for years i've had the backs of the middle fold down seats in my 3rd gen 4runner rattle when going over bumps. sometimes i unlock the back and then slam it in a little better, works about a quarter of the time. now, they rattle like crazy all the time, especially the passenger side. is there any way to adjust the little claws that lock the seat backs so they don't rattle all the time? or possibly adjust something else to keep them from making such a racket? no hurry on a response, it's -30* and there's no way in H-E-double hockey sticks i'm going out there!

 

So Pattycakes, is the offending item the latch in the seats or the hook attached to the fender interior? Not totally understanding the issue. Once I understand just what is making the rattle noises I can look at my FSM and make some recommendations. Its not that cold here so I can at least look for you!

 

If the seat latch is catching..you might just use a couple of wraps of duct tape on the striker to tighten up the fit...Or maybe a hammer and hit the striker to move it slightly to make a firmer fit...I am not sure,but some of Toyota's latches have a plastic piece in the latch to tighten the fit....Not sure if they are on the rear seat latches?

 

ritzy, i'm actually not sure which part is causing the trouble. i just hear the noise and look back and it seems the back of the seat is moving just enough to cause the noise. i was assuming the latch just wasn't grabbing and holding on good enough and the noise was the two pieces banging from the slack when i hit a bump. i was thinking there might be some way to adjust the claw part of the latch so it would grab better. i've had the attachment pieces on and off last summer and there doesn't seem to be any adjustment there, just one place to bolt them in and that's that. see if the FSM says anything about what i described, if i described it clearly.

97ltd - another good piece of information you've given me. i guess i'll give that a try in the mean time until i can get out and do some checking further when it warms up.

thanks guys, let me know what you find out Ritzy and i'll post up with the results of what i try.