Changing Seat Cushion Foam Question
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 292
Likes: 10
Changing Seat Cushion Foam Question
I looked at vetteessentials install instructions. I'm still a bit confused. I bought two seat foam replacements ($45ea) and didn't buy anything else. So my question is can I change the seat cushions foam without removing the seat from the car??? Anyone done this?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 33
From: somewhere in New Hampshire
I replaced my foam and installed new leather covers this past winter. I think it would be near impossible to do it without removing the seats from the car. I used the instructions from vette essentials, although it looks intimidating it really isn't that bad once you get going. The most difficult part of the installation for me was removing the seats so I can understand why you would want to avoid that. There's an electrical connection under the seat that was a real pain to disconnect, this is the one coming up from the carpet. The connections on the side of the seat were easy.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
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From: The Sunshine State
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I would pull them from the car. Be careful and cover up the door jam area with blankets/towels to make sure you don't scratch anything.
I would also suggest while you're at it, to go ahead and perform the rocking seat fix if you haven't already done so. Even if it's not rockin', it will eventually.
I plan to do it this winter when I install the soundproofing and add new skins.
I would also suggest while you're at it, to go ahead and perform the rocking seat fix if you haven't already done so. Even if it's not rockin', it will eventually.
I plan to do it this winter when I install the soundproofing and add new skins.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,736
Likes: 7
From: Redding CA
to add, it's really not that bad. just print those instructions and lay out a big blanket inside your house..
Took me like 2 hours the first time I did one to re do my complete drivers side C5 seat. Now, I bought the cover used...this probably made it a little easier cause it was already "stretched" out..nevermind...yours is too, you're just changing foam right?
If so, piece of cake. If not and you're changing the cover...get it warm first. leave it in the sun for a couple hours, heat it up with a heat gun on super low heat from far enough away to where there is no change of burning the material..heat from the back side if using a heat gun/hair dryer etc..
Took me like 2 hours the first time I did one to re do my complete drivers side C5 seat. Now, I bought the cover used...this probably made it a little easier cause it was already "stretched" out..nevermind...yours is too, you're just changing foam right?
If so, piece of cake. If not and you're changing the cover...get it warm first. leave it in the sun for a couple hours, heat it up with a heat gun on super low heat from far enough away to where there is no change of burning the material..heat from the back side if using a heat gun/hair dryer etc..
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 215
Likes: 2
From: Brighton MI
I would pull them from the car. Be careful and cover up the door jam area with blankets/towels to make sure you don't scratch anything.
I would also suggest while you're at it, to go ahead and perform the rocking seat fix if you haven't already done so. Even if it's not rockin', it will eventually.
I plan to do it this winter when I install the soundproofing and add new skins.
I would also suggest while you're at it, to go ahead and perform the rocking seat fix if you haven't already done so. Even if it's not rockin', it will eventually.
I plan to do it this winter when I install the soundproofing and add new skins.
Good advice
Last edited by atlas094; Jul 23, 2010 at 08:00 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 4,628
Likes: 397
From: Madison Wi
I did exactly this last winter.
Remove both seats from the car. Follow the instructions from VE.
Also do the rocking seat fix while the seats are out.
One thing I did that was not in the instructions was install a square of rubber mat between the foam and the metal wire springs. I did this to correct the problem of the wire seat springs cutting into the foam. I cut up one of my wife's old yoga mats. It's a really dense strong material.
Remove both seats from the car. Follow the instructions from VE.
Also do the rocking seat fix while the seats are out.
One thing I did that was not in the instructions was install a square of rubber mat between the foam and the metal wire springs. I did this to correct the problem of the wire seat springs cutting into the foam. I cut up one of my wife's old yoga mats. It's a really dense strong material.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 30,055
Likes: 351
From: Big Red Ne
Remove the seats! It is no big deal.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 3,328
Likes: 40
From: Orangevale California
St. Jude Donor '10
Only thing different I'd advise would be to do it this time of year. In the winter, the leather will be much less pliable.
I have done this job on a different make car and found it to be pretty straight forward. Having nice, warm, buttery-soft material to work with made it easier to get back over the foam.
I have done this job on a different make car and found it to be pretty straight forward. Having nice, warm, buttery-soft material to work with made it easier to get back over the foam.
