Hey all. Can you give me some advice?

Basically, one of the internal springs supporting the drivers seat (it's the one that sits at the lumbar) broke. The spring itself didn't break; rather, one of the mountings that connects the spring to the seat frame cracked. Now I have a driver's seat with no lumbar support. :mad:

Anyway, does anyone have suggestions as to what I should do to get it fixed? Are there shops that tend to deal with this kind of problem? Or should I just haul the car off to the dealer and let them charge me $$$ to send it off to a welder?

Any thoughts are appreciated! Thanks!

The seat can be removed in a matter of minutes....it is VERY simple....4 bolts and the airbag connector. Make sure you don't bork the airbag connector and all is good;)

Take it out and get it welded.

Thanks! :banana:

Should he disconnect the battery since he's messing with the airbag system? I know it's just a connector, but just to be on the safe side.

Also, what are the torque specs on the 4 bolts that hold the seat to the floorboard?

-Charles-

OK...here ya go...

http://img37.photobucket.com/albums/v113/unclescotty/seat-01.jpg

http://img37.photobucket.com/albums/v113/unclescotty/seat02.jpg

http://img37.photobucket.com/albums/v113/unclescotty/seat-03srs.jpg

FYI in case anyone is interested in what the Subaru dealer can do here:

replacement upper seat frame: $193

labor: ~$210-280 (3-4 hours)

:eek:

Actually, by dealership standards, that's not even that bad. Time to hit the salvage yards and for-sale forums...

Can't be welded...:confused:

Not by the dealer. But I'm looking at it thinking, if I want to get it re-welded, I have to (1) take the whole thing apart (cover, foam, etc.), then (2) if I want structural integrity I have to get what's left of the old bracket removed, and then (3) procure a new bracket to be welded, then (4) put the whole damn thing together again. Dunno how much that would cost. Might actually be cheap, but I gotta look into it. On the other hand, maybe I can find a used seat someone doesn't want (or at a salvage yard) for around $200 and swap the whole thing out wholesale.

I gotta call some auto upholsterers and welding/fabrication shops now... :disco:

BTW, the service dept rep was very square with me about it, which I much appreciated!

BTW2, in case I gotta drive the dead seat around in my own car, d'ya happen to know if the passenger's seat will swap with the driver's seat temporarily? (Makes the airbag kinda goofed but oh well.)

Edit: In the true ghetto fabulous diy tradition I've jury-rigged the spring to the frame using a worm-gear clamp. Now it's about 90% functional, so I think I'll leave it at that and start saving up for some Sparcos instead. Thanks guys for your help :D