Front Seat Back Squeaks (Lubricate Seat Back Frame Z-Wire)

Some customers may comment on a squeak noise from the front seat back.

This condition may be caused by metal to metal contact of the "Z-Wire" of the self-aligning headrest and the U-bracket of the seat back frame.

Lubricate the "Z-Wire" pivot point with GM Special Lubricant, P/N 12345879 (in Canada P/N 10953511). Use the following procedure to access the pivot point and apply the lubricant:

1. Disable the SIR system. Refer to Disabling the SIR System in the SIR sub-section of Restraints in the Service Manual.
2. Move the seat to the full forward and full upright position. Move the rear of the lower cushion to the full down position.



3. Remove the two screws at the lower corners of the seat back panel. Pull up the fabric on either side of the seat back panel to gain access to the screws. Refer to the illustration above for the location. Please note that not all vehicles will have these screws.



4. Unzip the front seat back trim cover. Refer to the illustration above. Please note that this zipper is on 2000 and 2001 model year vehicles only.
5. Unclip the J-channel across the bottom of the seat back fabric.
6. Unclip the J-channel on the sides of the seat back panel and the fabric on both sides of the seat back panel. These pieces of J-channel attach the seat back and the seat back fabric to the seat back frame.
7. If the vehicle is equipped with heated seats, disconnect the seat heater electrical connector underneath the seat.
8. While working from the front of the seat, pull the seat fabric, seat heater harness and J-channel from underneath the seat.



9. Reach under the seat fabric and carefully release the hook and loop strips on the front of the seat back foam. Refer to the illustration above for the location of the strips.
10. Pull the fabric on the front and back of the seat up as far as possible to expose the seat back foam.
11. Pull the seat back foam up to expose the seat back frame.



12. Locate the "Z-Wire" pivot point where it goes through the U-bracket on the seat back frame. Refer to the illustration above.



13. Lubricate the pivot points using GM Special Lubricant, P/N 12345879 (in Canada use P/N 10953511). Apply the lubricant using a small brush or a cotton swab type applicator. Refer to the illustration above for locations.
14. Move the self-aligning headrest mechanism back and forth to work in the lubricant .
15. Reposition the front seat back foam over the seat back frame.
16. Reposition the seat fabric over both sides of the seat back. Align the hook and loop strips between the seat fabric and seat back foam and reattach them.
17. Push the J-channel and seat heater harness (if equipped) back under the seat.
18. Fasten the J-channel on the seat back panel to the seat back frame.
19. Fasten the J-channel on the seat fabric to both sides of the seat back frame.



20. Close the zipper on the seat back fabric (if equipped). Please note that this zipper is on 2000 and 2001 model year vehicles only.
21. Fasten the J-channel on the fabric across the bottom of the seat.
22. Reconnect the seat heater connector (if equipped).



23. Install the two screws at the lower corners of the seat back panel (if equipped).
24. Move the seat back to its original positions.
25. Enable the SIR system. Refer to Enabling the SIR system in the SIR sub-section of Restraints in the Service Manual.

Parts are currently available from GMSPO.

For vehicles repaired under warranty, use: