Seat Problem

[Peter T]

Hi, I had been wondering the last few weeks why my right leg was feeling numb after a drive in my 1991 940 SE Estate. (The problem might actually have been there longer, just got worse recently.) Finally yesterday I wondered if it was the seat worn out rather than me! Prodding the seat, I found what feels like a spring which has escaped its pocket, and then presumably worked its way through a foam cushion. As it is somewhere in the buttock region, I think it may well be the cause.

Does anyone have experience of rectifying this kind of problem? I imagine I will need to get a secondhand driver's seat, but maybe repair is a possibility?

Regards
Peter

[ivor940]

Hi, If you are replacing the cushions, use ones from the passenger seats of the donor car as they are likely to be less worn than the driver ones.

ivor940

[Peter T]

I have had the seat out of the car. The spring turns out to be part of what I take to be the seat thermostat assembly - its function seems to be to keep the sensor close to the surface of the seat. I have put the seat back without this assembly, and left the heater disconnected. I will have to drive a while and see if I am more comfortable.

I wonder if some padding has disintigrated. Can anyone comment?

[ivor940]

Hi Peter, what miles are on the car? Also have you checked which of the 3 forward and 3 rear seat height adjusters are at. If you were used to a particular seat height and someone adjusted the seat to a different one, the seat could seem uncomfortable.

ivor940

[Peter T]

The car has 201,000 miles; I have had it since approx 39,000 miles.

My wife uses the car occasionally and has to alter the seat position. After this, it can sometimes be that no seat position feels like it did before, and it takes a bit of trial and error until a comfortable position is found. Just seems to be worse this time. When I do find a comfortable position, I think I will have to try marking the mechanism.

Initial thoughts are that removing the spring has made no difference.

Peter

[ivor940]

Hi Peter, I think the cushions would be worn at that milage. Is the passenger seat comfortable ? I know it is not easily height adjustable, but this is just for comparison. It can happen on the seat cushions that the foam splits and lets the hard seat structure be felt by the person sitting on the seat. The next thing I would do is dismantle the drivers seat and inspect the foam cushion. It is also possible that a part of the seat structure has cracked but usually this is accompanied by creaking sounds from the seat.

ivor940

[Peter T]

Thanks, ivor940. Now I know what to look for, the driver's seat cushion is definitely compacted compared to the passenger one.

Later in May I should be a passenger in the car, and hopefully will be able to answer your question about comfort then.

The Haynes manual gives instructions on removing the upholstery from the cushion, which include sliding out two rods - easy - and cutting the 4 or 5 rings on each side, replacing by new rings on re-assembly. Does anyone know a source of supply for these rings, and is any special tool required to insert the new rings ?

Thanks
Peter

[ivor940]

Hi Peter, They are available from some large DIY stores or possibly e-bay. I purchased the pliers from a French DIY store last year. The clips come in lengths ( like large staples). The pliers holds the new clip and it curves the clip around the fabric / wire as you close pliers. The pliers and clips may also be available from Wire Fence suppliers or Car Upholstery suppliers. You can also use small tie-wraps instead. Link below shows a simple version of pliers.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hog-R...spagenameZWDVW

ivor940