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Model specific boards => Golf mk4 => Golf mk4 how to guides + info => Topic started by: richw911 on 28 February 2009, 21:58

Title: Recaro Seat fix
Post by: richw911 on 28 February 2009, 21:58
Guide on second page of this thread  :smiley:

Made a trip to rhys's today as he offered to do my recaro seat repair.

Top job he did aswell thanks again bud  :wink:

Also met up again with steve_PD good to see and catch up with you both :afro:

Thanks to dave for the boot struts rhys has your money :afro:

Recaro Foam base part number is 1JO 881 375 P and is approx £53 from your local dealer.

Few random pics:
Seat as it was:

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t318/richw911/Anni%20Wheels%20Feb09/Recaro%20seat%20fix/DSCF0712.jpg)

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t318/richw911/Anni%20Wheels%20Feb09/Recaro%20seat%20fix/DSCF0713.jpg)

Old sponge:
 
(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t318/richw911/Anni%20Wheels%20Feb09/Recaro%20seat%20fix/DSCF0714.jpg)

Breakfast  :laugh:  :evil: : Big thanks to rhys other half :afro:


(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t318/richw911/Anni%20Wheels%20Feb09/Recaro%20seat%20fix/DSCF0716.jpg)

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t318/richw911/Anni%20Wheels%20Feb09/Recaro%20seat%20fix/DSCF0715.jpg)

One fixed seat  :cool:

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t318/richw911/Anni%20Wheels%20Feb09/Recaro%20seat%20fix/DSCF0717.jpg)

Mk4's taking over the street!!

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t318/richw911/Anni%20Wheels%20Feb09/Recaro%20seat%20fix/DSCF0720.jpg)

Vag com data logging in steves car.

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t318/richw911/Anni%20Wheels%20Feb09/Recaro%20seat%20fix/DSCF0722.jpg)


Rhys got given a seat to use to repair his recaro.

Steve and rhys attacking it to get some meteral for rhys!!  :grin: :laugh:

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t318/richw911/Anni%20Wheels%20Feb09/Recaro%20seat%20fix/DSCF0718.jpg)

(http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t318/richw911/Anni%20Wheels%20Feb09/Recaro%20seat%20fix/DSCF0719.jpg)

Very good day thanks again to Rhys and lynz :afro:
Title: Re: Recaro Seat fix
Post by: Steve_PD on 28 February 2009, 22:03
Was good to see you again Rich, very impressed with your car and the sound of that miltec  :cool: :cool:
Title: Re: Recaro Seat fix
Post by: bobbarley on 28 February 2009, 22:04
Was good to see you again Rich, very impressed with your car and the sound of that miltec  :cool: :cool:
Does that translate to "I've just ordered one"?  :evil:
Title: Re: Recaro Seat fix
Post by: Ivor Mk4 Turbo on 28 February 2009, 22:04
Excellent work, Rhyso. :afro:

Rich, you just need to learn how to rotate pictures now! :D

I reckon that's what my base must look like, ATM.  Might leave it a bit though, after seeing the size of my to-do list on the joy'o'joy thread. :D
Title: Re: Recaro Seat fix
Post by: richw911 on 28 February 2009, 22:10
Was good to see you again Rich, very impressed with your car and the sound of that miltec  :cool: :cool:

Thanks bud :afro:

Your car is just awesome Into three figures before you know it!!!

Thats with a fault  :shocked: What it must be like when running spot on i do not know!!! Love it  :cool: :cool:
Title: Re: Recaro Seat fix
Post by: speed_freak on 28 February 2009, 23:19
Yeah i could do with mine repairing too dont want it to bust the cloth on a anniversary seat anyone in the yorkshire area do this ?
Title: Re: Recaro Seat fix
Post by: Steve_PD on 01 March 2009, 00:43
Was good to see you again Rich, very impressed with your car and the sound of that miltec  :cool: :cool:

Thanks bud :afro:

Your car is just awesome Into three figures before you know it!!!

Thats with a fault  :shocked: What it must be like when running spot on i do not know!!! Love it  :cool: :cool:

 :cool: thanks mate, next time you see it, it WILL be running sweet and I'll take you for a spin
Title: Re: Recaro Seat fix
Post by: Hulmie on 01 March 2009, 00:47
mine has gone in exactly the same place, do you need the full bottom half foam to repair it?
Title: Re: Recaro Seat fix
Post by: Steve_PD on 01 March 2009, 00:52
Yes you need the bottom half and its around £40 from vw, I also believe Rhyso's charging £15 per seat  :wink:
Title: Re: Recaro Seat fix
Post by: Rhyso on 01 March 2009, 09:14
lol no worries Rich - good to see you mate  :cool:

and Steve's car is AWESOME!! hopefully get that sorted soon :afro:

Need to find me some money for a Milltek ASAP after going for another spin in Rich's  :grin: :grin:

Recaro Foam base part number is 1JO 881 375 P and is approx £53 from your local dealer  :nerd:

hmm looks like we'll have to organise a 'Repair your recaro seat mini-meet'  :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: Recaro Seat fix
Post by: Wazzzer on 01 March 2009, 10:11
That's defo something on my list of things to get, mine looks like yours Rich.

Rhys is it relatively easy to do? I've only taken Escort RS Recaros apart but they have 3 piece bases...
Title: Re: Recaro Seat fix
Post by: Rhyso on 01 March 2009, 10:17
That's defo something on my list of things to get, mine looks like yours Rich.

