I'm trying to remove the large plastic trim piece on left side of driver's seat. There is a hidden claw I have not found yet. On page 5, step, shows claw near the seatback adjuster handle. Don't see it. http://jaygroh.dreamhost.com/prius/Prius%20Info/Official%20Toyota%20Info/Repair%20Information/Repair%20Manual/SE%20-%20Seat.pdf TIA
That one your just going to have to break. I never got that one out. Why are you needing to remove it? If your installing seat covers just wedge the cover down the side. Thats what I did when I installed my seat covers.
I want to remove the seat cushion fabric, get to the seat cushion (the foam) to consider shaving / shaping it. Are you serious about needing to break that claw to remove left side trim piece?
I got the piece off without breaking the claw. The diagram helped. I used an L shaped flat tip screwdriver held by pliers to wedge into the crevice. The claw is totally hidden from view. That was tough.
I put the seat back together and installed it back in the car. No further modifications, too risky. In my opinion, the next better mod would be to get a good 03 - 08 Corolla seat, move the airbag/wiring from a Prius seat over to it, mount Prius feet on it maybe on extendmyseat brackets or with rail extenders. Once you get the seat down low (for a tall person), then you've got more options for seat cushions. I might take up such a project next year.
