Rear seat removal

[Glennbalsam]

Hi. I can't find this on the forum so perhaps you can help. I have an 8 seater configuration bongo and want to take the rear bench seat out. I took out a drop in bar which didn't help then took the plastic caps off the end of the runners and removed the two pins. It still did not slide out as the plastic foam under the carpet was in the way. Any ideas! Thanks Glenn.

[SPARKYSSS]

HI yes what you have to do is pull the foam out of the way. The first time you slide the runners out you will encounter some plastic stoppers - i just broke them off as they served no purpose. I guess you have taken the seats off the runners?? Have you taken the pins out of both the runners??

[Griffin]

Definitely take the seats off first then use a sharp knife to cut a chunk of foam out that can be replaced later. First time takes a while but from then on it's easy.

[Diplomat]

Hi Glenn.

Do you need to remove the runners as well as the seat? You haven't said how you intend to use the freed up space.

I keep the seat in the house so that it can go back in for weddings and funerals but leave the runners in place. There is still room to use the middle bench pushed back as far as the unused runners will allow. With the backs lowered there is not much wasted space between the headrests and the tailgate.

If I'm carrying passengers and want to talk to them, the bench can be slid forward to where the middle belts are. If I had a mother-in-law the seat could stay where the back belts are.

Frank

[Glennbalsam]

Ok thanks for the notes. I have cut the foam out and taken the plastic caps off the end of the rails. It looks like it should slide out but the seat looks wider than the opening as it gets caught on the sides plus the bearings hit the plastic horizontal plastic protection rail that runs across the back. Does this have to be removed as well?

[Glennbalsam]

Ok thanks for the notes. I have cut the foam out and taken the plastic caps off the end of the rails. It looks like it should slide out but the seat looks wider than the opening as it gets caught on the sides plus the bearings hit the plastic horizontal plastic protection rail that runs across the back. Does this have to be removed as well?

[SPARKYSSS]

The small black end caps have to be removed - they are held in place by 2 screws each. You need to take the seats off the runners first - they are wider than the opening!!!

[Griffin]

This really will be easier 2nd time round

From memory but should help :

a) Remove the grey plastic covers from each 'foot' of the seats, under each you will see a big bolt.
b) Remove each bolt which allows the seat to be lifted off and out of the Bongo. You will have to tilt or turn it to get through the tailgate - it's quite heavy, 2 people is much easier but it is possible with 1 (having had to do it several times !)
c) You are now left with the black runners in each rail. Move them by shoving a screwdriver or similar into the top latch (where the seats had previously been) - you should be able to slide the runner up and down the rail now.
d) Unscrew the black caps at the end of the rail and remove, likewise the grey floor panel that holds the carpet down.
e) Lift carpet and remove the locking pins that stop the rails from sliding out - this is fiddly you may need to cut some foam away and use a hammer.
f) The sliders should now slide off the rails but are probably blocked by the carpet/foam - cut a chunk off so that they can move freely. Be careful there are white plastic spacers on the rails that you need and if they are damaged they may fall off - don't lose them.

As has been said, you could just leave the sliders in ready for next time although it slightly hinders usefulness of the space. If you are ok with this, then it's just 4 bolts and done.

Hope that helps, Good luck.