mcgilles

So I finally fixed my broken side bolsters today. Took $40 and about 30 minutes. This was a very easy fix! I Can't take credit for the idea, I got it from another forum member. I can't remember if pics were posted earlier, if not here are a few!

Parts needed:
Blood pressure cuffs, one for each bladder to be repalced. 2 per seat for side bolsters, 2 per seat for lumbar support. I got 4 to do both side bolsters in both seats. They can be found at Walmart, they will usually have some on the shelf. If not here's the link http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5533954
Vacuum tight tube couplers, one for each bladder 3/8" to 3/8" is just the right size. I got these at Advance Auto.

here are the parts:



These are extra large blood pressure cuffs which I got for about $10 each from Walmart. They turned out to be about 4 times the size of the bladders but worked perfectly. Smaller cuffs might be easier to stuff into the bolsters though. These are replacement cuffs only so they don't have regulators or pumps, just the part you need. As it turns out they have a T fitting about 2" down the air tube, pop that fitting off and its ready to be used. The T fitting actually would work great for connecting it to the side bolster air lines, but you'd have to plug the 3rd opening.






You don't have to take the seats out, just fold down the center section. There are instructions on vettessentials web site I think. Pull the zipper out from between the seat cushions and use needle nose pliers to unzip it. Then pop out the 2 plastic clips and fold the center section down. Then there are 4 more plastic clips to remove to gain access to the side bolsters.





Once you have this apart and start looking at the bladders you'll quickly find the problem:



There are plastic elbows which connect the air lines up to the bladders. The air lines are fine, the pump works great, the bladder itself holds air, but these stupid little fittings rot out and break off. from what I've heard I think this is the cause of almost all seat bladder failures.

Cut off the remains of the broken fitting



Pull the bladder out of the seat, they are stuffed up under the side bolsters but easy to remove.

Connect the blood pressure cuff up to the air line using the 3/8" to 3/8" vacuum tight fitting. I'm using a 3/8" - 3/8" T fitting with a 1/8" 3rd connection with a plug on that extra line. This is just because I happen to have them sitting around, find a 3/8" to 3/8" air fitting when buying the parts.



Then just wrap the blood pressure cuff up and stuff it under the side bolster where the factory bladder is. I did not secure it in any way, the seat itself will hold it in place.

Put the seat back together and enjoy having your side bolsters back! My car came with them broken so its the first time I've gotten to enjoy them. I don't know what made me wait so long to do this, it was very easy and took about 30 minutes!

CUlookin

Wow, cool idea to fix these! What was your BP when you did the mod, or were you too excited to check?

jdmvette

damn cool idea!

double-oh-coupe

Thanks for posting this! Mine have been broken for a few years and I just couldn't bring myself to pay the $$$ for new bladders. I'll put this on my to-do list for the Vette! Many thanks.

jrose7004

That's creative!

jrprich

Nice work !

I always planned to use aftermarket rubber lumbar bladders if my OEM ones were to die. But this is cheaper yet !

Vetteman Jack

Great idea and a nice writeup to boot.

Z28Johnny

Nice post! I don't think Z06's have those do they?

ALLEGRO

Isn't this place GREAT ?!

rpm462

Great info, thanks for the write-up!

DeeGee

What an amazing idea and thanks for posting

That's one that comes up regularly so I'm sure you'll help out quite a few members with that suggestion.

One for the archive

tstar

Great write up and idea!

Carcass

Great example of thinking "outside the box"!
Nice write-up also -mine aren't broken yet,but at 11 yrs old,I'm sure it's only a matter of time.
And now I'm ready for them when they decide to give it up!
Excellent Idea-Thanks for sharing

foundvettelifeisgood

Very cool, but why not just replace the fitting if the bladders are good?

Also, any idea where the lumbar bladders are located? Are they in the middle cushion or behind it? Anyone have a schematic?

mcgilles

I tried that first, the problem is you can't find anything that will replace the fitting. plus its glued into the bladder itself, pretty much impossible to fix.

the lumbar support bladders are right on the back of the seat right behind the center section, there are two since we have an upper and a lower. the side bolster bladders are hidden under the side bolsters of the seat even when you take the center section out. pull the side bolsters out and reach in and grab them, they come back out pretty easily.

looking at the bladders I'm surprised that they aren't the point of failure. they are made of plastic probably a couple times thicker than your average zip-lock bag. the blood pressure cuff is much more sturdy and I expect them to last forever.

csexton

Great write up and bookmarked

Chuck

Old Rotor Head

I'll be using this.

DRKMATTER

Congrats, you just found your way onto my subscriptions list for future repairs!

Thanks for posting and good job!

vmaquera

Thanks

You are my Corvette Hero of the week

robsc501

Hi There:
Nice pictures & a good post.You are a honest dude.Maddog400 posted how to do the lumbar bladder fix on 1/24/09 at 755 pm. He did not know how to post pictures.That's where you got the idea from.
robsc501