely attach a piece of felt on each side of the pad as shown in the illustration.

9. Re install the seat backboard in reverse order of 7A and 7B.

NOTE:
- There should be no wrinkles or gaps on the fitting surfaces.
- Be sure that the four claws are securely engaged.

10. Remove the four seat track mounting bolts.

11. Turn up the front seat backboard cover, then install the two front seat backboard installation screws.
12. Lift up the seatback side of the seat.

13. Connect the two seat backboard cover rubber bands to the hooks.
14. Install the four seat track mounting bolts.

Torque: 37 N-m (375 kgf-cm, 27 ft-lbf)

15. Install the four seat track covers.
16. Install the headrest assembly.

Fabric Seat

6. Lift up the seat backboard cover, and pull the end of the seat fastener which is inserted between seat cover end and seat frame.

Unzip the seat fastener.

NOTE:
Early production vehicles may have two hog rings that secure the end of the seat fastener to the seat frame. In this case, remove these two hog rings.

7. Attach felt between the seatback pad and the projecting wires.

Felt size:
Length: 40 mm
Width: 40 mm
Thickness: 2 mm

NOTE:
While pressing the seatback pad to the vehicle front side by hand and securing a space between the seatback pad and the projecting wires, securely attach a piece of felt on each side of the pad as shown in the illustration.

8. Zip the seat fastener, and insert the end of the seat fastener into the original position (space between seat cover end and seat frame).

NOTE:
- In case hog rings have been removed in step 8, attach the end of the seat fastener to the seat frame with new hog rings (hog rings are a non reusable part).
- Be sure to use coated hog rings (P/N 90468 16019) to prevent any abnormal noise).

9. Remove the four seat track mounting bolts.
10. Lift up the seatback side of the seat.

11. Connect the two seat backboard cover rubber bands to the hooks.
12. Install the four seat track mounting bolts.

Torque: 37 N-m (375 kgf-cm, 27 ft-lbf)

13. Install the four seat track covers.
14. Install the headrest assembly.

REPAIR TIME:

NOTE:
Issue of this Technical Service Bulletin is to ensure that proper repair information is available. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN AUTHORIZATION FOR REPAIR. Normal provisions of the formal warranty policy, as applicable, will apply.