Owners of compact sedans Nissan Sunny often face the need to increase the volume of the luggage compartment. Standard compartment sizes do not always allow for the transport of long items such as pipes, furniture or building materials. The solution to this problem is to dismantle the rear sofa, which can be done fairly quickly with a minimum set of tools.
The process of removing seats on this model has its own characteristics, depending on the year of manufacture and body type. In some modifications, the backrests fold, while in others, complete physical dismantling of the cushion and frame is required. Incorrect actions can lead to damage to the upholstery or pinched wiring, so it is important to approach the task carefully and consistently.
Preparing tools and workspace
Before starting work, it is necessary to ensure a safe environment and prepare everything necessary. You will need a spacious area where the car will not interfere with others, as well as access to the rear of the cabin from both sides. Lack of space limits maneuverability and increases the risk of scratching sills or door cards.
To complete the task, you will need a basic set of tools that every car enthusiast has. First of all, this is a set of socket heads and wrenches, as well as a flat-head screwdriver for prying out the clamps. Sometimes a 10 or 12 mm wrench may be useful, since the mounting bolts can be of different sizes depending on the configuration Nissan Sunny.
Pay special attention to workplace lighting, as many fastenings are located in hard-to-reach areas under the seat. The darkness can cause you to miss an important bolt or strip the threads when trying to unscrew it blindly. It is also useful to have a flashlight or additional light source on hand to examine the condition of the fasteners.
Removing the rear sofa cushion
The first step is to remove the lower part of the seat, that is, the cushion. On most models Nissan Sunny it is mounted not with bolts, but with special brackets or hooks, which greatly simplifies the process. You need to grab the front edge of the pillow with your hand and sharply pull up, overcoming the force of the latches.
If the seat does not give way, check whether it is blocked by additional safety mechanisms. Some versions have a lock that must be released by pressing a lever or pulling a cable under the panel. Do not use excessive force to avoid breaking the plastic fasteners, which may become brittle after prolonged use.
Once the front part is free, carefully move the seat towards the trunk and remove it from the passenger compartment. You need to lift it smoothly so as not to catch the wiring under the floor or door trim elements. You now have easy access to the floor and lower backrest mountings.
Removing the seat back and freeing up space
The back of the rear sofa can be either solid or divided into two parts in a 60/40 ratio. First, check if there are folding levers in the luggage compartment or in the cabin. If the folding mechanism does not work or you are interested in complete dismantling, you will have to unscrew the bolts securing it to the body.
Locate the bolts that hold the backrest upright. They are usually located at the bottom, at the base of the seat, and can be hidden with plastic plugs. Remove these plugs with a flat head screwdriver and then remove the bolts with a suitable wrench. Be careful as the backrest may fall forward if you do not support it with your hand.
After unscrewing all the fasteners, carefully tilt the backrest forward and remove it from the body. If the backrest is solid, its weight can be significant, so it is better to ask an assistant to help you when removing it. The freed up space will allow you to make the most of the trunk by loading large items.
- Head set
- One universal screwdriver
- Removable keys
- Other
Technical nuances of fastening and features of models
The seat mounting design may vary slightly depending on the year of manufacture of the vehicle and the market. On early models Nissan Sunny (B13, B14) fastenings are often made in the form of welded hinges, which are not intended for frequent dismantling. Newer versions (B15, B17) use bolted connections that are designed to withstand regular maintenance.
It is important to understand that on some trim levels the seat cushion may be secured with bolts rather than hooks. This occurs in versions with increased security or in specific market modifications. In this case, you need to find the bolts under the decorative trims or in the niches under the seat and unscrew them.
It is also worth considering the presence of seat belts and their fastenings. When completely removing the seats, the belt may interfere with the removal of the backrest or cushion. In some cases, it is necessary to temporarily loosen the belt bolt to disengage it, but then be sure to return it to its original position for safety.
☑️ Tools for work
⚠️ Attention! Wear gloves when working with metal fasteners and bolts to avoid cutting your hands on sharp edges. Dirt and rust can hide sharp edges that are not visible to the naked eye.
Security and performance testing
After you have removed the seats, be sure to check the condition of the floor and fastenings. Make sure you do not damage any wiring that may run under the floor trim or along the thresholds. Damaged insulation can lead to a short circuit and failure of the vehicle's electronic systems.
