Front Seat Removal

[nealf]

Hi I forget how to remove front seats.
Slide to dash and undo front bolts or
Slide to rear and undo rear bolts first

Any other steps missing?
My bottom cushion needs re-foaming and cage repaired

Thanks!

'70 2800CS
'72 Tii

 

[rsporsche]

i found it better to slide to front and remove the rear bolts 1st - there is more weight on the back and if the fronts are undone its difficult to then undo the rears. i guess you could put a weight on the seat bottom or something to keep the front down ...

 

[nealf]

Wait I'm confused. aren't the rear bolts only exposed to removal with seat all the way back? Thx

 

[rsporsche]

i was thinking of removing the seat by the seat rails. if memory serves, i found that easier.

 

[nealf]

oh really? I thought 4 bolts then done. I have done several times in my current '02 and previous ones. Also in other Bimmers...

 

[HB Chris]

Remove the rails with the seats, rear bolts first and then front as Scott suggests

 

[nealf]

yes of course, I had a brain fart. I removed all prior with seat rails intact.
Thanks all...

 

[rsporsche]

i can tell you that it is much easier to reinstall the seats with the rails on them than without.

 

[nealf]

I agree
I didn't realize I was thinking no seat rails
I would never take them off unnecessarily

 

[nealf]

Well not sure why I over thought that one
Had never removed a seat from a CS before that I recall.
This took about 3 minutes
Seat is overall in poor shape. One issue is that the seat and full interior had been dyed prior to me buying the car in 2005.
I got back from a reputable upholster who educated me a bit. He said, disassembly of the seat and removal of the bottom cover would virtually destroy what’s left of it. All 4 springs are broken. He mentioned GAHH as somewhere that could possibly source another cover. However, it will never match the top of my seat and the rest of the interior. He also mentioned sourcing another seat bottom that had better guts. Both of these options would be very expensive. I tried to steer him toward another fix which involves some “old school techniques” he mentioned to get it on better supportive condition than it’s in now. I opted for this solution until I can figure out something better. Not what the purists want to hear I’m sure ..
With that said, does anyone have a
comparable driver seat for sale near Philadelphia PA? Thanks!

 

[eriknetherlands]

Seat cores are available as used parts, I think they were shared parts with e3 so not as scarce as other interior parts.

Just put a 'wanttobuy' add in the parts section for the metal and spring parts.

The cushion (foam) bits are typically made by hand to fit by the upholstery shop.

 

[coupesport]

He said, disassembly of the seat and removal of the bottom cover would virtually destroy what’s left of it. All 4 springs are broken.

I have one or two driver seat bottom steel frames with springs and can offer you one. Although i do not see, in your picture, that the four serpentine springs are broken - I have stripped down four seats and not found any broken but they do splay out which can be fixed. Review the DIY PDF I have attached. Additionally, it reviews how to purchase three upholstery foams of different density and to make a foam bottom cushion - your horsehair bottom will be useless. About 2 yrs ago I searched for replacement seatpads but nothing for the E9. You or your upholsterer might do this and you will have a good seat core to work with - but you will need him to fix your leather.

possibly source another cover. However, it will never match

I have not done so but I think more than a few members have painted their interior leather and vinyl. If that will be necessary for you post a thread asking for red interior color SEM code. It will be an SEM product and a chance the PO used same code.

Post or PM me pictures of the rips or tears in your seat bottom cover. I have two old 2800 seat covers - between the three seat covers maybe someone with skills can get you a decent repaired one.

If you require new, I bought the GAHH and can recommend it. For both front seats material is ~ 2K and upholsterer install cost can be a crapshoot but likely 5k+ in my area. Double both if the back seats and armrests come into play. Then paint the door-panels.

 

[HB Chris]

When mine were rebuilt we used burlap on the springs, then the horsehair, then new foam and finally new covers. Burlap helps seal the horsehair from dropping on the floor.

 

[rsporsche]

I have not done so but I think more than a few members have painted their interior leather and vinyl. If that will be necessary for you post a thread asking for red interior color SEM code. It will be an SEM product and a chance the PO used same code.

i do not recommend coating leather with SEM ColorCoat (vinyl paint). using Leatherique on leather is a much better idea.

 

[nealf]

mine seem like some kind of paint. I have owned my car for 21 years. It was done prior to my ownership.
Maybe, like exterior paints that are now water based, the older paints were of better quality?

 

[rsporsche]

there are many different products to coat leather with and the finish varies greatly. in simple terms, there are 2 basic types - one is a dye that absorbs into the leather (to varying degrees) and the biggest difference is whether there is a coating on top of the dye - some leathers have wax, some have other types of finish ... there success record depends on how they hold up to U/V light. these generally leave the leather with a softer hand (feel).

the 2nd basic type is a painted dye finish, these are very topical and sit on top of the leather rather than absorbing in - i liken this more to a 'plastic' finish. the 'paint' approach doesn't breath, so it is more like vinyl in performance and appearance. the 'painted' finish is generally a much less expensive product.

 

[nealf]

I must have the painted dye-type finish on my seats, thanks.