The $40 fix for broken side bolsters [pics]
#41
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: N E area of state Kansas
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did my lumbar this way in the walmart parking lot, worked nice!! I just used the fitting on the end of the long hose to attach to my old air line, sealed and worked great! Probably should go back in and shorten the hose as I have plent of it tucked in there, lol.
#44
Intermediate
Many thanks for the great write-up!
Just finished replacing ALL the bladders on both seats; didn't know what I was missing, and saving a thousand bucks sure is a bonus!
One more piece of perhaps useful information: I removed the metal cuff loop, and trimmed the cuffs approx. 1/4" past the actual bladder inside. Now - the cuffs still have to be folder/rolled up to approximate the original bladder size, but they won't stay folded or rolled up very long in the lumbar support positions - and obviously they still have to expand and contract. My answer was to put the folded cuff in an old sock! The use of some adhesive-backed hook-and-loop (Velcro) fastener strips then kept the sock with it's bladder payload in place.
Just finished replacing ALL the bladders on both seats; didn't know what I was missing, and saving a thousand bucks sure is a bonus!
One more piece of perhaps useful information: I removed the metal cuff loop, and trimmed the cuffs approx. 1/4" past the actual bladder inside. Now - the cuffs still have to be folder/rolled up to approximate the original bladder size, but they won't stay folded or rolled up very long in the lumbar support positions - and obviously they still have to expand and contract. My answer was to put the folded cuff in an old sock! The use of some adhesive-backed hook-and-loop (Velcro) fastener strips then kept the sock with it's bladder payload in place.
#45
Burning Brakes
Member Since: Oct 2007
Location: N E area of state Kansas
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it will leak overtime if u don't use a diffrent fitting like the op said. However, with the cuffs from walmart there is a straight fitting in there. Just pull off the excess hose, and the t-fitting and u can use the straight one. It fits right into the old air hose in the seat. To get them to stay where they are supposed too, I cut off the plastic tab so there is just a hole in the plastic. U can then use the velcro in the cuff to attach to itself through that hole. It does not feel like a strong attachment, but it only has to keep it in place, as the seat being zipped back up will hold it where it is supposed to be. I have been problem free since using this fix. I now have it in both my seats. I tried it in the side support, and I found the cuff was too big for personal taste. I would like to try to find a pediatric cuff for that application.
#46
Intermediate
Right next to the recommended cuffs on the shelf at Walmart, I found a "manual" blood pressure kit - this kit has a smaller cuff, at the same $9.95 price for the whole kit.
The kit also contains a pressure gauge and inflator bulb, both of which can be discarded, and the cuff can be cut down even more by carefully snipping around the bladder area. Only problem is that the cuff has TWO hose attachments (one for the bulb and one for the gauge), one of which then has to be plugged.
Much better fit in the side bolster application - only used one fold.
The kit also contains a pressure gauge and inflator bulb, both of which can be discarded, and the cuff can be cut down even more by carefully snipping around the bladder area. Only problem is that the cuff has TWO hose attachments (one for the bulb and one for the gauge), one of which then has to be plugged.
Much better fit in the side bolster application - only used one fold.
#47
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Right next to the recommended cuffs on the shelf at Walmart, I found a "manual" blood pressure kit - this kit has a smaller cuff, at the same $9.95 price for the whole kit.
The kit also contains a pressure gauge and inflator bulb, both of which can be discarded, and the cuff can be cut down even more by carefully snipping around the bladder area. Only problem is that the cuff has TWO hose attachments (one for the bulb and one for the gauge), one of which then has to be plugged.
Much better fit in the side bolster application - only used one fold.
The kit also contains a pressure gauge and inflator bulb, both of which can be discarded, and the cuff can be cut down even more by carefully snipping around the bladder area. Only problem is that the cuff has TWO hose attachments (one for the bulb and one for the gauge), one of which then has to be plugged.
Much better fit in the side bolster application - only used one fold.
#49
Instructor
Another fixed lumbar
Just finished repairing the drivers seat using the Walmart kit (~$10) that has the stethoscope, bulb pump, press gauge, and of course the cuff. After looking at both cuffs at Walmart and comparing them to the original bladders, I'm thinking the kits are the way to go. I'll try and upload a couple of pics when I figure out how to do it.
Last edited by zz28zz; 05-13-2009 at 04:18 PM.
#50
Cruising
Member Since: Jul 2002
Location: beulaville nc
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Used the large ones on the back and the small ones with the stethoscope on the sides
duct tape was there to hold them up, i used a little rtv sealant on the backs
duct tape was there to hold them up, i used a little rtv sealant on the backs
Last edited by D3kennedy; 08-04-2009 at 10:59 PM.
#54
That is awesome! I love how some of you guys think! Not all of you mind you but at least some.
So having never done this before...how much extra room is in the seatback and bolsters? I am wondering if you could put more cuffs in there for added support or in differing locations?
Or does one cuff pretty much fill up the void?
Mike
So having never done this before...how much extra room is in the seatback and bolsters? I am wondering if you could put more cuffs in there for added support or in differing locations?
Or does one cuff pretty much fill up the void?
Mike