Shower seat repair?

[Gord&Cindy]

Our shower seat seems to be a bit loose where it attaches to the wall, so I decided I should tighten it.
I have no idea how to get the plastic caps off the holes to access the pivot pins. I believe they just pop off, but they refuse to comply! I don't want to break them because I don't have any to replace them with.
Any ideas on how to remove them without destroying them?

 

[Midnight Rider]

Picture would be helpful ?

 

[Gord&Cindy]

Picture would be helpful ?

Here are a couple of pictures.
The little round plug on the side/bottom is what I need to get out, without destroying it too much.

 

[Socal-Paul]

Looks to me like it should pop out with a thin blade of a knife or screwdriver.

 

[Gord&Cindy]

Looks to me like it should pop out with a thin blade of a knife or screwdriver.

Well, that's what I was thinking.
Unfortunately, it has other ideas. I tried a small screwdriver and a knife, but I've only succeeded in marking it up, and it's not budging.
I'm starting to think someone's glued it in. This is a replacement seat. The original had a stripped pivot bolt, so our local dealer replaced it under warranty. Perhaps the tech got a bit over enthusiastic to made sure it would not fall out!?
I need some secret tricks on how to remove these things without damaging them because I suspect it's not something that's easy to get hold of if I make a mess of this one.

 

[Grassjohn]

Try a little hairdryer heat?
It’s a little hard to see but there may be a small hole that’s easier to access and pry with a needle or straight pin

 

[Gord&Cindy]

Try a little hairdryer heat?
It’s a little hard to see but there may be a small hole that’s easier to access and pry with a needle or straight pin

Thanks for the suggestion. It really sounded like that might work, sadly, no.
I used a heat gun on low heat and got it hot enough so I really didn't want to leave my finger on it too long, but not hot enough to melt it. But it's still refusing to let go.
I suspect I'm going to have to add this to my 'not fixed' list for now. We really don't use the seat, in fact, I would be just as happy to not have it.
Anyway, thanks again,
Gord

 

[Socal-Paul]

As a guess, if I were to seal something like this (which I wouldn't) I would use some silicone then put the plug in. You might try a silicone remover in a bag and let it soak or if you have a syringe force it in and go back at it with the knife or screwdriver. I'm also assuming you have tried to unscrew it, not that I think it will.

 

[RockDr896]

I was wondering if you remove the seat, can you turn the entire hub? I will look at mine when I get a chance.

 

[Gord&Cindy]

As a guess, if I were to seal something like this (which I wouldn't) I would use some silicone then put the plug in. You might try a silicone remover in a bag and let it soak or if you have a syringe force it in and go back at it with the knife or screwdriver. I'm also assuming you have tried to unscrew it, not that I think it will.

No, it doesn't unscrew.
I might give the silicone remover a try, not sure if I could get enough in through the crack to make a difference, but you never know.
Thanks.

 

[RockDr896]

I finally figured out how to remove the seat in the shower, since I am pulling out my shower and re-doing it. I used a seal pick to remove the small cap on the side. Then you have to screw in a M5-0.8 bolt into the end and you can pull the pins out. I didn't have one. The bracket is held to the wall with 4 very large wood screws. If it is coming loose, then perhaps they missed or didn't put a stud there. My plastic hubs were a bit loose, but the bracket was firmly in place. The quickest method is taking a hammer to the plastic hub and order new ones...LOL. I am not sure if I will be putting the seat back in.

 

[BryanValRox]

I finally figured out how to remove the seat in the shower, since I am pulling out my shower and re-doing it. I used a seal pick to remove the small cap on the side. Then you have to screw in a M5-0.8 bolt into the end and you can pull the pins out. I didn't have one. The bracket is held to the wall with 4 very large wood screws. If it is coming loose, then perhaps they missed or didn't put a stud there. My plastic hubs were a bit loose, but the bracket was firmly in place. The quickest method is taking a hammer to the plastic hub and order new ones...LOL. I am not sure if I will be putting the seat back in.

RockDr896,

Thank you very much!

This is a great share and solves a long standing mystery 😂