Amazon seat refurb'

[bayliss Thomas]

My next job is to replace the foam seat structure in the drivers seat. It is way past its best and uncomfortable. I note that scandix and scandar both supply the seat foam at a. out of around 190 euro + delivery, so. hefty price. can this seat foam structure be purchased within the UK? I only want the correct items with shaping and density so am disregarding the 'cut and shape your own' material.
Fortunately the leatherette in in good condition.

[Volvo_133]

The seat base has rubber webbing on hooks which attach to the tubular frame.
My comfort has greatly increased by replacing these. I simply removed them, then using a secondhand seat belt, threaded the belt in and out of each of the hooks, then had the wife sew it up to a tensioned length. Much better. Try a sheet of thin plywood first to get an idea if this will fix your issue.
Chris.

[Splinelube]

Same here, I used webbing from lawn chair expect some stretch over time but easy and cheap to redo. Russ

[bayliss Thomas]

Thanks chaps, I was looking at rons spring arrangement and may go for that instead of the webbing. However I think the foam has lost its strength as well, in the small of my back I can feel framing so thought that can't be right.

[Ron Kwas]

Guys;

The Volvo seats were orthopedically designed and quite comfortable...when new and the Pirelli seat suspension bands had compliance and worked as intended, in conjunction with the seat cushion foam...replacing bands ("Sheet Pasta Gone Wrong") with webbing with no (or very little) compliance is not so good, because then the seat cushion foam is the only thing between frame jolts and your spine. A suspension is really necessary and required, so given the longevity of our cars, and not wanting to periodically have to replace the SPGW, I redesigned it in all metal to allow for a one-time only replacement.

I am finalizing a kit for the Seatback also at this time...more involved to install, because it requires removing seatback cover and cushion, but sound like it would be of interest to bT.

Cheers

[Derek UK]

The seat back has the same Pirelli webbing as the base. It doesn't get the same abuse by weight but just dies of old age. This means that the screw adjusted lumbar support dies too. That's the reason you can feel the metalwork in the small of your back. That webbing can also be replaced but it's not such an easy job as doing the base webbing. Not being much of a bucket seat the sponges are pretty flat. A good automotive upholster should be able to replicate the foam for a reasonable price. Try Richard Felton at http://www.specialist-upholstery.com...-car-trimming/
I'm sure that there will be others here that have had 1800 work done by him. Rubberised upholstery webbing is cheaper than the Pirelli type and will give you at least 10 years support on the base and much longer on the back even on a daily driver.. If you like a harder seat but one which you can adjust the shape of when fitting you can use old seat belt webbing. Cost probably nil from your local scrappie.
I'm not dismissing Ron's spring conversion but more or less replacing what you have like for like is quicker, easier, cheaper.

[bayliss Thomas]

Had a quick look at the seat base webbing, whilst the seat is in situ, and it looks nd feels OK. Fairly taut in fact, but as a almost 14 stone lump plonks himself down!!!
The car has covered only 108,000 certified miles in its life thus far, I am mildly surprised the seat is in such need of refurb'. Or perhaps I expect a little too much in the way of comfort. When I meet up with giibury in May I will ask for a seating comparison with his Gracie.

[Derek UK]

Sorry, I missed the opening title saying you had an Amazon. Most still applies although Richard does do mostly 1800 stuff. The seat base comes off in seconds, just undo the poppers at the back so easy to do a proper check. Time is the enemy for the Pirelli webbing not miles, but usage, weight of driver and temp changes take their toll too.
Rubberised webbing is about £2/metre on the bay so for about £30 you can do both seats back and base. You'll have to make up some plate clips or buy some from Woolies. I think Brookhouse has them too if you ask.
Lots of threads here about this, some with pictures of old an new webbing. Just search for seat webbing using advanced search and 120 forum from the drop down menu.
This is a late type seat back showing the saggy webbing. Your GT will have the tubes for the headrests if you don't already have them fitted. Not standard for the GT in the UK.

[bayliss Thomas]

Great stuff thanks derek

[Ron Kwas]

Derek;

I request your permission to repost that picture.

Cheers