Replacement "nut" for 29 bench seat mechanism

Unknown

With the help of Geoff Clark in New Zealand, I'm having a replacement

casting made for the broken "nut" that makes the front seat

adjustment mechanism work on my '29 Town Sedan.



As long as we're at it, we should be making enough to fill current

needs of this group, and maybe one or two extras for people who

develop a problem later. So...if you want one of these little

thingies, please let me know.



The original item is made of pot metal, which is why it is

vulnerable. The replacement will be cast in "gun metal," which is

type of bronze alloy. Geoff can provide details on that if anyone

needs to know. But you can be sure it will be several orders of

magnitude stronger than the original.



I propose to pay Geoff directly for all the US-bound items, and then

re-distribute to participants in the group order. I know already that

Paul O'Neil wants one, so we're for sure ordering three (one for him,

one for me, and one for safe keeping.



Cost remains to be determined, but I am guessing something on the

order of $50 to $75 per item. Geoff will let us know after he

receives the original and gets it into the hands of his casting

wizard. There will be a one-time cost for a mold to be made off the

original, and then a per-item charge for each casting. I propose to

split the one-time charge among those who order (one charge per

buyer, even if you order more than one "nut.") So if we have four

buyers, each pays 1/4 of the setup charge plus the per-unit cost for

as many units as are ordered. plus shipping costs for the

re-distribution within the US.



Just to avoid anyone else experiencing the same confusion that I

suffered on this seat mechanism problem, let me describe what the

part is and where it fits into the scheme of things.



First off, there are two different kinds of seat adjustment

mechanisms that were installed on '29 Hudsons. One kind, which went

onto Coupes and other two-seaters (I think) is a fairly elaborate

mechanism that moves the seat cushion forward and back, raises the

seat cushion up as it comes forward, and also adjust the back cushion

angle. That is NOT what we are talking about here.



The "bench seat" mechanism on my '29 Town Sedan (and I presume other

Hudsons with a front bench seat) only adjusts in one dimension --

moving the entire seat forward and back. This is a much simpler

mechanism that the Coupe has. On this version, the entire seat slides

back and forward on a track. The whole mechanism (and the seat) is

driven forward and backward by a 6" screw that is attached to the

fixed base. The screw goes through a "nut" that is attached to the

portion of the seat that slides. When you turn the screw the nut

moves forward or back, and carries the seat with it.



The "nut" is a disk about 1 1/4" in diameter and 1/2" thick, with a

stubby "axle" projecting from each sides. The "axle" fits into two

holes in the mounting bracket, and holds the "nut" in place. You have

to remove the seat cushion and then stand on your head to see this.

The mounting bracket for the "nut" is at the front of the seat, with

the adjusting screw going through it.



You will have to drill out two rivets to remove and replace the

original "nut" and put in a new one, and then re-rivet. Installation

should be easy.



I'll post a photo of the "nut" if anyone is uncertain about what

we're talking about.





Lew Phelps

Pasadena, CA

1929 Town Sedan