[bspaughtravel]

Wanting to remove the 3rd row seats in a 2014 EX-L. I found references in old posts to "yes you can", and "remove two bolts" vs "get tool from Honda". YouTube seems to be newer or older models so far in my search, and for the middle seats. DerbyDad03 was referenced as having given good instructions but I don't know how to search or contact for a person/member. Will someone please point me toward thorough instructions to remove the 3rd row seats. I think the posts are saying to have the seats upright, while I would think to have them folded forward. Please and thank you.

Making into a camper/travel vehicle. Actually, bought for this purpose.

 

[WiiMaster]

The process hasn't really changed much from gen 3 to gen 4 as far as I'm aware. Still the same spring setup.

 

[DanaH]

Its doable, I removed 3rd row from my 2014LX. Just a few bolts, HOWEVER there is a strong spring involved. As I remember I just went carefully. As you slowly loosen the bolts you need to understand what the spring is doing and work accordingly. It became obvious to me - I dont remember the exact steps I took.
DanaH

 

[JoeWras]

I did this just last week. It is very different than gen 3. There is a spring in gen 4, but it doesn't require the careful decompression like gen 3.

Basically, you pop off a few covers and remove 12 bolts or so. Then pull the seat out keeping fingers away from the mount points as a milder spring will release.

See this video. She is doing a gen 5, but it is exactly the same except the 60/40 split is opposite. At 5:25, you see her lift the seat and can hear the spring release. This will quickly spin the bracket, so keep away from the mount brackets. BTW, she stopped at removing the big seat. I have back problems and was still carefully able to remove it. I just slide it off the rear bumper onto my dolly truck to move it around.

 

[srt ace]

Just piggybacking to say JoeWras is right - very different (and much easier) than the prior generation. Here is the step by step (from service manual & personal experience):

1) raise the 3rd row up
2) remove the lower hinge covers
3) stow the seats all the way down
4) remove the upper hinge covers
5) remove the upper hinge bolts (14mm; 35 ft lbs)
6) raise the 3rd row up
7) remove the lower hinge bolts (14mm; 35 ft lbs)
8) pull the strap like you are going to stow the seat to disengage the clip and remove the seats
9) installation is reverse of removal; some notes:
a) if you've stored the bolts back in their threaded holes be sure to remove them before lifting the seats back into the trunk!
b) on each seat there is a mechanical link between the hinge and the forward latch; if the hinge isn't in the correct position the latch won't pop-up from the seat
c) consider adding anti-seize to the threads to help with future removal

Note: if done in this order there is no concern about hinge tension, but be careful nonetheless; if done in the opposite order the hinge will pop when lifting out the seat (don't ask me how I know)

-ace

edit: added installation notes

 

[bspaughtravel]

Thank you.

Just piggybacking to say JoeWras is right - very different (and much easier) than the prior generation. Here is the step by step (from service manual & personal experience):

1) raise the 3rd row up
2) remove the lower hinge covers
3) stow the seats all the way down
4) remove the upper hinge covers
5) remove the upper hinge bolts (14mm; 35 ft lbs)
6) raise the 3rd row up
7) remove the lower hinge bolts (14mm; 35 ft lbs)
8) pull the strap like you are going to stow the seat to disengage the clip and remove the seats
9) installation is reverse of removal
Note: if done in this order there is no concern about hinge tension, but be careful nonetheless; if done in the opposite order the hinge will pop when lifting out the seat (don't ask me how I know)

-ace

BIG THANKS!

 

[bspaughtravel]

Thanks again guys. The bolts were a bear but I got them out.

 

[srt ace]

Yeah, definitely had a couple that were a little seized up. Adding some installation notes to my post above:

-if you've stored the bolts back in their threaded holes be sure to remove them before lifting the seats back into the trunk!
-on each seat there is a mechanical link between the hinge and the forward latch; if the hinge isn't in the correct position the latch won't pop-up from the seat
-consider adding anti-seize to the threads to help with future removal

-ace

 

[bspaughtravel]

Thank you. The bolts are in zip lock bag with the seats. I expect to use the holes to secure some of the camping structure. Need to copy and paste all this into a file so I can find it when I put the seats back in. Next projects are installing a trailer wiring harness (great video from UHaul) and the front and rear dashcam (will be a challenge).