Q45 seat disassembly

[DrewQ45]

Has anyone ever pulled the driver's seat apart before? How about removing the arm-rest?

Seems like the only viable alternative to shipping an entire seat which is near impossible with conventional shipping methods. I'd love to be able to ship just the cushions and the arm-rest. I've also thought about cutting large swatches of leather off the back seat or elsewhere from a junk Q then using it to reupholster. According to the upholsterers I've spoken with, the high cost is due to the leather.

[lino]

Replacing leather is very expensive. I have much experience with this subject (with another car) and would recommed that you first try to find a parts car Q that has the same interior and buy it, because it will be the cheapest way and no one can match the fit finish and quality of the factory leather. Also, I also suggest that you do not attempt to re-dye the leather if you have considered that oprion.

[DrewQ45]

Replacing leather is very expensive. I have much experience with this subject (with another car) and would recommed that you first try to find a parts car Q that has the same interior and buy it, because it will be the cheapest way and no one can match the fit finish and quality of the factory leather. Also, I also suggest that you do not attempt to re-dye the leather if you have considered that oprion.

Trying to find an early parts Q with driver's seat leather in good condition is near impossible. However, if I could gather up enough leather from the other seats to repair the driver's seat, it might work. I've heard mention of people attempting switching of the seat cusions etc., but I havent heard any success stories. I still wanna know if anyone has ever disassembled a seat.

[Rex]

Trying to find an early parts Q with driver's seat leather in good condition is near impossible. However, if I could gather up enough leather from the other seats to repair the driver's seat, it might work. I've heard mention of people attempting switching of the seat cusions etc., but I havent heard any success stories. I still wanna know if anyone has ever disassembled a seat.

Couldn't the "facing" of the pass seats be swapped onto a drives seat??

Also, there's a thread that mentions this, but most old school hot rodder/car enthusiasts use something that's better than leather (durability and feel) and costs less.

[DrewQ45]

Couldn't the "facing" of the pass seats be swapped onto a drives seat??

Also, there's a thread that mentions this, but most old school hot rodder/car enthusiasts use something that's better than leather (durability and feel) and costs less.

That's what I'm trying to find out Rex. The face/cushion...whatever can be swapped.

Yeah... it's called vinyl.

[Rex]

What I was referring to is called mellohide, it's more durable and can be hard to tell from quality leather.

If you find a pass seat, I think you could cut what you want off of it, and just take your drivers seat and the leather to the upholstery shop. Are you thinking about dis-assembly of the drivers seat in an effort to save more on labor?

[Jesda]

That's what I'm trying to find out Rex. The face/cushion...whatever can be swapped.

Yeah... it's called vinyl.

When I was getting estimates for Mandy 1 an upholstery shop showed me a product called "Allante". Its basically a vinyl that's supposed to breathe like leather. It definitely feels just as nice.
Modified by Jesda at 9:13 AM 3/17/2006

[lino]

..... I still wanna know if anyone has ever disassembled a seat.

I disassembled a seat from another car and still haven't been able to put it back together again. I bought another interior to solve the problem .

What color is your interior?

[Q451990]

Haven't done this on the Q, but the FSM is pretty detailed on this... If you don't have access, let us know and I assume Wes can post the relevant pages.

Heath

[DrewQ45]

Interior is Charcoal gray/Gray or Gray on Black. Just gathering info for the future. My drivers seat has cracks on the vertical bolster that have now become tears. All other seats look mint.

I'm going to check the FSM when I get home as suggested but I can't imagine it would have info on removing the actual cushions... a motor or tracks maybe but not cushions?

[elwesso]

ive taken apart a seat before.. unfortunately the FSM doesnt help much..

You CAN remove the seat back from the seat frame (the bottom), but you cannot remove the frame from insde the seat back.. You can seperate the cusion from the bottom too...

you cannot seperate the leather from the cushion, at least i wasnt able to without destroying it.....

[DrewQ45]

Thanks Wes,

Did you happen to take any pics when you were doing it?

[elwesso]

HAH, the pics probably wouldnt have helped much either..... All that was left when i was done was a TON of bolts, some random metal and some cushy leather..

Heres what will help though.

[elwesso]

to be honest drew, once you remove all the plastic cladding and stuff, its pretty obvious what needs to happen.

[Q45denver]

[QUOTE=linoAlso, I also suggest that you do not attempt to re-dye the leather if you have considered that oprion.[/QUOTE]

You've had some problems re-dying leather?

[DrewQ45]

Thx Wes... as usual you come through.