My 98 Buick Riviera

J. Chris Davis wrote:

Several months since my last post.  Had to fix my driver seat over the weekend.  The top half of the upper seat frame broke right above where it bolts together so got that welded and back together.  I am now trying to find the rear seat back release lever knob since I ended up breaking mine getting it off.

You may be able to get a knob off another GM car with Lear interior - I don't have a list, though. I'd measure the stub then go "hunting" at a pick-n-pull with some GM coupes. Sunfires, Eldos, Cavaliers, maybe an old Lumina coupe. Also, consider making or having made knobs for out of hardwood. You could work out specs with someone offering "wood turning" - those folks make knobs and handles all the time, you may even have a buddy with a lathe who can do it. Worst case I think would be the part where you stick the knob onto the lever would have to have a stop collar epoxied in, something like at this LINK. Not sure 3/8" is the right size but you get the point. And you might need to get a longer screw, also not a big deal. Point is, you could have wood knobs made, epoxy in a collar, use the set screw(s) with a little loctite blue and you'll be good to go.

I may look at other cars for a knob, but I would like to find the correct knob for it.

J. Chris Davis wrote:

I may look at other cars for a knob, but I would like to find the correct knob for it.

There is a chance that the other cars will have the right knob. There is a good chance that another GM car will have a knob that fits.

For instance, the Riv gear shift knob is shared by the Chevy Cavalier of similar years but the Cav knob does not necessarily have the leather cover on it. A cover can be made or moved from a malfunctioning knob. Shift knobs from several other GM cars will fit and function. There can be a good bit of practical interchangeability in GM hard parts.

Other than that I am out of ideas - good luck.


Albertj

I will do some cross referencing to see what I can come up with between different years and makes of GM. What would one call this part. Seat back lever release knob?

J. Chris Davis wrote:

I will do some cross referencing to see what I can come up with between different years and makes of GM.  What would one call this part.  Seat back lever release knob?

That's a problem.  The diagrams I looked at don't show a SKU for the knob, the lever is apparently part of a unit 16777264.  If available, $56.00 from http://www.wholesalegmpartsonline.com/products/Buick/Riviera/LATCH-Front-Seat-Back-Lock/2837373/16777264.html - you can see the drawing at that link, it does not clearly show the lever.

Thanks for finding that diagram. That helps a lot. Looks like #8 on the diagram, part# 20513435 is what I want which is not listed as available.

J. Chris Davis wrote:

Thanks for finding that diagram.  That helps a lot.  Looks like #8 on the diagram, part# 20513435 is what I want which is not listed as available.

An inexpensive solution that would look right and work as long as you need it to might be to get a wooden dowel of adequate diameter, drill a hole in the end to friction-fit the stub of the lever, cut it to adequate length, then seal it and paint it gloss black, or stain it and polish/urethane it to match the color of your Riv's wood trim. You could make both knobs for very short money.

I was able to find one from a 2007 Tahoe that was a close but not exact match. It is installed and should work fine till I can find an original one.

Found my old website I made up back in high school for my 76 Riviera when I had it. I had it till 2004, but lost access and my email to this web site. Here's the link if anyone wants to check it out. The car did get fixed after the accident pictures, but never updated the page since I lost access to it.

http://www.angelfire.com/il/76riv/chrishome.html

Been a while since I last posted.  Haven't had to do anything to the Riv other than drive it and put gas in it.  I'm almost to 168k miles. I did buy this new toy a couple days ago.  1998 Corvette with 61k original miles. So now I need to sell my IROC so I have room for it.

Ohhhh..... nice...

Wow, GM used the same door handle on the Corvette.  The Regal and Gran Prix also got it.  It really says something that GM used that handle across so many models and still made it crappy.

You know, after looking at the Riv's tail for so long, the Vette's rear seems unnecessarily broad.

Nice ride, I keep finding myself scoping out the Corvettes for sale..

I can't believe the same, or VERY similar shift knob is still around and so widely spread across models!

Jbird

Thanks stan and jbird. Thanks jack the R? Not sure why you posted on here if you don't like the car. I don't care about what you don't like about the car.

J. Chris Davis wrote:

Thanks stan and jbird.  Thanks jack the R? Not sure why you posted on here if you don't like the car.  I don't care about what you don't like about the car.

Bro, I didn't say I didn't like the car.  I like the car.  I don't even mind the parts bin, makes sense to me.  I just wish GM had made a stout door handle for us.  

The Vette's rear looks fine, the Riv is the oddball, but it's warped my sense of normalcy.

BTW popups FTW.

Still LOVE this bodystyle. Aside from the current bodystyle, this was always my favorite!! Very nice ride!!

Thanks guys!

Looking great.

Thank you

Last weekend I washed, clayed and waxed the Corvette and installed exterior LED's and a black out kit on it yesterday.   I also took the side moldings off.

Very nice!
I have a friend that keeps trying to convince me that I need a Corvette.
It is a car I would consider to take the spot in the garage from the Riv.
I do wonder if my girlfriend and I would be sorry because of how difficult it would be to get in and out of. Hmm.
Jbird

Thank you! I sure do enjoy driving it. It can be a bit of a pain sometimes getting in and out of the car since it sits so low and I also try not to drag my feet on the rockers, but I think I'm getting used to that as long as my knees hold out, lol.

J. Chris Davis wrote:

Last weekend I washed, clayed and waxed the Corvette and installed exterior LED's and a black out kit on it yesterday.   I also took the side moldings off.

Awesome job man, that's a stunning one. We may take in a Corvette project soon right after we finished the final mods and parts such as rack, railings, access tonneau cover and a couple of led light bars on the current truck project. The blackout concept really looks great.

Thank you! I'm pretty happy with it. Got the windows tinted 30% last week and working on projector/LED headlights this week. I also changed out the rear side marker lenses for flush ones. I'll post some pictures once I get that done and the car washed.

Nice Chris........