Reclining Rear Seat Removal 2005 Q45

[navigator336]

I have an annoying rattle that seems to be coming from behind the driver's side rear seat. The car has the electric reclining rear seats. I can't figure out how to remove them to see if something is loose. Any guidance would be appreciated.

[qship96]

download the factory service manual, hopefully it is spelled out in detail there.

[navigator336]

Thanks,

Any sites where you can download the manual for free?

[goody90q45]

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/Q45/2002_Q45/2002_Q45/

[navigator336]

Thanks very much for the link. That's just what I needed.

[Q451990]

Our '05 G had a similar issue that was fixed under warranty. Apparently the screws that hold the bracing behind the seat worked their way loose, and the fix was to reinstall them with loc-tite.

Not sure if it's the same thing, but I thought it was worth mentioning.

Heath

[SteveTheTech]

If it happens every time the weight shifts (speed bump, pot hole, driveway). Try checking the 14mm nuts on the rear shock mount. Over several years they might loosen up. It's a pretty easy fix if that is it.

[navigator336]

Thanks Q451990 and Steve The Tech,

I got the seat out no problem. The seat frame was tight to the body so I don't think that is the problem. I suspect the problem is the strut. I didn't take the seat frame out to get to the internal strut mount though. I had both struts replaced recently and I first noticed the noise when leaving the mechanics shop. He turns the radio off when he works on the car and I always have it on, so it is possible the rattle was there before he replaced the struts and I just didn' notice it . I took the car back to him and he said the strut was tight but thought the rattle might be coming from the auto trunk opener/closer. First let me say this about the mechanic. He is a really good really honest independent guy that works on most vehicles, but probably not too many Infiniti's. I totally trust what he says. I took the car home and a couple of weeks later removed the s panel inside the trunk to get better access to the opener/closer. Yes, it could rattle so I disconnected it from the trunk lid and then greased the heck out of it. The rattle was still there. I then immoblized the opener with foam padding and twine. The rattle is still there. I thought if I could remove the seat and quickly fix the problem this would be a lot easier than going back to my mechanic. Taking out the seat frame to get to the strut mount looked to be more trouble than making an appointment and taking it back. I just can't find anything else that might be causing the rattle.

Thanks again for your suggestions.

[goody90q45]

Aren't the strut mounts normally accessible through the trunk rather than from the back seat?

Did you replace the strut's rubber bushing(s) and rubber bump stop when the struts were replaced?

[SteveTheTech]

Still sounds like a loose rear strut.

Why did you have the struts replaced? That is not really common on the late years.

[navigator336]

The struts on this one are accessed from inside the cabin. I had the rear struts replaced because one of them was leaking and I was told it is wise to replace both if you replace one. These are available only from Infiniti and were priced accordingly. I don't know if the bushings or stops are integral or were replaced separately.

[Q451990]

I would certainly ask if the bushings were replaced.

If you can isolate exactly what causes your noise (e.g. every time I go over this speed bump at 15MPH I hear it) I have found it to be very useful to have someone else drive the car while I'm in the back to pinpoint the noise. A mechanic's stehoscope can be helpful too, but it's probably not necessary in this case.

Heath

[markamacias]

I have an annoying rattle that seems to be coming from behind the driver's side rear seat. The car has the electric reclining rear seats. I can't figure out how to remove them to see if something is loose. Any guidance would be appreciated.

I currently have the same issue. Can you PLEEEEEASE tell me if you fixed it and what was the cause? I am going insane, and since my job consists of driving this car, I am not sure how much longer I can endure.

Let me know: markamacias @ gmail.com