[silversport]

glad to hear the new owner is enthused and excited to keep that CTS going...

I talked unofficially with someone who works in the Insurance biz (adjuster and body shops)...he gave me a link to a place he has access to about finding a new seat base for the Sport Wagon...no luck there after a search (but I knew that would be the finding)...

I asked about getting it welded at a body shop and he related a story about someone who convinced a body shop to weld his broken seat, then got into an accident and of course the seat broke...that person then sued the body shop for the weld...moral of that story is friend said body shops will be leery of making that welded fix over liability concerns...

frustrating for sure...

Bill

 

[NorthernSRX]

glad to hear the new owner is enthused and excited to keep that CTS going...

I talked unofficially with someone who works in the Insurance biz (adjuster and body shops)...he gave me a link to a place he has access to about finding a new seat base for the Sport Wagon...no luck there after a search (but I knew that would be the finding)...

I asked about getting it welded at a body shop and he related a story about someone who convinced a body shop to weld his broken seat, then got into an accident and of course the seat broke...that person then sued the body shop for the weld...moral of that story is friend said body shops will be leery of making that welded fix over liability concerns...

frustrating for sure...

Bill

Yeah, the problem is that welding equipment is not truly cheap (because you need a helmet/mask, gloves, etc. in addition to the welder itself) so if you're thinking a DIY option, you might as well buy a replacement seat assembly (ie the entire seat). There are tons of them on ebay - even places where you can basically buy the interior for around a grand. If your interior is black, you have tons of choices.

As for getting a shop to do the weld, some will do it if you sign a waiver. I did just that in the late 80s when I bought a Mazda on condition that they lower the front seat 2". At first they balked citing liability; I offered to sign a waiver and they did the job and never produced the waiver to sign. It's a lot harder to sue successfully in Canada so ambulance chasers aren't really a thing here and things like this are probably easier to get done.

 

[NorthernSRX]

glad to hear the new owner is enthused and excited to keep that CTS going...

I talked unofficially with someone who works in the Insurance biz (adjuster and body shops)...he gave me a link to a place he has access to about finding a new seat base for the Sport Wagon...no luck there after a search (but I knew that would be the finding)...

I asked about getting it welded at a body shop and he related a story about someone who convinced a body shop to weld his broken seat, then got into an accident and of course the seat broke...that person then sued the body shop for the weld...moral of that story is friend said body shops will be leery of making that welded fix over liability concerns...

frustrating for sure...

Bill

Here's another option if you're handy - get a good, strong L bracket that fits in that space. There may be enough space for that pipe/rod to rotate with two strong T-bolt clamps securing it against the pipe. The other side of the bracket can be secured to the arm with small bolts (like 5/16") tightened and with red loctite. Yeah, it won't be as secure as a weld in a frontal collision but it would be a darned sight better than what's going on now. T-bolt clamps are pretty strong.

 

[silversport]

thanks...I need to wait for a bit better weather before I can take a better look at this seat or remove it...when in the down position that I normally have it the seat seems rock solid but if I lift the seat very much above the "at rest" position it seems to be less secure...this is what leads me (along with your pics and help) to believe the seat frame is broken somewhere...

where the seat frame attaches to the floor appears solid...

I did go look at a low mileage 2020 XT6 Sport on the lot of a sort of nearby dealership yesterday...but I'm not there yet...got the Sport Wagon washed and I can't part with it just yet...

I really appreciate all the help with this, thanks

Bill

 

[el_sperrito]

Wow, it’s actually gone. End of an era!

 

[FTSS]

Wow, it’s actually gone. End of an era!

Actually, many years constitutes an era. This thread has been an eon!

 

[Long]

Actually, many years constitutes an era. This thread has been an eon!

...And will continue to live on.

 

[tinman]

I sat in my old wagon on Monday. I still really loved that car. I started me on my path to my V wagon and beyond! Perhaps "Cadillac's Greatest Generation", lol?

 

[Long]

I sat in my old wagon on Monday. I still really loved that car. I started me on my path to my V wagon and beyond! Perhaps "Cadillac's Greatest Generation", lol?

They are great cars.
I kept mine because I wanted to, not because I had to.

 

[tinman]

And like my old lady they are still hot!

 

[NorthernSRX]

They are great cars.
I kept mine because I wanted to, not because I had to.

I think this thread (and others) bears testimony to my desire to keep mine. They are really really good cars.

 

[Long]

I think this thread (and others) bears testimony to my desire to keep mine. They are really really good cars.

You cared well for that car right up to passing off the title.

