No Lumbar...

[Scrrem]

Well, I decided the interior has been neglected long enough and decided to tackle my non-functional lumbar. Once I determined my pump was good, I dove into the seat bladder. What I found was three rotted out connectors at the bladder, new bladders in route.
Rich

[vettn71]

They only see to last 10 to 15 years. I'm on my third set, since new. The nipples just seem to rot off, while the rest of the inflator seems okay. Makes me wonder what will happen when GM no longer offers these

Jim

[msmoore]

Hey guys! Where's the best place to get these lumbar replacements? I fixed my pump and it's blowing air but still nothing happens in the seat. Any trick to getting to to the bladders?
I also found that the white connectors under the seat were all cracked so I just joined the hoses on each site of one of the black nipple connectors

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Sounds like a good part for one of you guys to reproduce.

[scottfab]

Sounds like a good part for one of you guys to reproduce.

I guess I'd like to see an aftermarket one that's bigger than stock.
It's good to see no one ripping these things out. They fail from time to time but hey..... for back problems on long trips they're worth fixing.

[Blue Flame Restorations]

Why would they rip them out just because they are bad? Too much work for no gain. Needs a more robust design for sure.

[Dynomite]

Why would they rip them out just because they are bad? Too much work for no gain.

Because Scott says so.....he likes the word rip or ripping lately :D

See Lumbar pump repair (http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4659)

[Scrrem]

Hey guys! Where's the best place to get these lumbar replacements? I fixed my pump and it's blowing air but still nothing happens in the seat. Any trick to getting to to the bladders?
I also found that the white connectors under the seat were all cracked so I just joined the hoses on each site of one of the black nipple connectors

The bladders are a VERY difficult part to find, not many people carry them. I had standing orders with both Corvette Central and Eklers for over 4 months and neither could get them in stock. I was finially able to find one at this place:
http://www.corvettepacifica.com/ , Not sure if they are getting any more.

You will need a good set of cutters to cut about 10-15 hog rings to get the bladder out. You will need to buy a set of hog ring pliers and a couple bags of hog rings to re-secure the seat cover to the foam. Take some pictures as you go to help you remember where the hog rings go. Yeah, it's a lot of work for little gain, but my I can't seem to shake this anal-retentive nature I have for everything to be working.
Rich

[-=Jeff=-]

I have also seen them on eBay too.

the 94-96 bladders seem to be of a better design but are shorter in width, although they might work in the earlier seats

[LancePearson]

They only see to last 10 to 15 years. I'm on my third set, since new. The nipples just seem to rot off, while the rest of the inflator seems okay. Makes me wonder what will happen when GM no longer offers these

Jim


I've had a number of gm and ford vehicles over the years with inflatable lumbar supports and they all, every single one, fail or start to not hold air in a very few years. When and if I take my seats out I am going to custom replace them with closed cell reasonably stiff foam in those spots and disable the function completely. Pretty much useless from my point of view over time as is.

Lance

[msmoore]

[QUOTE=Scrrem;167315]The bladders are a VERY difficult part to find, not many people carry them. I had standing orders with both Corvette Central and Eklers for over 4 months and neither could get them in stock. I was finially able to find one at this place:
http://www.corvettepacifica.com/ , Not sure if they are getting any more.

No go at Corvettepacifica. Doesn't look like there are ANY available. I've seen a few threads about using small bicycle innertubes and BP cuffs for DIY repairs. How hard is it to remove replace the hog rings? Just trying to measure effort vs reward.

[scottfab]

So this is what they look like. Looks like a prime candidate for a better, longer lasting design.

http://www.corvettepacifica.com/products/9972/bladder-seat-lumbar-support-84-93/

I need about twice the inflation diameter on the middle one.

[Scrrem]

No go at Corvettepacifica. Doesn't look like there are ANY available. I've seen a few threads about using small bicycle innertubes and BP cuffs for DIY repairs. How hard is it to remove replace the hog rings? Just trying to measure effort vs reward.

I found the easy way to remove the hog rings to to cut them with a good pair of cutters. You will have 6 that ancor the bottom of the seat cover and 3-4 up each side. This will alllow you to pull the cover back and expose the bladder.
Rich

[Hammer]

ZIP Corvette says they should be getting them in 4/11.
http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductDetails/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=%7B9682E8A6-3D83-40ED-BE06-0D41384C651B%7D&gid=%7B84DC6C8B-F811-46CF-B677-4CBBF8ED0FE1%7D&pname=84-93+Sport+Seat+Lumbar+Bladder&Referer=&Alias=&ptct=SGR-SR&CTitle=&

[Hammer]

Corvette America also seems to have them.
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/displaylearnmore.cfm?learnmoreid=981&idlist=1738,2376,3984,1342,2113,53,70,p_33251,1059 ,2216,2215,4554,959,1783,906,1060,5083,1062,4554,5 083,5630,1380,785,684,5059,5634,3078,1614,1061,106 2,4906,p_41647,2674,981,1150,p_50755,480,480,1144&searchdest=%2Fcf%2Flearnmorelist%2Ecfm%3Fsubcatego ryid%3DX420&subcategoryid=X420

[Corbusa]

Maybe we could get a group buy? I'd get me 2 just to put back.

[Scrrem]

Corvette America also seems to have them.
http://www.corvetteamerica.com/cf/displaylearnmore.cfm?learnmoreid=981&idlist=1738,2376,3984,1342,2113,53,70,p_33251,1059 ,2216,2215,4554,959,1783,906,1060,5083,1062,4554,5 083,5630,1380,785,684,5059,5634,3078,1614,1061,106 2,4906,p_41647,2674,981,1150,p_50755,480,480,1144&searchdest=%2Fcf%2Flearnmorelist%2Ecfm%3Fsubcatego ryid%3DX420&subcategoryid=X420

I wonder if they really have them. I had an order with them for over 4 months and they just kept pushing the arrival date back.
Rich