Repairing Seat Back Play

Nice, like your write up and photos. What a relief huh, I went crazy with mine before I spent a weekend doing this same task.

I ended up having to order new screws from Ricambi as I found that there were pieces missing, some of the Allen's had been over tightened and the some of the heads were damaged from improper tightening. My guess, half hearted attempts to tighten the screws with the seat in, yikes.

If you are reading this, I would recommend using locktite in the screws.

 

I think that small metal bracket goes behind one of the front seat retaining bolts.

Please check it....part 62844500

I may be wrong.

 

Great write up. Your car is so nice, I hope you don't sell it.

 

Yes. And there is one for each rail.

 

Terrific write-up. Wish I had the time, skill and patience to tackle this job myself but alas its in the hands of my machanic.

 

The was an amazing post. I have what I think is the same issue, when I get in the back vertical portion of the seat rocks. I bought it this way with 9700 miles and I think it's due to me getting in and meaning against the seat to lower myself in. Not sure I am as patient as you but after spending 1000 bucks at Ferrari, 720 part to replace the door handle mechanism that broke, I'm down with giving it a shot!

 

Excellent write up indeed! The plethora of pictures is extremely helpful.

The cut down allen wrench is brilliant! My seats are wobbling again since their last tightening in 2010. This manufactured tool will save a ton of time, and prevent the irritation/frustration I remember dealing with the last time around.

Thanks for posting!

 

I posted my first year experience with my 355 and found a number of messages relating to my experience with correcting the seat rocking issue. As such, I thought I would refresh this post as the process is documented in a very thorough fashion.

Ricambi Diagram:
Ferrari F355 M5.2 (1996+) Parts : Table 130 - SEATS AND SAFETY BELTS -VALID FOR SPIDER-

My issue was with the screws holding the seat firm, #67 in the diagram above. I ordered new parts from Ricambi, but you may be able to find a more cost efficient solution from your local Ace Hardware Store (or equivalent). While in there, I simply ordered new screws for all placement (#67, 6 per seat; #70 #73, 1 per seat). The culprit was #67, two had been screwed in too tight, stripped and were loose as a result. When putting them back together, I used loctite to seal them (#67) with the hope that they stayed put this time around - so far it's been a year with firm seats (no rocking).

The overview provided under the Fchat resource was thorough, but I took it a step further as I wanted every one of those screws (#67) tight – there are 3 on the “outside” of part #66 AND 3 on the inside. The 3 on the outside are easy enough to secure as is 1 or 2 on the “inside”, however there is one that is an absolute beast on the inside of #66. For this, I took it a step further than the Fchat article, actually removing the staples from the “flap” of leather towards the bottom of the seat (photo 16 I think) and pulling the foam aside to get to all 6 screws. I did not have the part referenced in the diagram, but instead took a dremmel to an old allen wrench and shortened the "arm" of the piece to fit the one screw on the "inside" of part #66 that is simply a bear to get to.

It’s important to remember to loctite the screws as you replace them to prevent the rocking in the future. My advise, put the seat on a workbench to access the area easily, do not be in a hurry, slowly and carefully remove the leather and move aside the foam and make sure you get all 6 screws tightened. And be careful when removing the seat, it is heavy!

 

Decided to resurrect this thread. Once again, my seat is rocking.
Sitting in a Dentist chair waiting on an implant, I see him take out a neat tool:
Dental Universal Implant Instrument Prosthetic Restoration Hand Driver Tool Kit (Ebay listing)

Any DDS on the site ever try this? 20mm head part looks small enough presuming one can find the right size hex head for our seats.
Obviously, we dont need the torque wrench functionality. I was looking for a used one to try.