Whack the seat a good one (downward) and then hold it down while pulling on
the (lack of a) knob.

Karl Wolz

----- Original Message -----
From: "Edward Maglott" <emaglott@BUNCOMBE.MAIN.NC.US>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2001 7:09 PM
Subject: weekender bench seat release

> Working on an '86 weekender I bought recently.  The bench seat will not
> open!  I had it open when I was looking at it w/ the PO, but now, it won't
> pull up from the base.  The knob is broken from the release pull, but I
have
> grabbed it with vise grips (sorry threads) and tried pulling hard,
jerking,
> pushing then pulling, etc.  Nothing!  When I pull, it comes toward me like
> something is flexing, not like any action is happening in the mecahnism.
I
> try also bracing on either side of the pull with my feet, and then there
is
> less flexing, but still no release.  Teh seat is down tight on the base,
no
> play at all up and down.  There is a bunch of junk in there, so maybe
> something is jamming the mechanism?  Any body been where I am?  Know of a
> way to get in there when the release won't work?
>
> Thanks,
> Edward