lumbar and side seat bladders
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2025
Posts: 181
Likes: 21
From: north central Iowa
lumbar and side seat bladders
I'm having trouble with the lumbar and seat side supports on my 1994 sport seats. All motors run as expected, and all plastic hose and connections are in good shape, so I've determined my air bladders inside the seatbacks need replacing. I'm much intimidated at the thought of removing the seat leather to access the bladders and replace correctly. My seats still go back and forth fine, and I'd just live with this, except my driver's side side supports are stuck leaving them at maximum tightness, which squeezes my hips and ribs way too much. It's pretty much intolerable, even for a smaller man like me. Does anyone here have experience with replacing these bladders? I really welcome knowing how it's gone for others. I don't want to wreck my upholstery which is still in original good shape. I've read that it's possible to do this without removing the seats, but that doesn't seem feasible. Any advice, help or reassurance would be so appreciated.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 317
Likes: 98
From: VT
nope, the ones on the sides of the seat bottom. on my '86, left side are bolster and seat tilt switches, right side are lumber inflate/bleed switches. gotta remove the seat bottom to access the connectors for testing.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,190
Likes: 832
From: Chapel Hill NC
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I believe your switches on a 94 are on the console. If the side supports are too tight Im guessing the bladders are good but the issue is with the controls. I was having issues with my bladders in my 96 which I believe is similar to a 94. I found the whole system complicated but there are a number of helpful threads available. Im not exactly certain what I did to get it all working after wiggling, testing, pushing and pulling. Part of my problem was incorrectly connected electrical connections.
I, myself, have replaced seat covers before and the results were not great.
I, myself, have replaced seat covers before and the results were not great.
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Michael S. Palmer
Intermediate
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 38
Likes: 25
From: Northern Virginia
Do you have a source for new bladders for 94-96 sport seats? I was looking for one a couple years ago to get my seats recovered on my 95 sports seats and couldn’t find one. Since then I have found a set of seat with good leather I haven’t installed. I may have the same problem with the replacement seats.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,471
Likes: 43
From: Auburn MA
You probably have the same issue i have with my 94 sport seats, there is a metal bracket that the air blatter sandwiches between and that bracket always pops off the seat frame... you can try that most likely thats the problem.... it is very easy to gain access, un clip the seat bottom and remove it fold the upper seat forward and un zip the back and you will have all the access.