Guide Piece Kit for Seat Track, for Beetle 73-79

OVERVIEW

If you have ever experienced that frustrating, side-to-side wobble or a seat that refuses to slide smoothly along its tracks, you know exactly how much it detracts from the driving experience of your classic air-cooled Volkswagen. This EMPI Guide Piece Kit for Seat Tracks is the definitive solution for restoring the structural integrity and smooth operation of your front seats. Designed specifically for the late-model "three-point" seat frames found in mid-to-late 70s Beetles, these high-density nylon glides replace the brittle, cracked, or completely missing original bushings. By eliminating the metal-on-metal contact between the seat frame and the floor tracks, this kit not only stops the annoying rattles but also ensures that your seat adjustments are effortless and precise, just as they were when your Bug first rolled off the assembly line in Wolfsburg.

At Appletree Automotive, we understand that restoration is in the details, and nothing makes a car feel "renewed" quite like solid, functional interior components. This 6-piece comprehensive kit includes the necessary center guides and outer glides to service both the driver and passenger front seats. These components are manufactured from a durable, friction-resistant polymer that is engineered to withstand the weight of the occupants while providing a slick surface for the seat runners. Whether you are performing a full ground-up restoration or simply trying to fix a daily driver''s annoying seat "clunk," this kit is an essential, low-cost upgrade that provides an immediate and tactile improvement to your VW''s cabin. Don''t settle for loose seats that compromise your comfort and safety; invest in a kit that brings back the tight, factory-fresh feel to your Volkswagen interior.

FITMENT

• Volkswagen Type 1 Beetle (Standard): 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977
• Volkswagen Type 1 Super Beetle: 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979
• Note: Fits models equipped with the "Three-Point" seat track system only (single center rail at the front with two outer runners at the rear).

SPECS

• Product Type: Seat Track Guide/Bushing Kit
• Kit Quantity: 6 Individual Pieces (Complete for two front seats)
• Material: High-Impact Industrial Grade Nylon / Polymer
• Color: White / Translucent
• Reference Part Number: 111-898-213
• Manufacturer Part Number: 98-8972-B
• Application: Front Seat Adjustment Tracks
• Resistance Properties: UV Resistant, Friction-Reducing, and Chemical Resistant

PRO TIPS

1. Clean and Degrease the Tracks Thoroughly

Before installing your new EMPI guide pieces, it is absolutely critical to remove every trace of old, solidified grease and road grit from the floor tracks. Over decades, the original factory grease turns into a sticky, abrasive paste that will quickly wear down new plastic guides. Use a stiff nylon brush and a high-quality degreaser to scrub the inner channels of the seat tracks until they are bare metal. Once clean, apply a very thin, even coat of white lithium grease or a specialized dry silicone lubricant. Avoiding heavy axle grease is recommended, as it tends to attract hair, carpet fibers, and dirt which act like sandpaper on your new bushings.

2. Inspect the Seat Adjuster Spring and Handle

While you have the seats removed from the vehicle to install these guides, take five minutes to inspect the seat adjustment tension spring and the locking mechanism. Often, the reason a seat feels "loose" isn''t just the guides, but a weak return spring or a bent locking pin. Ensure the spring has plenty of tension and that the teeth on the track aren''t rounded off. If the seat handle is difficult to lift, a small drop of penetrating oil on the pivot points will make the world of difference. This is the best time to address these issues since you already have the seat out of the tight confines of the Beetle''s cabin.

3. Use Gentle Pressure During Installation

When snapping the new nylon guides onto the seat frame runners, remember that while the material is durable, it can be brittle if forced at an extreme angle. If you find a piece is particularly stubborn, you can soak it in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes to make the plastic slightly more pliable before snapping it into place. Ensure the guide is fully seated and "clicked" onto the metal flange before sliding the seat back into the car. If the seat feels too tight to slide back into the tracks initially, double-check that the center guide is perfectly aligned with the front mounting hump; sometimes a slight wiggle of the seat frame is needed to get everything synced up for the first time.