Seat latch removal

I’ve got a 2001 AC that I’m tinkering with. Did a stereo upgrade and had to go with a floor-mount Stinger subwoofer box. It’a currently riding behind the passenger seat, which doesn’t allow the seat much rearward travel. There’s a foot release on the right of the seat which is intended to give a rear seat passenger an easy way to slide the seat forward. It protrudes from the passenger seat frame, and removing it would give the seat some more rear travel.



That said, I can’t figure out how to access the mechanism it’s connected to. I found two screws holding the trim: One concealed behind the seat back adjuster latch, and a second behind the seat. Removing both of these didn’t seem to free anything up, and when the trim didn’t pop free with reasonable pressure, I decided to stop before I broke something.





So I guess my question is two fold: How does the seat trim come off, and has anyone attempted to remove this lever before? I’m hoping it’s just a bolted-on arm I can remove, but I’m not against cutting it if there’s no other option.

Thanks for any advice.

 

There should be a 3rd screw hidden by the seat back. The shell should then unsnap but may require a plastic putty knife or similar to help unsnap. The plastic tools linked below to Amazon are very helpful when working on any of our plastic trim and can be also picked up at local Auto parts stores.

the drawing below is from 2003 FSM but most of our 1st Gens are the same or close to the same as far as your seat project. The red rectangle are the 2 screws you found and the circled red is the 3rd screw.

The picture is showing where the inner screw is on my 04.

$15 Auto Trim Removal Tool Kit - 5-Piece No Scratch Pry Tool Set for Car Panel and Dashboard Removal - Includes Door Panel Tools, Push Rivets, Car Clips - Essential for Interior Trim Work - Blue

Amazon.com: Tresalto Auto Trim Removal Tool Set (No Scratch Pry Tool Kit) Fastener Removal Tool - Auto Trim Kit Car Tools - Easy Removal of Car Door Panels, Fasteners, Molding, Dashboards, Wheel Hubs (5 Pack) : Automotive

 

That’s a huge help. Thanks a ton, man.