Mustang5l5's Progress Thread - Archived Progress thread '08-'20.

[Mustang5L5]

So I got some weights.

Currrnt 99-04 GT leather seat (no track): 33.5 lbs
99-04 power track :25 lbs

So total weight of my drivers seat is about 59 lbs.


Weight of Recaro without seat mount/sliders: 30.2 lbs.

I imagine seat slider adds 1-2 lbs tops. So o drop 25lbs or so, but sitting lower in the car will also help lower the CG as I'm a 225 lb dude

 

[Mustang5L5]

So I decided to tear into these things a bit. I need to order some parts, but I need to see what exactly I need. I figure you guys would like to see how these come apart too.

These seats are pretty simple really. Nothing complicated about them.

First...the bottom

For the most part these are all the same. Standard 6 mounting holes on the edges, and a rubber/fabric trampoline/diaphragm that supports you. These commonly fail, as you'll see on the other seat.

Mustang Recaros are different. I believe they are Recaro seat backs on Ford bases with Ford tracks. The VW seats with manual tracks are the same way. Recaro back on a VW base. The VW with powe tracks (such as mine) are the standard Recaro bottoms

Here's how the tops separate from the bottom

There's a plastic trim piece that goes here. In typically Mustang 5L5 fashion, I tracked down some NOS VW trim from Germany for a good price actually. Originals will get trashed. But anyway, remove the plastic and you see this. Front pivot has a clip like an E clip (removed in this photo) and when you recline the seat, this is what it pivots on. Rear pivot is the seat recline catch.

Hit the flip foward lever and it releases like this

Should be obvious how they come apart at this point. Remove the clips, spread the bracket apart slightly and off they come

Final result. You can see they are the same on both sides. The aftermarket seats come with tilt releases and recline knobs on both sides for use in RHD and LHD vehicles. On the OEM seats, you only get one. Recline knob is on the inside and flip forward lever on the outside

Seat backs are in great shape and bolsters are solid so I'll likely not take those apart right now. Seat bottoms are a different story. Need to replace one diaphragm and inspect the bolsters and see how many I need to replace. Stay tuned

 

[Mustang5L5]

Got the bottom apart

Here's the diaphragm that's busted. I got a real Recaro replacement on order from Capital Seating in the U.K for $94 shipped.

I could have gone with aftermarket webbing, but but the time i bought the clips and strapping for the different design, i was almost to the cost of the real one.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Center section clips in the front and rear. Just unclip front and peel to the rear

 

[Mustang5L5]

Center seat foam is ok. Might get some spray adhesive and glue some of these cracks back together. Most likely they formed due to the broken diaphragm. With the new diaphragm it should be properly supported, but I'll likely move this one to the passenger side. Less use.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Side bolsters and fabric is attached via listing rods. You can see the tabs holding the rods. Simply unhook the rod and the fabric comes loosE. Rods are on the underside and inside edge

 

[Mustang5L5]

As you'd imagine, both foams are trashed

 

[Mustang5L5]

Bare frame. Solid and in great shape.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Bolster covers. In excellent condition with no wear. Just a little dirty so i washed them. This was after washing one. Kinda want to break the entire seat down and toss it in the washing machine. Unsure if i'll actually do that though.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Didn't touch the uppers. As you can see...they are in excellent shape. This view shows you just how aggressive they bolstering is. Really hugs you

 

[Mustang5L5]

So, here's what I'm up against.

New diaphragm was $90ish shipped. I wanted the correct, original part for this.

Now, foam bolsters from capital seating will run me $150 per seat. That's $300 for both seats.

I hopped on www.thefoamfactory.com and got some pricing on a foam block that will give me enough material to do all 4 for $50 or so shipped. I'd prob get something a little firmer as well.

So, get the correct foam, or try and carve some up.

I got the idea from this guy

View: https://youtu.be/wZKqi1Z3V0Y

 

[Mustang5L5]

Pulled the other seat bottom apart. No surprises there really. One foam good, the other trashed. I still intend to cut 4 new foam bolsters, but having one good gives me a good template to use

And of course, I have to always improve things...even if it will never be seen

 

[Mustang5L5]

Probably one of the last drives of the year. Getting brisk out here

 

[Mustang5L5]

And this is where we will pause on the seats. Both bottoms disassembled. Covering was washed. Painted the bases and now waiting on foam.

Samples should be here this week so I'll pick one and get a block of foam. 24x24x 5 should do all 4

Hoping I can get the seats back together with new foam in a couple weeks.

 

[General karthief]

Is there enough foam in case of mistakes?

 

[Mustang5L5]

Samples are in. Based on my non-scientific pinch test, the middle sample is pretty close to what it is, but right side is slightly firmer. I may go with that.

But to be honest...I'm not fully satisfied with the foam I have here. Still seems to be missing something

 

[Mustang5L5]

Replacement diaphragm from the U.K. Showed up today. Total pita to install. You need to stretch it about 1" to get the clips into the holes. My methods were...crude, but they worked out.

With the original split one

 

[Mustang5L5]

Ended up breaking the seats down all the way. Decided I wanted to wash all the fabric, and I needed to repair the foam on thevseat bottom. Few splits, but not enough to warrant a new foam.

A little 3M super 77 spray adhesive and good as new

Washed the covers. I think this photo is pre wash

Ended up dismantling the top section too. Wanted to inspect the foam and wash the fabric. Everything was good!

Relic of a different time

 

[Mustang5L5]

And back together. These seats dismantle and assemble very easily. Glad I washed them. I know the covers are getting replaced, but it allowed me to fully inspect and repair the seat, and give it a nice clean smell. A LOT of dirt came out of these 30 year old seats.

But here they are awaiting the final part shipping for overseas. Ended up ordering all 4 bolsters new and tossing the good original one of eBay.

Final step is to get my seat sliders and seat mounts. I want to get them mounted in the car and verify they are solid seats before spending $$$$ to recover them.

 

[Mustang5L5]

Wait, you already have black covers on the way?

Yes, i wasn't planning on it but I came across a deal I couldn't pass up. 've been browsing the VW forums for parts and came across someone selling a set of black covers for real cheap. Comes with a single new bolster as well.

The catch? No center inserts


They are basically these covers with red stitching. I just don't have the centers, so I still need to have mine redone