CRG Discussion Forum
Camaro Research Group Discussion => Restoration => Topic started by: 68Zproject on August 21, 2011, 06:09:38 AM
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Anyone had any luck with certain brands and/or vendors for the seat foam and/or springs? My original foam is breaking down badly and making a mess under the seat all the time. The drivers seat also sits right on the floor and I took it out to see if anything was up. I noticed the two side springs were broken and I see there is a repair kit for just that. Also, the seat on the drivers side leans back to far. I've shimmed the bumper and latch, but does anyone know offhand what cause it? Is something broken in the seat back too?
Thanks.
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Are all of us sitting on old foam and broken springs?
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I am, and I'm looking forward to many replies to this thread! Somebody help us out.
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I was looking at Rick's (which I don't want to do business with) and they have the Cactus foam. I don't know if that's good or bad, if it's better to use the side spring repair kit or get a whole new seat spring and who has the best at the best price.
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I was hoping someone would start a topic on seats. I thought it was just me. I put new foam and covers on two years ago (before I found this site). I ordered them through Classic Industries. Looking back I am sure there are much better suppliers and I'm curious to find out which ones (including springs, etc.) are recommended by CRG.
I was dumb founded by what I thought were poor quality springs. Maybe their just plain worn out. I'd sure like to sit on a newly condition set of buckets to see what they should feel like.
I know this is a dumb question but here goes...Are both buckets (frame work) suppose to be identical? I have a feeling Mr. previous owner/restorer helped himself to these as well. If they aren't, I retract this statement ;D.
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I got mine from Legendary Interiors along with my seat covers and door panels. Everything I got from them seems to be good quality,fit and color. Here's their site.
http://www.legendaryautointeriors.com/
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I had my black/houndstooth buckets recovered and found the PUI covers were less than satisfactory in workmanship. The seams were too crooked to be fit properly by the interior shop. I ended up asking them to use some of the PUI cover pieces and some of the original GM pieces to get a satisfactory fit. The foam I used was the more expensive style with the wires moulded inside but I can't remember the vendor. The foam was VERY thick - maybe a little too thick?
Al Knoch has a very good reputation on seat covers and he is the guy I would buy from next time I need covers or foam. I wish I had bought from him the first time.
-Mark.
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I did a pair of Nova buckets. They were a mess once I tore into them. Had to weld the frames where the springs wore the holes through. I shopped Camaro's and Classic's and was happy with them. The seats came out nice but was about a grand a pair when it was all said and done.
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Also, the seat on the drivers side leans back to far. I've shimmed the bumper and latch, but does anyone know offhand what cause it? Is something broken in the seat back too?
Thanks.
How about this? Is there something in the seat back that can break too?
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I see you said "you shimmed the bumper, is the actual stop screw still in place on the other side? Usually that screw and the bumper can be adjusted/shimmed to correct the seatback tilt. I have seen seatbacks broken in the area of the transition from the full upper to the the side frames. You may be able to pull the back off and look in the upper sections to check for this, but it usually won't make the seatback lean back, if cracked in this area. Really sounds like the stop adjustment, or the support section for the stop and bumper are cracked/slightly crushed down from 40+ years.
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The bumpers and stops are both there. Compared to the passenger seat, the driver's seat is way back. I shimmed it up so much that it won't latch and that's why I was wondering if there is something that breaks to make it go so far back.
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I had Al Knoch do our orig. door panels, buckets, and rear seat for our 68 Z/28 restoration. IMO they are getting it correct dead on. Glass beaded the springs, restored the seat backs, etc..... My friend who has a restoration shop was so impressed with the quality he gave them his entire interior for his 69Z. Posted pics of our 68's interior where I have a thread on it's restoration. http://www.camaros.net/forums/showthread.php?t=182584&page=23
Also doing, again just my honest opinion, some great recovering on 68 dash pads. Just gave them a dash pad out of a 69 Firebird that is similar to the 68 Camaro. Great quality and great value for your buck.
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I had bought a new seat bottom springs and new cushions and had a local guy install them, I have to say they look good BUT the driver side does not match the passengers side ?? never thought about that and was at least 10 yerars ago- car has been sitting - I wonder if after use it may take a better set to match pass side whick I think looks normal
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I guess I'll wait until I get the seats out and take them apart before I order anything. I did take out the drivers seat and saw the side springs were both broken. I read a bunch of threads on this at TC and the backs break in a certain spot and that's probably what is wrong with the drivers seat. It was recommend to do (weld) both sides as the passenger side breaking is just a matter of time. I was thinking about getting the foam from Al Knoch. Anyone else concur with him?
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Well, I ordered the foam and side spring repair from Al Knoch and they look great. To update, I found what was making my seat back tilt back farther than the passenger side.
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/68zproject/IMG_0425.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/68zproject/IMG_0424.jpg)
(http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w112/68zproject/IMG_0423.jpg)
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I've heard of stuff like that. Also, the back's pivit bolt/stud being torn out of the bottom frame.
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From the looks of it, looks like that part is spot welded (2nd pic).
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Just saw this. I recovered my standard interior drivers seat last year. I used foam from Ricks (which was from classic mustang I think). The PUI covers went on OK, but the pleats do not match the originals. Going to redo with Legendary when I have some $$. I had to use cotton batting to puff up the bolsters a bit for a better fit. I also had the lean, but my frame was good. comparing it to the pass side, what is happening is the metal arms on the back start to bow outward over time and that leans the back (back). I pounded them straighter (comparing to the pass side as I went along). Once the curve of the arms matched, the lean was fixed. I also used jute carpet underlay for the layer ontop of the springs instead of the burlap (and burlap with springs). It holds the top of the springs much better and is a stronger foundation to lay the foam onto. the only issue is it is thicker to push the hog rings into. my .02
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So I know the purists will kill me but an outfit called TMI makes a "sport seat" modification that uses the original frames and gives you an actual comfortable seat. I have not done it in my car yet but I plan on getting a new set of seat frames and turning them into the sport seats so I can retain my originals for show and also have the sport seats for travel. None of the original 69 seat bottoms I have had over the years are very supportive when rebuilt to stock configuration.
Also for anyone interested, there is a seat rail extender you can get to attach that will give you an extra 2 inches of leg room for either the driver or passenger or both. They are an original part you could get installed at a dealer in 1969 and are available from Performance Years INC for $59.00 a set. Well worth it if you are over 6 feet tall. (I am 6'5" and the extra leg room really makes a difference in my 69)