Can I straighten out seat bolster in sport seat?

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  • DaveInLA
    Wrencher
    • Apr 2005
    • 222

    #1

    Can I straighten out seat bolster in sport seat?

    The driver side seat bolster (facing the left side of my butt) is somewhat sagging from getting in and out of my car. I've actually been very careful in ingressing and egressing, but I fear the previosus owner haven't been. It seems like the metal structure beneath the leather and padding is either a little bit bent or has otherwise lost its form. I've tried pushing/pulling it so it's straight again, with no success. Is there any way I can make this bolster as straight as the one on the other side?
  • erik325i
    No R3VLimiter
    • Jan 2005
    • 3567

    #2
    yes.

    If you take apart the seat, and remove the leather panels, and remove the foam, you will be able to use a large prybar to bend in the bar that gives the bolster it's shape.

    -Erik

    Comment

    • DaveInLA
      Wrencher
      • Apr 2005
      • 222

      #3
      Can I remove that one bolster without removing the entire seat from my car? Also, how do I remove the leather without tearing it or removing the stitches? I want to use more force in bending the metal structure back to form, but I'm afraid I'm going to break something.

      Comment

      • kencopperwheat
        King of Kegstands
        • Oct 2003
        • 14396

        #4
        The bolster is a separate piece from the rest of the seat. Just take the back off of the seat and it should be fairly evident how to remove the bolster. You really only need a pair of needle-nose pliers to do it.
        Originally posted by Gruelius
        and i do not know what bugg brakes are.

        Comment

        • kencopperwheat
          King of Kegstands
          • Oct 2003
          • 14396

          #5
          You can probably push hard enough on the bolster to move it without taking the leather off though...
          Originally posted by Gruelius
          and i do not know what bugg brakes are.

          Comment

          • DaveInLA
            Wrencher
            • Apr 2005
            • 222

            #6
            Originally posted by kencopperwheat
            The bolster is a separate piece from the rest of the seat. Just take the back off of the seat and it should be fairly evident how to remove the bolster. You really only need a pair of needle-nose pliers to do it.
            I'm talking about the seat bolster by my butt, not the supports for my back. Are we talking about the same thing?

            Comment

            • StereoInstaller1
              GAS
              • Jul 2004
              • 22679

              #7
              Originally posted by DaveInLA
              Can I remove that one bolster without removing the entire seat from my car?
              Dude, not trying to be harsh here, but there are 4 bolts holding the "entire" seat in.

              You might just want to pay a pro to take your seat apart if simply removing it is making you nervous. Or, see if there is a list member close by to help, maybe someone with more experience.

              Just an observation here. Not trying to slam you, man...only an observation.

              Luke

              Closing SOON!
              "LAST CHANCE FOR G.A.S." DEAL IS ON NOW

              Luke AT germanaudiospecialties DOT com or text 425-761-6450, or for quickest answers, call me at the shop 360-669-0398

              Thanks for 10 years of fun!

              Comment

              • Jand3rson
                Banned
                • Oct 2003
                • 37587

                #8
                Originally posted by kencopperwheat
                You can probably push hard enough on the bolster to move it without taking the leather off though...
                I did that with the driver side of my sports in this car, just pushed it back by hand, while it was still in the car.

                Comment

                • mark1
                  Member
                  • Oct 2005
                  • 93

                  #9
                  There's a good chance that the weld is broken where the bolster frame is welded to the front of the seat. This can be rewelded by only partially peeling back(unhooking) the bolster leather with the seat out.

                  Comment

                  • rscheiring
                    E30 Enthusiast
                    • Jan 2004
                    • 1014

                    #10
                    Originally posted by mark1
                    There's a good chance that the weld is broken where the bolster frame is welded to the front of the seat. This can be rewelded by only partially peeling back(unhooking) the bolster leather with the seat out.
                    Agreed. the majority of E30 seats have this weld broken on the drivers bolster. Just remove the seat, flip it over, and follow where the bolster frame piece meets the bottom of the seat.
                    A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do- Walter Gagehot

                    Comment

                    • Simon S
                      No R3VLimiter
                      • Oct 2004
                      • 3758

                      #11
                      seat article

                      happened to me.
                      used article for disassembly guidance.

                      identified broken bolster connection.


                      had local body shop re-weld for 10 clams.
                      reassembled seat

                      got laid.
                      -----Zen and the Art of e30 Maintenance - / - Zen TOC - / - Zen Summary

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