Squeak Noise from Driver or Passenger Front Seat Back

Some customers may comment about a squeak noise coming from the driver or passenger front seat back when pressure is applied.

This condition may be caused by the metal to metal contact of the front seat back cushion pad support wire rubbing against the seat back frame cross wire.

To correct this condition refer to the service procedure in this bulletin and install new seat back cushion pad support wire which has a plastic coating around the wire.

Driver Seat Removal

1. Remove front seat from vehicle. Refer to Front Seat removal procedure in the Seats section of the 2002-2003 Body Removal and Installation Service Manual.



2. Using angle pliers, remove recliner handle cover.
3. Using angle pliers, remove seat riser handle cover.



4. Remove the outer valence panel fasteners, and remove outer valance panel from seat.



5. Using small flat bladed tool, remove armrest fastener cover.
6. Remove armrest fastener and remove armrest.
7. On heated seats, disconnect harness from the seat heater module.



8. Remove headrest. Refer to Headrest removal procedure in the Seats section of the 2002-2003 Body Removal and Installation Service Manual.



9. Release seat back cover by disengaging bottom J-strip.
10. Carefully pull seat back cover upward and disengage hook and loop retainers.



11. With seat cover lifted to the top of seat foam, reach in and compress headrest sleeve tabs while pulling up to remove sleeve.
12. Remove seat back trim cover/pad from the seat back frame.



13. Use screwdriver to unhook lower edge of seat back frame cushion support wire from lower cross wire.
14. Move seat back frame cushion support wire up to unhook it from upper cross wire.

1. Install new seat back cushion pad support wire by hooking top portion of support wire over upper cross wire and then pulling down.
2. Hook bottom portion of support wire assembly over lower cross wire (screwdriver may be needed).
3. Position seat back trim cover/pad on seat frame.
4. Install the seat back trim cover over the top of the seat back.
5. Install headrest sleeves by pressing into position until locking tabs engage on seat frame.



6. Continue installing seat back trim cover by pressing over hook and loop locations to ensure engagement.
7. Secure J-strip.
8. Install headrest. Refer to Headrest installation procedure in the Seats section of the 2002-2003 Body Removal and Installation Service Manual.
9. On heated seats, connect seat heater module harness.



10. Install armrest with fastener, then install cover.

Tighten
Tighten the armrest fastener to 30 N·m (22 lb ft).




11. Install the outer valence panel with fasteners. Torque:

Tighten
Tighten the outer valence panel fasteners to 2.5 N·m (22 lb in).




12. Install recliner handle cover.



13. Install seat riser handle cover.
14. Install front seat to vehicle. Refer to Front Seat installation procedure in the Seats section of the 2002-2003 Body Removal and Installation Service Manual.

1. Remove front seat from vehicle. Refer to "Front Seat" removal procedure in the Seats section of the 2002-2003 Body Removal and Installation Service Manual.



2. Remove outer recliner cover fasteners and remove cover.



3. Remove inside recliner cover fasteners and remove recliner cover.



4. Remove headrest. Refer to Headrest removal procedure in the Seats section of the 2002-2003 Body Removal and Installation Service Manual.
5. On heated seats, disconnect heated seat wire harness from seat heater module.
6. Remove seat back to recliner fasteners and remove seat back from between the recliners.



7. Remove seat back panel fasteners and remove seat back panel.



8. Using a small flat bladed tool, remove armrest fastener cover.
9. Remove armrest fastener and remove armrest.



10. Release seat back cover by disengaging bottom J-strip.
11. Carefully pull seat back cover upward and disengage hook and loop retainers.



12. With seat cover lifted to the top of seat foam, reach in and compress headrest sleeve tabs while pulling up to remove sleeve.
13. Remove seat back trim cover/pad from the seat back frame.



14. Use screwdriver to unhook lower edge of seat back frame cushion support wire from lower cross wire.
15. Move seat back frame cushion support wire up to unhook it from upper cross wire.

1. Install new seat back cushion pad support wire by hooking top portion of support wire over upper cross wire and then pulling down.
2. Hook bottom portion of support wire assembly over lower cross wire (screwdriver may be needed).
3. Position seat back trim cover/pad on seat frame.
4. Install the seat back trim cover over the top of the seat back.



5. Install headrest sleeves by pressing into position until locking tabs engage on seat frame.
6. Continue installing seat back trim cover by pressing over hook and loop locations to ensure engagement.



7. Secure J-strip.



8. Install seat back panel to seat back.
9. Install seat back panel cover retainers. Torque:

Tighten
Tighten the seat back panel retainers to 2 N·m (18 lb in).




10. Install armrest with fastener, then install cover.

Tighten
Tighten the armrest fastener 30 N·m (22 lb ft).

11. Position seat back between the recliners and install seat back to recliner fasteners.

Tighten
Tighten the recliner-to-seat adjuster fasteners to 45 N·m (33 lb ft).




12. Install inner recliner cover assembly with fasteners.

Tighten
Tighten the inner recliner cover assembly fasteners 2.5 N·m (22 lb in).




13. Install outer recliner cover with fasteners.

Tighten
Tighten the outer recliner cover fasteners 2.5 N·m (22 lb in).




14. Align headrest support rods into holes and push in headrest.
15. Install front seat to vehicle. Refer to Front Seat installation procedure in the Seats section of the 2002-2003 Body Removal and Installation Service Manual.

To receive credit for this repair during the warranty coverage period, submit a claim through the Saturn Dealer System for C7050 (Cover and/or Pad, Front Seat Back Cushion, Bucket Seat, Passenger - R or Replace) and/or C7051 (Cover and/or Pad, Front Seat Back Cushion, Bucket Seat, Driver - R or Replace). An "add time" condition is provided to replace the cushion pad support wire.