Seat Swapping

[Telf 224 2 Cars]

Hi all

 

Ive managed to get a set of front seats to replace my old worn out pair.(for a 205GTI-they are the red/black 1/2 leather type)

 

I would like to swap the drivers for the passengers but ive hit a snag and im hoping someone can help!

 

Basically Ive removed the bottom frame of the seat and now need to swap the reclining mechanism handle over-- but im not sure how. Ive removed the plastic cap --do i now have to remove the whole mechanism eg the bar that runs through the seat or does the metal part of the winder detach from the bar that runs through the seat?

 

Any help would be greatly received.

 

also is it possible to remove the bottom half of the seat from the top-- my original passenger seat bottom is in better conditon than the replacement (bolsters etc)

 

 

thanks

Edited May 8, 2012 by Telf

[allye 530 3 Cars]

If you are using a passenger seat for a drivers then the reclining wheel will be on the wrong side, no way of changing it I'm afraid, you'll need to ditch the plastic side cover and bend out slightly the tilt mechanism lever to clear said recliner wheel.

[Telf 224 2 Cars]

Hi Allye and thanks for the reply,

 

 

I thought it might be the case that it cant be changed over, having said that has anybody ever tried stripping the seat down to do it? Im sort of tempted because i have 4 seats so have a little room to try it.

 

Otherwise maybe I could de skin the seat of it cover and bolsters to replace the bad bits --has any body tried this?

 

I dont really want the seats to 'look ' wrong as im slowly trying to return the car to a good state of repair.

 

Thanks

[stufarri 98 3 Cars]

Yes I have done many seats and swapped my passenger for my drivers seat a few months ago to even out the wear. I was fitting heated seats and re-doing the bolsters at the same time too.

 

A fiddly job, the 1st time it took 5hrs plus per seat but after a few I can do this in 1.5-2hrs per seat.

 

You will need to remove about 50 hog-ring copper clips and then I use mini tie-wraps to re-fix.

 

It's really complex to explain on a forum but if you do fancy trying this you could always PM me if you get stuck.

 

Pity you are not closer as I could have helped you out - but 200 miles is a along way to travel!

Edited May 8, 2012 by stufarri

[MiniGibbo 142]

I done the same earlier in the year, you need one of these in your life

 

 

And it'll be easy to bend it out like so

 

[stufarri 98 3 Cars]

Looks far better if you do a proper job and swap the seats covers over though.

[MiniGibbo 142]

It looks no different.. And it's not the covers it's the saggy bolsters at fault.

[Telf 224 2 Cars]

ok thanks for the advice guys,

 

im going to take this nice and slow - Stu if i get stuck i will PM you (although it may be afew weeks!)

 

thanks all

[CCollier300571 1]

Im in the middle of doing this job. Bought a pair of seats. The drivers seat is trash but swapping the swab over from the passenger side to my drivers side. The only problem ive got is how to clean, treat and preserve to leather as its seen better days. So if anyone has any ideal products to use then please post

[stufarri 98 3 Cars]

Gliptone is the best stuff by far - Google it - they do colour washes for leather and creams to make it supple too.