Seats.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
Seats.
I have a quick question for the interior guys. I am redoing my seats and they didn't have all the wave rods in them. Has anyone used something else or modified something else to use in their place?
Maybe bending some welding rod or something else.
Thanks
Maybe bending some welding rod or something else.
Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Those wave rods are hardened...like springs. You can't just stick any mild steel wire in there for them. The aftermarket suppliers should have them for sale. Or you could get them at some Corvette swap meets or used part places.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,740
Likes: 3
From: Aurora Ontario
http://willcoxcorvette.com/product_i...ducts_id=24477
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
I have the seat install kit. To be sure I wasn't missing something. I checked the boxes again as I haven't begun to attack that portion as of yet.
In the install kit, there are no wave rods, as a matter of fact, I have one wave rod, and there are no rods in the pack that are the same length as the one that I do have.
Is there a larger install kit? I didn't need hog rings as I use them in the shop on a regular basis and have a small bucket of them on hand.
In the install kit, there are no wave rods, as a matter of fact, I have one wave rod, and there are no rods in the pack that are the same length as the one that I do have.
Is there a larger install kit? I didn't need hog rings as I use them in the shop on a regular basis and have a small bucket of them on hand.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,274
Likes: 4,366
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi Frank,
Al Knock has a video that shows one of his people installing a set of seat covers. It's quite a help.
I found that leaving 1 seat with the old cover still on, so you have it to refer to, as you put the first set on, was a help, too. The bottoms are very easy, the backs are a bit more of a challenge.
Regards,
Alan
Al Knock has a video that shows one of his people installing a set of seat covers. It's quite a help.
I found that leaving 1 seat with the old cover still on, so you have it to refer to, as you put the first set on, was a help, too. The bottoms are very easy, the backs are a bit more of a challenge.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 967
Likes: 109
From: Europe, Germany
Thanks Alan,
looks like the video is not for free, I can't find it on their Webpage ?
But I just found a describtion on the Wilkox page
http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructi...help_70-78.pdf
Not for 69, but I think the difference is not so big
Regards
Frank
looks like the video is not for free, I can't find it on their Webpage ?
But I just found a describtion on the Wilkox page
http://willcoxcorvette.com/instructi...help_70-78.pdf
Not for 69, but I think the difference is not so big
Regards
Frank
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The wave rods in the seat bottoms and backs are springs. Back shown, bottoms are similar.
You need a replacement seat spring.
Upholstery bails and listing wires which are in the upholstery installation kit hold the upholstery material to the springs and seat frames.
You need a replacement seat spring.
Upholstery bails and listing wires which are in the upholstery installation kit hold the upholstery material to the springs and seat frames.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Feb 14, 2011 at 06:15 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
The "wavy rods" are not shown in Easy Mike's photo. They are the wires that the seatcover retainer clips connect to. Eckler's (and many others, I'm sure) sells a "complete" Seat Cover Installation Kit which contains "all the hooks, clips, wires and hog rings you need for a complete installation" [about $35]. Also buy a cheap set of hog ring pliers and the seat cover hook installation tool [$5]; you only need them for 2 seats.
Good luck!
Good luck!
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 6
From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario
I believe the rods in question here are not part of the rebuild kit. At least they were not part of the kit I bought.
Check your old seat covers and reuse the old rods if they are still there.
Good luck!
Check your old seat covers and reuse the old rods if they are still there.
Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 6,422
Likes: 591
From: McHenry Illinois
I had to reuse the originals.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
I have but one as the seats had been changed at least twice. I have the only remaining wave rod. It looks to be about the same hardness as a welding rod.
Wondering if the wave the entire length is needed. In someone's opinion would a wave just where it attaches to other wires be sufficient? I can make one from welding wire.
Wondering if the wave the entire length is needed. In someone's opinion would a wave just where it attaches to other wires be sufficient? I can make one from welding wire.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,352
Likes: 1
From: Westminster Maryland
My kit did not have the wave rods, either. I was able to clean and re-use mine. I would post a wanted ad in the for sale section. I bet there are a bunch of them available from guys on this forum.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
I understand why the wavy rods are wavy... the hog rings lock onto the wave and keep the rods from slipping. They are a royal pain to coax (yank) into place though. Some of mine were so rusted I used a length of old CB radio antenna I had in the shop, and simply crimped the rod a bit where the ring would go with pliers. Easy to install since it was smooth, it was free and is stainless so no more rust.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
When I took the seats apart I found two full sets of seat covers. Out of two sets of seats, I had only one wave rod. Someone must have had a rough day mounting the second set of seats.
