I was wondering where you can obtain the small caps that go on the hockey stick side stainless trim found on the bench seats fromn 68 to 72. Fusick list them for bucket seats up to 65. Are they the same? These caps push on the hinge pivots. See attached pictures. Maybe some one has a couple they can spare that would be in excellent shape for my new seats? They are a bugger to remove though. Thanks.

 

I know which ones you're talking about. I was going to ask if you knew a good (easy) way to remove them till I read further.

 

Brian, I was just checking through my Ames Performance catalogue. They have the rod end caps (only place I've found that has these BTW). They're for earlier model bucket seats but they look like they would fit Cutlass too. Have a look, it's on page 31.



Here's a link to their catalogue

 

Thanks Allan. I may try those. It seems strange they aren't listed in all the resto catalogues, I guess they figure people don't bother to restore bench seat cars.

 

Check your local hardware stores. Lowes has them in different sizes. I do not believe they are stainless,but they clean up nice. Give them a try. I used them on a 65 Cutlass, and standing at the door looking at them I think they look fine. If I remember ,prices are not bad.

 

What are they called at Lowes? These caps aren't stainless, they're chromed to match the hockey stick trim on the bench seat. Something other than that might be very obvious.

 

I am not sure . I thought they were called caps. At my Lowes, there were with the screws,and nuts. These are used to hold small wheels on wagons and small trikes. They came in different sizes to fit the axles. I used a deep well socket that the cap itself would go in the socket,but the rim would hit the rim of the socket to press on.

 

I think I found them at the Parts Place. $3.00 each, cheap enough. It's worth a try at that price.

 

Rocketbrian That is good, but watch out for the shipping price.

 

Part number or name? I might need to buy some this year if things work out right

 

Well Allan, if you start saving now maybe by Christmas you can pick these up. Ha. They are described as "71-72 Cutlass stainless bench seat hinge cap", part number IN12353T. (2 required per seat) - each $3.00. I also ordered the remote control mirror escutheon like yours, part # IN2359Z at $29.00.

 

Thank you sir!

 

Allan, I received the side seat caps today from the Parts Place along with the push on retainers. The caps are great, in fact they are a little nicer than the originals as they about 2mm larger in diameter, covering the hole in the "hockey stick" moulding even a little better. They didn't contain the foam insert the originals have, which I just transferred. They don't look like stainless to me, but rather chrome as the originals. So all is good on this minor detail.

 

Brian,
What I'd like to know is how you got those caps off without doing any damage to the hockey stick side. I tried on a couple cars I found in the boneyard but they were on like they were welded.

 

Ditto on the above - I am about to pull these off and I need to preserve the side pieces as much as possible. Maybe a teeny wheel puller.....?

 

Well, I had it pretty easy, as one cap was already missing and on the other I used vice grips and a hammer to wiggle it until it loosened and was then able to remove it. Of course my seat is out which gives you far more wiggle room and allows for different tools or methods.
I know it does seem like a big hassle to remove a seat just to change out a small cap. If you slip with a chisel or screw driver you obviously run the risk of scratching the mouldings.
I don't know what else to suggest.

 

I think I saw those caps at Home Hardware in the nuts and bolts section.