How to keep the seat backs from separating?

[eldusto84]

Arggh. I know many owners have this problem, but I've never heard of a good solution. How do you keep the seat backs from separating from the rest of the seat? I try to shove that useless metal lip on the seat back as hard as possible, but after 5 minutes of driving it droops right back off. An inelegant caveman solution would be to duct tape the backs of the seats, but I'm wondering if anyone has tried something more refined. Thank you!

[thirdmanj]

Arggh. I know many owners have this problem, but I've never heard of a good solution. How do you keep the seat backs from separating from the rest of the seat? I try to shove that useless metal lip on the seat back as hard as possible, but after 5 minutes of driving it droops right back off. An inelegant caveman solution would be to duct tape the backs of the seats, but I'm wondering if anyone has tried something more refined. Thank you!

Make them aluminum! Search "aluminum seat backs". That should get you on the right track.

[WelmoedJ]

Another solution is used for a long time now:
re-inforce the back with two aluminum strips.

From each side one to the top (upside down V form).
DMCH also uses that method.
I somewhere have a picture of that "splinting" of the seat back panel.

If you want that picture, PM me and I'll send it to you.

[jawn101]

Another solution is used for a long time now:
re-inforce the back with two aluminum strips.

From each side one to the top (upside down V form).
DMCH also uses that method.
I somewhere have a picture of that "splinting" of the seat back panel.

If you want that picture, PM me and I'll send it to you.

I tried doing this and it made them too unforgiving - I was worried about puncturing the leather with the stiff metal. I just made brand new backer boards out of slightly thicker masonite board and re-attached the leather skins to them. I also moved the side and top clips ever so slightly closer to the outer edges of the board to hopefully clamp the seat a little tighter. My backs never, ever slip off anymore. Total cost was about $5 and it took a single afternoon.

[eldusto84]

I like the masonite board idea. It will be worth a $5 experiment!

[wrkey]

When someone does the Masonite Board fix, it would be awesome if photos and instructions would be posted in the How To section!

Thanks!

[jawn101]

I like the masonite board idea. It will be worth a $5 experiment!


When someone does the Masonite Board fix, it would be awesome if photos and instructions would be posted in the How To section!

Thanks!

I've got a bunch of pics from when I did mine. It's not much more complicated than taking the staples out of the leather skin, tracing the old board onto a new sheet, cutting it out and sanding it, transferring the side and top mounting brackets to the new board and then stapling the skin on. But I'll post the pics all the same! Watch this space for a link.

[jawn101]

OK, here we go.

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?8442-How-To-Making-new-seat-backs-for-under-20

[dmcnorway]

Welmoed - Please post the picture here :)

Stian Birkeland
Norway



Another solution is used for a long time now:
re-inforce the back with two aluminum strips.

From each side one to the top (upside down V form).
DMCH also uses that method.
I somewhere have a picture of that "splinting" of the seat back panel.

If you want that picture, PM me and I'll send it to you.

[jawn101]

Welmoed - Please post the picture here :)

Stian Birkeland
Norway

I tried this too, but it didn't work well for me. The stiffener was *too* stiff and actually caused the back to pop off more, because it was suddenly more rigid. I'm very pleased with the fix I posted above, especially for the price...

Here are my photos of the attempt with the metal channel strip.

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=22674&d=1382458324

http://dmctalk.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=22673&d=1382458323

Again, I don't like this fix...

[virtualchuck]

I bought an aluminum set from GS450-Junkie and had them installed during the reupholster (Don't know if he has any left?) .. It turned out great and there is no way they'll ever break!

Chuck

[GS450-Junkie]

Hey Thanks Chuck! Yes... I still have a couple sets left and can have some more made if anyone else wants a set.