Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Driver/Passenger chair arms stuck (Read 471 times) previous topic - next topic

Driver/Passenger chair arms stuck

I bet no other has had this one!  We got the seats re-foamed and in doing that the leather or whatever it is was cleaned.

Looks fantastic

But now you can barely pull the arms down.  Two hands. Leave them up a day, stuck solid.  So much that might tear the fabric you would think as pull them down.

Ideas?  MOT said to try soap/water and if that not work then a leather cleaner.  Nope, neither was the solution.

It almost seems that the two materials, arms and seat sides, react and bond.

Bet this a unique occurrence but maybe another has encounters, solved.....sure hope so.
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Driver/Passenger chair arms stuck

Reply #1 –
Is the seat material real leather, or "pleather"?
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Driver/Passenger chair arms stuck

Reply #2 –
Quote from: Chuck & Jeannie –
Is the seat material real leather, or "pleather"?
Have you  tried Armor All?
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Driver/Passenger chair arms stuck

Reply #3 –
have not tried armorial, will

Chuck, it is the original, I guess, seats in a 2001 320.  People call it leather, but is it that or something other i don't know.

Keith Davis at MOT said to us a leather cleaner, not conditioner. 
I gather in all conversations there they think leather.

Trina suggested I cover one surface with cloth, just a drop cloth, to stop the bonding.  She says she has seen it before on older coaches, over time.  My hesitation to that is that when I took it in, before seats were done, I had no hint of such a problem.

mike
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches

Re: Driver/Passenger chair arms stuck

Reply #4 –
Maybe try some dry silicone spray?
Nitehawk,  Demolition Lady, & our NEW master, Zippy the speeding BB cat.
1989 Grand Villa 36' ORED
Oshkosh chassis, 8.2 DD V8
2006 Saturn Vue AWD

Re: Driver/Passenger chair arms stuck

Reply #5 –
Mine have done this and you will tear the leather. Its a real pain when you want to put them down while driving. I have my wife or oldest daughter help me with them if under way.
Ian Minaert
1993 U280 Build #4324
Cummins 8.3, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake, Aquahot
Valley Center, KS

Re: Driver/Passenger chair arms stuck

Reply #6 –
Mike,

It may be worthwhile removing the arm rest (easy to do) and see what is hanging up.  Could be a wad of material in the pivot point. Play around with it-- perhaps a nylon fender washer as a pivot point with less friction. 
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Driver/Passenger chair arms stuck

Reply #7 –
Quote from: Michael & Jackie –
I bet no other has had this one!  We got the seats re-foamed and in doing that the leather or whatever it is was cleaned.

Looks fantastic

It almost seems that the two materials, arms and seat sides, react and bond.

Bet this a unique occurrence but maybe another has encounters, solved.....sure hope so.
Professionals that do the cleaning, "detailers," go for the immediate look and use some pretty harsh chemicals to achieve that "like new" look.  Armour All is a good suggestion.  I can tell you from experience that you do not want to Armor All your leather bench seat.  Even the seat belts won't keep you in place in a turn.  Maybe spot treating the area that stick with silicone oil?
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Driver/Passenger chair arms stuck

Reply #8 –
Mike;  to remove the arm rests, rotate the arm back past the vertical of the seat and with a little patience and pulling, it will come off the seat.  The arm rest have a solid rod with a short welded 90 degree rod that fits into this socket that is on the seat itself.  Once removed, use Krud Kutter on both the side of the seat and the arm.  Once done, clean again with warm soapy water to remove any residue.  You have Ultra Leather by Villa.  You can verify this by looking in the pocket that is behind your seats.  There is a tag there and what happens is the leather gets dirty and starts to stick.  This should do the trick, as we have had the same issues with ours and now much better!  Hope this helps!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus