Front seat spring repairs

[jeffc280sl]

Like most of you my front seat bottom feels tired.  I installed new leather and horsehair pads some time ago and that helped but I've not been satisfied.  So today I removed the driver seat from the car and took the leather and horsehair pad off.  Fortunately I do not have any broken springs to contend with.  I took the frame to a small upholstery shop and discussed with the owner what can be done to improve the feel of the seat.

We decided on the following changes:

1) Add lateral steel straps.  As built the seat has steel straps that go from the front to rear of the seat frame.
2) Add two coil springs to the front of the seat.  The original seat has a set serpentine or zig-zag springs that are secured to the rear of the seat frame.  From the rear of the seat these springs are bought forward where they make a 180 degree curl and secured to the lower front seat frame.  My seats have always felt weak in the front where the springs make the 180 degree curl.  The coil springs will be added in the area where the zig-zag springs make the 180 degree curl.
3) A separate square pad will be added to the center rear section of the seat bottom.  This area is also a weak spot in my current seats.
4) Upholstery foam will be added to the seat perimeter to add firmness.
5) A burlap cover will be sewn in over the foam and springs.   

I will post some pics of the mods later this week when the seat frame completes this phase. 

[66andBlue]

Hi Jeff,
I had a similar problem and looked for solutions.  One member of the German group found an upholsterer who added a Nosag spring from side to side and and two additional bars (photo 1). Since my upholsterer can not get the nice clips he clamps them the "old fashion way" with hog clips and cover strips (photo 2).  I am curious how yours look.
The Nosag springs can be bought from several sources. here is one: http://www.fabricsbyous.com/supply_detail.asp?category=springs/bases

[jeffc280sl]

66andBlue,

That looks nice.  I'll let you know how mine turns out.

[jeffc280sl]

Alfred,

Here is the area where we are adding the coil springs.  The steel lateral straps will be located closer to the rear of the seat.

[IXLR8]

Hi--

My solution is not nearly so elegant, but it seems to work fine.

I got some woven polyester upholstery pads that are 4 inches thick by 20 inches by 20 inches. I rolled them onto a cylinder shape and jammed them in the 180 degree bend area.

Works great!

Joe

[jeffc280sl]

Just got my seat back from the upholsteror.  Here is a pic of the two lateral rods and coil springs which are hog ringed to the S springs and seat frame.  I'll let you know how it feels after I get the seat back together.

[jeffc280sl]

here is the stifner pic

[66andBlue]

Jeff,
this looks very promising. Please let us know how the coil springs work out.

[jeffc280sl]

Alfred,

The seat is firmer as a result of the lateral struts bu I'm not satisfied with what I have.  I have relocated the coil springs to the outermost s spring and it feels a little better.  I intend to continue trying different setups and I'll keep everyone apprised.

[jeffc280sl]

The best thing ti improve my seat was the foam pool noodle thing.  I slit one and glued it to another.  Following that I cut a towel up and sewed the material around the noodle.  I slid it inplace in the 180 degree bend in the S springs.  I left 6 inches on each end which I bent 90 degrees and then secured it above the seat frame.  Basically the S springs had fatigued to the point where if I sat in the seat they would bend below the seat frame.  The pool noodle returns some stifness to this area while still feeling comfortable.  The 90 degree bends provide a little extra support and firmness on the outside edge of the seat.  Believe it or not this is the way to go.   

[Cees Klumper]

For those of us not immediately aware what a pool noodle is - in various stores (I would start looking in larger toy stores and general merchandise places) they sell these very long, relatively thick, round and brightly colored 'sticks' that I suppose can be used to stay afloat in a pool? and I believe that is the item we are talking about.

[hauser]

Any pics with the pool noodles installed?

[jeffc280sl]

Hauser,

No I didn't take any pics.  Basically the S springs fatigue right where they make the 180 degree bend in the very front of the seat.  To add some side support the noodle support is 6 to 8 inches longer than required for the front spring support.  At the very corners of the front seat the noodle support takes a 90 degree turn towards the rear of the seat.  I covered the noodle with material and then used hog rings to hold it in place.

[Till]

Jeff,
What is the approximate diameter of your pool noddle utilized?
Thanks!
Till

[jeffc280sl]

3 inches or so

[RickM]

OK, don't laugh, but....how about some type of air bladder system?

Can custom fabricate, modify an existing air mattress type product, scavenge seat components from a modern / junked car or something along the lines of this -------> http://www.bluechipmedical.com/seating-positioning/positioning/grz-wc

[mdsalemi]

I decided to revive this thread, since Alfred's and Jeff's photos are excellent and provide a great reference.

I've finally got my seat apart, and I'm not surprised there is no broken springs; and quite literally everything else is in great shape.  I do, however, want to firm up the seat.

The pool noodle will be used, but I also suspect some lateral springs (see the photos that Alfred posted early in the thread) placed sideways will be good.

Note also, his liberal use of "bar springs".  This looks doubled up from stock, anyone have any source for these?

Alfred's link for the s-spring source is a good one, inexpensive and available.

Any ideas or updates from others are appreciated.  I'm not going to do any air bladders or anything like that...

[zoegrlh]

In my topic discussing Leather Re-upholstery at PUB 2009, I talked about the "pool noodle". as a fix to a "not so firm" seat.  Most of these springs get weak at the 180 degree bend.  Mind you, it depends on the size/weight of the driver/drivers over the SL's life.  During my research of the history of my SL, I found that all the previous owners where in my size/weight category, 150-180 lbs.  This accounted for my springs still being strong, so I did not have to do too much additional to them when re-upholstering, only added noodles.  However I do think that 2 "S" springs could be added to the seat spring pattern from side to side (at 90 degrees from original springs) near the back of the seat.  So if you are to use the noodle, the one that should be used is the 3 1/2 inch.  You can find them, now that it is spring, at the Walgreens Pharmacies.  I have found this to do the trick and gives the front of the seat that firm feel.
Bob

[thelews]

Well, here's my solution.  My seats were in good shape, original, but needed some firming.  I sandwiched a piece of 3" foam between the coils where they roll over up to the crossmember.  Then I put 1/2" felt under the remaining coils and complete surface from the crossmember back, reaching to the back of the seat.  The foam stiffens the springs and gives the corners and sides strength for your thighs.  The felt firms up the seat surface to compensate for deteriorated cocofibre padding.  The little wedge of felt in the corner was to make the one corner of the seat stiffer.  Works very well, no more rocking, no puffery looking at the seat and a nice firm surface.

P.S. Note the factory body number markings on the seat frame.