MRubenzahl

Hi, all. Looking for a diagram or advice so I can figure out the mechanism that allows rear seat to fold down in a 1999 Lexus RX300.

The release lever broke and I was going to just replace the lever but realized that the cable the lever pulls on is locked solid and I can't pull it manually. So looks like something jammed down below and that caused the lever to break.

So I removed the seat and can see where the lever goes down the seat back to an anchor point on a lever near the seat back's pivot. See photo -- this is from below the seat (that is, from floor position), looking up at the pivot. 1 is the cable coming down from the latch at the top of the seat; 2 is where its end engages the levers at the pivot point. The cable is free to wiggle and is attached to the lever; but the lever at 2 will not move at all. Something is stuck.

Anyone have a diagram or experience? I don't know how to get further.

dancer5678

okay, so this mechanism rotates a bar that goes across the back of the seat. it is deeper than the mechanism, slightly pressed on the seat. the bar rotates and has another wire/latch on the inside of the seat where it should connect. that second wire was not connected and it was a simple hook back inside in order to complete the mechanisms pulley system on both sides! hope this helps!

MRubenzahl

Unfortunately, my car was destroyed last Sept in an 8-car collision (!). But I appreciate the response. I never did figure it out.

maxSteel

Well, that sucks. Hope everyone is OK