Seat seam separating - best solution?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 252
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From: FL.
Seat seam separating - best solution?
I have the sport seats and the stitch is starting to separate on the side of the seat where the top of side bolster is stitched to the upper part. It is not torn, but you can see the stitch has pulled and the white backing is showing. It is just a matter of time. My standard warranty is over and the GMPP Extended Warranty does not cover apholstry.
Does the Upper seat cover need to be replaced or can it be removed and restitched? I'm not sure if it would be much cheaper. The dealer wants $152 for a new upper cover and $94 to install it. If it needs new foam, that's another $43.
Thanks for any input.
Does the Upper seat cover need to be replaced or can it be removed and restitched? I'm not sure if it would be much cheaper. The dealer wants $152 for a new upper cover and $94 to install it. If it needs new foam, that's another $43.
Thanks for any input.
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Tech Contributor
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From: Anthony TX
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The tech in the dealer ships (in my opinion) SUCK at upholstry work, If you purchase a new cover they will just put it on! TRUST ME, I've been there! My seat cover looked like it was installed by a 6yr old!! 
They had to install three seat covers before I decided to live with the result!!! 
It still looks like CRAP!
Take your car to a good auto upholstry shop and let them fix the problem. My 98 coupe had the same problem and the dealer sub contracted the problem to a place called Andy's Trim.
When I got it back, the seat looked better than new!!! On my 02 Z06 the dealer installed the new cover for the SAME reason that you are complaining about. VERY POOR WORKMAN SHIP!!!
They had to install three seat covers before I decided to live with the result!!! It still looks like CRAP! Take your car to a good auto upholstry shop and let them fix the problem. My 98 coupe had the same problem and the dealer sub contracted the problem to a place called Andy's Trim.
When I got it back, the seat looked better than new!!! On my 02 Z06 the dealer installed the new cover for the SAME reason that you are complaining about. VERY POOR WORKMAN SHIP!!!
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Colorful Colorado
Yep, take it to an upholstery shop. The one thing about re-stitching is that the stitches are in holes that are permanent in the leather. The leather doesn't close up if the stitch is removed. If one is careless using a sewing machine and the new holes are between the old holes, you will have a seat that is very much like perforated paper and will eventually tear out completely. The best fix is good old needle and thread and by hand so that the old holes are used for the new thread. I would suspect that the shop will remove more stitches that are pulling free and secure off the excess thread they create, then will sew the removed portion back in and tie it off as well.
I know this cause I used to watch my grandfather upholster many cars, chairs, etc. You name it he would/could recover or repair it.
I know this cause I used to watch my grandfather upholster many cars, chairs, etc. You name it he would/could recover or repair it.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: San Francisco CA
In general, the dealer usually hires somebody else to do the non-mechanical work; therefore, you can always ask the service rep who would do that type of work for them. If he does not tell you then you can proceed and find a car shop that restores classic cars. I bet you it will be cheaper. If not, just buy a set of car seats.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Wentzville, MO.
VE interior would be the way to go if you got the change $$$
If your like me cheap go to the VE website and look at the seat skin install, then remove your skin, take it to a shop and have them repair..... reinstall it yourself.....
If your like me cheap go to the VE website and look at the seat skin install, then remove your skin, take it to a shop and have them repair..... reinstall it yourself.....
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Since it is not covered by any warranty, find yourself a quality upholstery shop and have them perform the repair. They shold be able to restitch the cover to where it looks like new. Best of luck. They can also tell you whether it would be best to get a new cover or not.
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From: ~The DARKSIDE Group~
Take it to a reputable upholstery shop for repair. Had same problem with mine, I was using the bolster as a prop for my left hand to shove my old butt out of the car. Did the same in my C4 for year with no problem. I learned my lesson and don't do that any more in the C5.
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From: Vancouver
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I'll bet you could do it yourself. Really it's not that hard. You have to take the cover off that's the hard part. Then get some polyester thread of the same color they used. It doesn't have to match exactly just close. And since all the holes are there re-stitch the area. You can do it and if you fail take it to an upholstery shop and let them complete it. No harm done. Give it a shot and keep us posted.
Safety Car
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From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by blacksedan87
I've got two words for you......Vette Essentials!
I just ordered new covers from Ken, but then he's a lttle moreexpensive than the dealers pricing but looks a WHOLE lot better!
Seriously, that pricing sounds reasonable to me, I'd probably go with it.
The auto upholstry shop sounds like a good idea too! Good luck!
Last edited by Vetteran; Mar 9, 2005 at 10:31 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 252
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From: FL.
Thanks for replies. The service rep and I have built up a pretty good relationship and he did tell me that they have a local upholstery shop do the work and even gave me the name. He said he not think I would need new foam, but we could not be sure until we took off the cover.
I may check out how to remove it and try it myself. I've never considered it as I have no experience at all with interiors.
I checked out Vette Essentials and they have some awesome looking stuff, but I prefer the plain black original interior and don't want to put that much money into it when I can get an original one for much less.
Thanks again.
I may check out how to remove it and try it myself. I've never considered it as I have no experience at all with interiors.
I checked out Vette Essentials and they have some awesome looking stuff, but I prefer the plain black original interior and don't want to put that much money into it when I can get an original one for much less.
Thanks again.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 252
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From: FL.
I called Chevrolet Customer Service and made a request for them to cover the repair even though the car was out of warranty. I got a call back the next day and after they contacted the dealer that does all my work, they offered to split the cost with me 50/50. I was satisfied with that as I did notice I have been doing what someone else mentioned. I put my hand on the side of the seat to lower myself in the car which obviously is pulling the seam apart. Bad place to put a seam.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Austin, Texas
Originally Posted by Un4given
I put my hand on the side of the seat to lower myself in the car which obviously is pulling the seam apart. Bad place to put a seam.
Works great for me
Safety Car
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From: Manchester - Political correctness is tyranny with manners.
Just had a local upholestery shop rebuild our drivers seat ('98 with70K) for $100. New seat foam, upper and lower bolster foam on the door side. Looks and feels great. It'll do, until we can get the seats that we really want...V.E. 
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2004
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You can do this your self its very easy. Just zips together around headrest then the center comes out with 4 plastic hole plugs then the seat back and side bolster cover comes off with two plastic hole plugs. A new oe seat cover from the dealer are around 150 for the sport seats and the inner foam is around 58. I did both of mine cause the seat foam had split at the bolsters.
