Expert: Dick Benjamin - 11/3/2008

Question
Hello Dick,
How are you? I just purchased a 64 4dr slant six dodge dart 270. It was outside and has some mold and mildew inside. I need to know how to remove the entire rear bench seat to properly clean it. Thank you, Peter

Answer
Hello Peter, thanks for asking - I'm doing OK for an old geezer, I guess.  If you're wondering where I was for 3 months, I'm being treated for the old man's disease (prostate cancer), and the treatment really sapped my energy, so I signed off of this service for 3 months to reduce my time in front of the computer.  I'm feeling a bit better now.

You have one of the all time best cars.  I bought one almost new for my baby sister to drive, and we still talk about that car. I don't think it is possible to wear one out!

To remove the rear seat, sit on the seat and brace your feet against the floor under the front seat, grab the front top edge of the rear seat besides your knees, and push down with your weight while you push back strongly with your legs, so as to slide the rear seat cushion back toward the trunk,  When you get it to move back about an inch or more, lift up on the front edge of the cushion with your hands and the seat front should come up a short distance. This releases the hooks that hold the bottom cushion in place, you should now be able to lift it up and slide it out through the door.

To remove the rear seat backrest, you have to find the two or more bent over tangs or hooks that hold the lower edge down to the floorboards - these are out toward the outer ends of the backrest, down in the dark cruddy area that all cars accumulate under the seat.  If the car has a center armrest (I don't remember on the 270 series if it does), you'll have to find the 4 bolts that hold the armrest mechanism to the body behind the armrest - you may have to poke around behind the armrest with it folded out - look behind the  upholstered back cloth to find the bolts.

If it has no armrest, or after you have removed it, just press back toward the trunk on the top edge of the seat, while you lift up on the lower edge so as to slide the backrest upwards toward the rear window. This will release the hooks at the top of the backrest - now it will come out of the car.

Dick