 

[silversport]

thought I'd include the latest with checking on my driver's seat...I took it to 2 places yesterday to have the seat checked and explore any options...

first place was my usual mechanics and I already knew this was something they wouldn't take on but I always get good advice there...I watched as they moved the seat up and forward and was surprised as how unstable the seat is as it seemed almost solid when in my usual position...and I don't move the seat much if ever once in my usual position...

was suggested that I check with the dealership, body shops and possibly trim shops for further...same advice that I've received here and already surmised...

next was the dealership...I thought I could stop in at their body shop as a couple years ago my aunt had her car repaired there and they did an excellent job as well as being a "preferred" repair facility for State Farm...

the dealership is remodeling and I had to stop at the normal service area first where the service advisor told me that I need to make an appointment but he was able to view the seat by moving it forward and up and said "yep, your seat frame is broken"...I have made an appointment for next week but I am already of the belief that no new seat frame can be located (I have searched as well as NorthernSRX prior searches) and the seat frames I see from wrecker yards online or from eBay (along with even a replacement drivers seat) appear to be in worse condition than the one I have already...

I look forward to hearing what the dealership will conclude next week but I really believe the answer will be finding a body shop or welder willing to take this job on...I have been told liability concerns haver severely limited my choices in that field however...

I'll update here when I know more...as always, I appreciate all the help and support on this Forum...I'm not ready to give up on the Sport Wagon yet...

Bill

 

[Long]

I removed the "exit" feature from my seat settings after on & off episodes of the seat returning to numerous random positions, none of which were memory settings and most of which were attempts to crush my torso between the seat and steering wheel. Now the only time the seat is moved at all is when I ride shotgun while my daughter drives (she has overthrown my wife from the Driver 2 setting). I have to believe that limiting seat movement should extend the durability range of the seat itself.

The fact that these seats are very thin by design IMO is likely another factor as to why they seem to be prone to frame issues. I've personally never recollected a failure of this nature concerning such a vital safety component.

Good luck finding a solution and definitely keep us updated, Bill.

 

[silversport]

I do this as well as I don't ever use some of the conveniences in the car that I don't find a convenience for me...

I'll report back here and agree with your assessment on the seats...I'm curious to hear what the dealership has to say about repair/replacement since it seems that these driver's side frames are non existent...what do repair facilities do with this that satisfies the manufacturer, the owner and the insurance company?

Bill

 

[tinman]

I'd weld it for you, but with shipping and all it would take some time. I would do a fast turnaround, but again it would take time just because of logistics.

 

[nstar]

I removed the "exit" feature from my seat settings after on & off episodes of the seat returning to numerous random positions, none of which were memory settings and most of which were attempts to crush my torso between the seat and steering wheel. Now the only time the seat is moved at all is when I ride shotgun while my daughter drives (she has overthrown my wife from the Driver 2 setting). I have to believe that limiting seat movement should extend the durability range of the seat itself.

The fact that these seats are very thin by design IMO is likely another factor as to why they seem to be prone to frame issues. I've personally never recollected a failure of this nature concerning such a vital safety component.

Good luck finding a solution and definitely keep us updated, Bill.

Had that same problem with XTS that my wife is main driver when set at exit so it's easy for me to get out it wouldn't hold presets, so I had her set where she wanted and kept setting my position further away from steering wheel and still have seat hold memory seat positions without losing them. Then in my situation had to move exit setting closer to steering wheel so she could be closer to brake because of push button start.
There must be some kind or encoder that only has so much linear travel is the only thing I can figure out.
So, if I drive, I just hit seat control all the way back to get in or out just and inconvenience that needs work around I figured if I went to dealer i would end up with more problems and would be told that's the way it is.

 

[Padgett]

I do not have it change seat but raise wheel on exit.

 

[silversport]

so I brought the CTS Sport Wagon in to the dealership yesterday for an estimate...after scanning my car and checking all the other things they do during their "Courtesy Multi Point Inspection" I was told the following:

based on my mileage and inspection it is recommended that I should have my cabin air filter changed for $124.49 (mine is currently 10 months old/5K miles and a charcoal impregnated filter I change myself) and a coolant system service is recommended for $262.99...I told them I would pass on those two services...

now the reason for my visit to the dealership: I was told that in my case they found the seat back frame needs replacement as the welds are cracked...the frame can be ordered and I would need to pay for the part up front (but not the labor of course)...should be here in about 4 days and that they would call me to then set up an appointment for installation along with the price for the whole deal.

I thought about that and although I could probably save a bit by taking it to a body shop or ordering this part and doing it myself I just told him "let's do it." I would have had to make an appointment at a body ship after finding one I would trust to do this and then wait for that day for them to tell me I need a new seat back frame and then wait for them to have time to do this (so many are so busy/less employees working that I just went with the dealership...

I realize I will be paying a premium for having the dealership body shop do this but I am hoping that this is truly the issue with my seat and I get the old feeling back for my car as NorthernSRX did when he repaired his seat frame bottom on his car.

I still suspect that my issue was the seat base but I know that the dealership looked into my seat more than I could since I found signs of that inspection (manual tilt and telescoping wheel in and up) so we'll see...

I will of course report back here the results of this dealership's work and my Sport Wagon's seat...

Bill

 

[Long]

Sometimes the upcharge comes in the form of convenience; your time is worth more than money.
Hopefully this process goes smoothly for you, Bill.