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C7 Lumbar bladder replacement

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Old May 23, 2026 | 04:09 PM
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Default C7 Lumbar bladder replacement

I am replacing the lumbar bladder on my C7 competition driver seat because it leaks and only lasts about 5 minutes. I found the replacement part and have it with me. I have the seat apart down to removing the bladder and bladder frame assembly. However, the bladder frame is attached to the seat with a fastener I've never seen. It appears to be some type of rivet or special fastener. Any knowledge/experience (not guesses) what this is and where to get 4? Or should I figure out a replacement fastener?


I added a penny for size reference in the first pic.


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Old May 23, 2026 | 04:37 PM
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Originally Posted by ChopperDan64
I am replacing the lumbar bladder on my C7 competition driver seat because it leaks and only lasts about 5 minutes. I found the replacement part and have it with me. I have the seat apart down to removing the bladder and bladder frame assembly. However, the bladder frame is attached to the seat with a fastener I've never seen. It appears to be some type of rivet or special fastener. Any knowledge/experience (not guesses) what this is and where to get 4? Or should I figure out a replacement fastener?


I added a penny for size reference in the first pic.

McMaster Carr has just about every fastener known to mankind. There website is second to none. All you need to do is drill one out, measure, and search their website.

Best of luck

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Old May 24, 2026 | 08:54 AM
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They look like they can be removed and reinstalled. Push on retainers.
Sorry, not really a guess, that's just what they look like.

Last edited by kodpkd; May 24, 2026 at 08:55 AM.
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Old May 24, 2026 | 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by kodpkd
They look like they can be removed and reinstalled. Push on retainers.
Sorry, not really a guess, that's just what they look like.
I was thinking the same thing.
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Old May 24, 2026 | 06:08 PM
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I looked on YouTube for a video about replacing the lumbar portion of the seat in a C7, but all I could find was a guy that goes into a lot of detail about doing the same thing to a C5. He also custom makes parts for the seat. it’s about 22 minutes long and it might be worth a watch.

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Old Today | 05:22 PM
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according to the GM service manual there are 4 rivets that need to be drilled out to replace that bladder. (item 2 on the picture).

I could not find any part number reference for them in the shop manual. if it were me I would go to a dealer parts department and have them look them up, sometimes they have good breakdowns of parts needed like this. or you could probably get by by buying some properly sized pop rivets and using them.

Last edited by raisinjack; Today at 05:28 PM.
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