Seat Questions

[Racinfan83]

I took my drivers seat out today to fix a couple things. The side bolsters wouldn't move, and of course the lumbar pump didn't work. Got the side bolsters to work (I think it was a loose wire to the switch - works now). I did this fix http://www.zr1.net/forum/showthread.php?t=4659 on the lumbar pump and got it to run and put some air out the tubes when I hooked it up off the car. Got everything back together and the pump runs like a champ. Only problem is that I ran it for probably 30 seconds or so and couldn't feel any inflation on any of the 3 bladders? How long is it supposed to take before you feel the bladders inflating? And I have no idea how much pressure is supposed to come outta that pump - you could feel air coming out? The hoses and all that I could see without removing the actual seat cover from the foam looked good. Pliable and connections were tight...

And the wife wanted me to ask if there was a way to add cushion to the seats? Other then the obvious one which would be to put one IN the seat..???

[efnfast]

Mine pump up pretty quickly. 10-15 seconds. 23 years old, could be dry rotted lines or blown bladders.

Other than that obvious answer about putting more padding in the seat......

[PhillipsLT5]

bladder leaking?

[Racinfan83]

I don't know. Not sure how I would tell either without disassembling the entire seat from the foam.... Was hoping I could get the pump running and all would be good. Not my luck.....:(

[ghlkal]

Racinfan, if the pump works then I would suspect there are tears in the bladders which is also common. Unfortunately, you'll have to dig into the seats to check.


And the wife wanted me to ask if there was a way to add cushion to the seats? Other then the obvious one which would be to put one IN the seat..???

I have my seat out right now and I'm going to throw a piece of "memory foam" under the seat and see if it helps anything.

I'll let you know.

[Franke]

Racinfan83,
When I had my seats redone with new foams and covers the upolstery guy swore at them for having the lumbar support bladders in the foam. Seems they are a PITA to work with. However after the work was done they are working great and feel good too. Quote from the upolstery guy " now I remember why I hate redoing these sport seats" :cry:

[FU]

Seat Mod's

Remove lower portion of seat by releasing the 2 spring clamp's under the front of seat. Lift up seat bottom and disconnect air tubes etc. Check and feel that the trapeze strap's still have spring left to them. I replace the trapeze strap's and cover the sharp wire's with small diameter tubing. Go out and get some heavy duty juke padding and lay it on top of the trapeze etc.. Then reinstall seat bottom and secure the clips.
It's easy as heck and fast to do. The trapeze as they are called can be had from Mid-America or Eckler's.......and they are 2 for each @ 70 buck's for 2 seats. Everything else is cheap and easily found locally.
You and your wife's bun's will love the mod. Mine did !

seat trapeze: http://www.corvettemods.com/product.asp?itemid=8390&gclid=CO6g09vI_bgCFY2Z4AodBX4A1w

Any question's PM me with your number.

[Racinfan83]

I took the entire seat out to do the pump fix - it's actually really simple to get out. The "trapeze" things on mine seem to be in really good shape (car only has 18k miles on it) I haven't taken out the passenger side yet - still trying to figure out the drivers side...
I talked with one of the Mechanics at work - he suggested I try airing up the bladders with an air compressor at like 2 psi, or using one of the 12 volt compressors you fill air beds with - just to see if the bladders/hoses hold air. I think I will try that when I get some time - just to see if maybe the pump fixed with the dish glove diaphragm isn't putting out enough..
What is that "juke" padding you mentioned?? Like memory foam or not? May have to try that but wondering exactly what it is...:o

I have my seat out right now and I'm going to throw a piece of "memory foam" under the seat and see if it helps anything.

I'll let you know.

Yes - please do!

[ghlkal]

The trapeze as they are called can be had from Mid-America or Eckler's.......and they are 2 for each @ 70 buck's for 2 seats.

Should there be two trapeze straps per seat or 4? There are 2 trapeze straps under my driver seat, but there are two more sets of "clips" for them on the seat bottom.

Just wondering.

[FU]

Google juke padding, there are lot's of choice's there. Just don't get one that is too thick or you'll have a tough time putting the seat bottom clip's back on.

Only 2 trapeze strap's on the seat's that I have seen. Make sure they still have spring left in them. While your in there protect the seat foam. t\To avoid the metal wire's etc. from digging into the foam. Turn the seat bottom upside down and you will see what I'm trying to say.

[ghlkal]

I have my seat out right now and I'm going to throw a piece of "memory foam" under the seat and see if it helps anything.



Yes - please do!

OK, my wife and I just took the Z for a short trip. While it's probably not a substitute for correct seat foam replacement, I was surprised how much better the seat (and my seat) felt ;)

My wife had a memory foam pillow that was a half-cylinder and just the right dimensions for the seat bottom. I placed the memory foam down on the frame and then just installed the seat bottom over it.

I'm keeping this in the seat for now as it makes seat time easier for me :-)

[Z51JEFF]

Most likely the bladders are rottin and fell apart.,mine did in my 91.Not sure what the upholstery guy is talking about,the bladders are easy to work with for the most part.If you can find the bladders you need to remove some of the hog rings that hold the cover to the foam,fold the cover back and fish out the old bladders.The bladders have a channel that one of the support wires runs through,you wont be able to remove this without tearing the seat apart,I didnt want to do that so I pushed the new bladder up into the seat,installed new hog rings and its as good as new.Now,getting the seat back to release from the seat back frame is a whole new battle.

[Racinfan83]

Now,getting the seat back to release from the seat back frame is a whole new battle

Yes I found that out. Was going to remove it just to see what all was in there - couldn't find the "release wires" for the top of it. Still thinkin I'm gonna try to air the bladders up with another source just to confirm. I have local car shows tonite and next Sat - so probably won't get to mess with it for a bit. May just try the memory foam first since that is so easy to do...

[Racinfan83]

OK, my wife and I just took the Z for a short trip. While it's probably not a substitute for correct seat foam replacement, I was surprised how much better the seat (and my seat) felt ;)

My wife had a memory foam pillow that was a half-cylinder and just the right dimensions for the seat bottom. I placed the memory foam down on the frame and then just installed the seat bottom over it.

I'm keeping this in the seat for now as it makes seat time easier for me :-)

Did you take the factory foam out of the seat first or just put the memory foam under the factory stuff?