GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 2001 🢒 Cavalier 🢒 Body and Accessories 🢒 Seats 🢒 Seat Recliner Replacement
  1. On coupe model vehicles, pull forward on the upper seat back in order to verify that the seat back mechanism is in the locked position.

    2. The seat back does not fold forward when the seat back is locked properly.

  2. Apply force rearward on the seat recliner assembly lever in order to adjust the seat back into the full reclined position.

    3. Inspect for ease of lever operation and seat back movement.

  3. Release the recliner lever.

    4. The seat back should remain fully reclined.

  4. Operate the recliner lever in order to position the seat back forward to an intermediate reclined position.
  5. Release the recliner lever.
  6. Manually force the upper seat back rearward in order to test for positive recliner locking action.
  7. Operate the recliner mechanism lever in order to adjust the seat back to the seat back's normal position.

    8. Inspect the ease of lever operation and seat back full return.

  8. Release the recliner lever.
  9. Manually force the upper seat back rearward in order to test for positive recliner locking action.

    10. The recliner release lever should return to the lever's normal position without any assistance from the operator. However, with the seat back in the full upright position, the lever will not go back to normal position unless rearward force is applied to the seat back.