Save your drivers seat bolster.

au350hp · 01-03-2018, 07:43 PM

After making a pair of virtually new front buckets out of 5 AU XR seats because of the typical side bolster wear and collapsed back support, I have come up with a way to slow the damage. Slide the seat back before getting out so you can pivot from the front of the seat avoiding dragging your legs and backside over the side bolster. Yes, it is a pia, but better than the tragic look of collapsed bolsters and not been held in the seat around corners.

.:4:. · 01-03-2018, 08:13 PM

One step ahead mate, with 3 position memory seats and only 2 drivers number 3 pulls the seat all the way back for the fat guy exit. I'm only small but it works a treat.

**Professor Farnsworth** · 01-03-2018, 09:22 PM

I'd much rather have the seat deteriorate over time than rearrange it every time I get out.

NX74205 · 01-03-2018, 09:40 PM

Does it automatically in my Mondeo

**GO FURTHER** · 01-03-2018, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roostercam

After making a pair of virtually new front buckets out of 5 AU XR seats because of the typical side bolster wear and collapsed back support, I have come up with a way to slow the damage. Slide the seat back before getting out so you can pivot from the front of the seat avoiding dragging your legs and backside over the side bolster. Yes, it is a pia, but better than the tragic look of collapsed bolsters and not been held in the seat around corners.

Having recently changed over the seat bases in my FG (as 99% of the time I am in the car by myself and the passenger seat is rarely used) from passenger to driver to distribute the wear after 100,000Kms....That is exactly what I now do!

I also rebuilt the side upright bolster with foam, which I described in detail in my Show 'N Shine thread....

Swapping seat bases & repairing weakened driver's upright bolster

I think because of the soft foam Ford use in the bolsters and coupled to the high driving position / low steering wheel, it forces you to squash the seat base bolster when getting in and out of the car with the less clearance, especially if you have thick thighs.

So to make the new seat bolster last longer, I slide the seat back when getting out, then after I get back in, slide the seat forward to a line I have on my console that aligns with the front of the seat base for quick and perfect repositioning.

Dezza · 01-03-2018, 10:01 PM

Well, that won't work for me! I'm 6"4' so my seat is always back!

CoupeKing · 01-03-2018, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dezza

Well, that won't work for me! I'm 6"4' so my seat is always back!

Ohhh man up ffs

Dezza · 01-03-2018, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoupeKing

Ohhh man up ffs

Funnily enough my housemate has the same car (it's still a project). I can't say I've tried to sit in it yet!

Maka · 01-03-2018, 10:48 PM

I repaired my front seats bolsters then put tight sheep skin seat covers over them, i make sure when jumping out of my xr not to put too much weight on that right side bolster.

I also taped up the frames with foam tape iirc where they were poking out of the torn bolster cover fabric lessening the sharp edge of the seat frame there, giving my good unripped seat covers a way easier time now.

My bolsters are still good & going strong, looks way better than what they were lol!

cheers, Maka

au350hp · 01-03-2018, 11:09 PM

Luckily, I am still agile enough to lower myself in & out without doing any adjustments. Seeing as so many cars have the issue and it looks so bad, I thought it will help some people.

ebv8 · 02-03-2018, 07:55 AM

i bought a passenger XR seat from ebay for $20, put the lower foam in my drivers side and boom, for $20 its a new seat... this was a while back so AU XR seats went cheap

**Cav** · 02-03-2018, 08:48 AM

I have a big arrse, so everything wears evenly

jmack · 02-03-2018, 10:12 AM

Last one i did i put a piece of carpet between the steel frame and foam.stopped the frame from cutting though it

commodorenutt · 02-03-2018, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maka

I also taped up the frames with foam tape iirc where they were poking out of the torn bolster cover fabric lessening the sharp edge of the seat frame there, giving my good unripped seat covers a way easier time now.

In the FG the console side of the backreast has a wire frame, rather than the foam block (airbag size) fitted to BA/BF. I had the foam replaced under warrantly when it cut through on that wire (which had welding spatter on it, making it rough, and sharp).

I taped up the wire parts with cloth-reinforced tape (gaffer tape) then put that split loom tububg over it, and taped over it again. 5 years later, still no problems, so it's definitely worth doing.

I have also made some desk chairs out of various seats over the years - EB Ghia, BF Fairlane, BA Fairmont - on all of them I've smoothed all the sharp edges with gaffer tape, and none of them have any noticeable wear on the foam, despite some having 40+ hours usage each week.

**Rallye Sport** · 02-03-2018, 04:31 PM

I'm very conscious of this at the moment. My old BA was pretty bad and I noticed it alot on alot of the FG's I was looking at.
Training myself to step into the new one at the moment, how long that lasts I don't know but its only a daily so hey...
My Au's not too bad but the Escort is a problem, very high bolster on the Scheel seats, small car and long legs are proving difficult. I don't look real stylish clambering in and out but I went to alot of effort to get the correct Beta cloth so thats the way life has to be.