850 wagon rear seat removal

[waydar]

We just removed the seat from a 96 850 wagon, and the pictures and description here do not seem to be very revealing. We did get it out, but the counterbalance cable system gave us trouble. The seatbacks are counterbalanced with a cable and spring inside the seat. Surrounding the pivot pin at the bottom is a square topped aluminum block, which is called a wire holder by Volvo.
First, removing the spring clips with the 2 screwdrivers was not difficult. The next step was to remove the LEFT seat first; it was not mentioned. Perhaps right hand drive cars are different. The move is to pull the backrest outwards so as to release the pin at the bottom and lift at the same time. I chose to pry the aluminum block upwards with a prybar, and I made mine from a Volvo lugwrench spoon, by narrowing it on a belt sander to make it look like a screwdriver blade and lengthening it with a pipe cheater. Then, using a 4 by 8 wood block and prying upwards at the same time as pushing the seat outwards, 2 of us got the seatback out. The right side seat comes out similarly.
Installing the replacement seat was difficult, as the wire holder was twisted by the spring tension. With an assistant pushing down on the top of the seat, I twisted the block into the correct position with a plastic hammer and punch. Volvo says to use a pipe wrench, but mine are all too big. Pliers might work as well. Hope this helps.

[Turbolena]

Just my two cents if someone looks at this posting for reference . The larger rear seat needs to be pulled lateral into the bracket, and you will feel some movement. Then pull up and out.
To install seats I found it easier to disengage the spring loaded seat brackets, don't seem to be necessary and it makes it really easy to install.