If you plan to transport heavy loads, make sure the trunk floor can support the load. The absence of a sofa can lead to the fact that the load will press directly on the metal of the body or on the suspension elements. Use special nets or sides to distribute the weight evenly.
Before installing the seats back, check that all locking mechanisms are working properly. Make sure that the hooks are not deformed and that the bolts do not have stripped threads. Securing the seat securely is critical to the safety of passengers in the event of emergency braking or an accident.
What to do if the bolts are stuck?
If the bolts won't come off, use penetrating lubricant (WD-40) and let it work. You can slightly heat the bolt with a hair dryer, but be careful with the plastic parts of the interior.
Compatibility table and mounting types
For convenience, we have collected basic data on the types of fastenings for different generations Nissan Sunny. This information will help you prepare the right tool in advance and understand what difficulties you may encounter.
| Model generation | Pillow mounting type | Backrest mounting type | Difficulty in dismantling |
|---|---|---|---|
| B13 (until 1994) | Bolts under the trim | Bolts in the base | High |
| B14 (1994-1998) | Hooks (often) | Bolts | Average |
| B15 (1998-2005) | Hooks | Bolts or levers | Low |
| B17 (2012-present) | Hooks | Folding levers | Very low |
Please note that the table contains average information. In rare cases, configuration may differ due to dealer specific options or previous repairs. Always visually check for hidden fasteners before starting work.
⚠️ Attention! Never leave loose seats in the trunk while driving. They may move due to inertia and damage the rear window or injure passengers.
Before unscrewing the bolts, mark their position with a marker or take a photograph so that during assembly you do not confuse long and short fasteners, which may differ in length.
Common mistakes during dismantling and their consequences
One of the most common mistakes is trying to remove the pillow without checking all the fasteners. This may cause the plastic clips that hold the seat upholstery to break. Replacing these items takes time and money, and can also ruin the appearance of the interior.
Another mistake is ignoring the condition of the bolts. If you use the wrong wrench or apply too much force, you can lick off the edges of the bolt. As a result, it will be extremely difficult to unscrew it next time, and you will have to resort to using a grinder or drill, which will ruin the part.
You should also avoid rough handling of upholstery. Plastic and fabric can be damaged by sudden movements, especially if the seat is old and worn. Use soft tools or wrap the screwdriver with electrical tape to avoid scratching the surface when prying.
Reinstalling seats: rules and recommendations
The installation process back should be mirror symmetrical to the removal process. First, secure the backrest, making sure that the bolts are tightened all the way, but not distorted. Then insert the pillow by pressing it until the latches click.
Check to see if the seat is skewed or touching body parts. Run your hand around the perimeter to make sure there are no gaps. The back should fit snugly against the pillow, leaving no gaps where fingers or small objects could get caught.
At the end of the work, check the functionality of the seat belts. They should slide out freely and lock into place when pulled. If something sticks, you may have installed the belt fastener incorrectly or damaged the locking mechanism.
Regularly checking seat fastenings after dismantling and installing them extends the service life of the mechanism and guarantees the safety of passengers.
FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions
Is it possible to remove the rear seat of a Nissan Sunny without tools?
In most modern models (B15, B17), the cushion can be removed manually by simply pulling the front edge. However, removing the backrest almost always requires a wrench to unscrew the mounting bolts.
Is it difficult to remove the seat in the Nissan Sunny B13 model?
Yes, this is one of the most difficult models to dismantle. The fasteners often rust and stick, and the bolts are hidden under thick linings. Requires a lot of time and penetrating lubrication.
What to do if the backrest doesn't fold?
Check whether the mechanism is blocked by the safety lever. If the lever does not work, the cable or the mechanism itself may be broken. In this case, you will have to completely unscrew the backrest mounting bolts.
Do I need to remove the upholstery to access the bolts?
Usually not. The backrest mounting bolts are located at the bottom, near the floor, and are accessible without removing the door trim or floor. However, in some rare cases it may be necessary to remove the plastic door sill trims.
How to properly store removed seats?
Store them upright in a dry place, away from direct sunlight. The pillow can be placed on a soft surface so as not to crush the springs or polyurethane foam.