Rhys is it relatively easy to do? I've only taken Escort RS Recaros apart but they have 3 piece bases...

it is to be honest

remove seat

then its two screws to remove the lower trim pieces (watch out for the sneaky clips and also a pin type clip) torch is useful!
two caps and screws to remove the seat height adjustment handle
then you unclip the seat cover i.e grab hold of the base of the cloth and pull down and it then peels backs

there are wires running through the seat foam which clips into plastic holders on the cloth - when removing the old foam you can just rip them out of the foam

remove the wires from the cloth

then refit - start at the back of the seat (near the backrest) and clip the cover to the foam base.  This is the trickiest part of the job.  Clip the cloth back into place and refit the trim pieces

the only small part i've yet to work out is that around the seat adjusters the cloth goes around the mechanism but i couldn't figure a way out of removing them so on both mine and Rich's i've cut the fabric - thankfully when its all back together you can't tell

Having done two seats i reckon i could now comfortably do it in about 30-45 minutes  :smiley:
Title: Re: Recaro Seat fix
Post by: Rhyso on 01 March 2009, 16:25
would happily pay the money to get me seat repaired but would cost me around £60 in fuel to get to ya.lol

lol

have a read of this guide as it pretty much details the steps you need to take

http://uk-mkivs.net/forums/t/130369.aspx

as i said beware of the hidden clips when removing the bottom trim pieces - if you tilt the seat back to rest it on the backrest you'll see them quite easily

any questions just ask  :smiley:
Title: How-to # Replace Recaro seat foam
Post by: Mr_Orange on 08 July 2011, 20:22
Here goes!  :grin:  I just took it upon myself to replace the driver's seat foam as it was slowly gathering in a pile beneath the seat and I started to feel metal through the fabric (not good).

As the seat remains inside the car there is no need to disconnect the battery.  BUT bear in mind there are power cables under there linked to small plastic explosive charges that will be next to your face for most of this job.

I did this on a yr 2000 1.8T without heated seats.

For this you will need the following:
# 1 spare hour
# 1x new seat foam item 1J0 881 375 P (£70 with a discount)
# Philips screwdriver
# Some pliers
# Wear a long sleeve top (explained later)
# Some gloves if you don't want to wreck your hands.
# A hoover as it will get messy under the seat.

Unscrew the philips screw at the front of the seat. 
Pop the loose plastic trim off to reveal another screw beneath.  Remove this screw also.
The two front trims should hang loose now.
Jack the seat up and forward on the runners as far as it will go.
There is a screw on the handbrake side holding that trim on.  Undo it and the trim will fall off.
Now working on the trim nearest you. Look under the seat and using the pliers pull out the small pointed plug.  Release the clip from the frame and this trim should now fall away also.  Here is the lug the clip fits into \/
(http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww140/najmeade/08072011637.jpg)

Move the seat back as far as it will go on the runners.

Now you need to release the seat cover from the frame.  There is a plastic lip attached to the front and side edges of the fabric, this holds the fabric under a groove around the frame. 
Working at the front of the seat, pull downwards on the seat fabric and it should start to pop off. 
Work your way around and release the lip from the front and sides.  Leave it attached at the back.

Take a look at the new foam, it has wires within it.  These hold the fabric down in that nice shape.  As the old foam is knackered these wires can be pulled out along with the fabric.  Pull the wire not the plastic bit attached to the fabric and don't go crazy doing this as the fabric could be damaged.  Here is the old foam when I started to pull back the cover  :sick: \/
(http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww140/najmeade/08072011635.jpg)

With the fabric removed, the manky old foam should now pull out.   :smiley:  You will be left with a mess of old foam under the seat and the old wires attached to the fabric \/
(http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww140/najmeade/08072011638.jpg)

Gently remove the wires from the plastic clips on the fabric and discard \/
(http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww140/najmeade/08072011639.jpg)

Look at the new foam. It has a slot at the back that needs to over a ridge on the frame.  It has holes under each side that need to go over the metal bars on the bolsters.

Wrestle the new foam under the fabric.  Be careful not to catch it too much on the plastic clips.  It needs to go all the way back and fit over the ridge at the back of the frame.  Make sure the fabric looks neat and the back.

You now need to refit the plastic clips to the new metal wires in the foam.  This is a b1tch and how I cut my hands and arms to shreds!  :evil:  You need to line the clips in the fabric up with the wires in the foam.  Start at the furthest clip back at each side, line the fabric web and clip up then push it down onto the wire each side (the first one took me ages to get a technique and they get easier as you move forward).  I had to pull the fabric forward a bit now to fit the first row across the seat \/
(http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww140/najmeade/08072011642.jpg)

Move forward left to right along the edges then do the second row across.  You may need to occasionally tug the fabric around a bit to line the clips up to the wires.  Fit the final side clips at the front.

Pull the front of the fabric down over the foam.  It should now be approximately in position.  Where the bolsters meet the seat it may need some persuasion.  It should be taking shape now!  When the fabric is sitting properly over the bolsters pull it down tightly at the front to get it sitting properly. 

The plastic rib around the front and sides needs to be turned up under itself now.  This was a bit of a faff.  I suggest you start at one front corner then it should pop under.

You now need to refit the fabric to the frame.  Starting at one front corner you need to pull the fabric down making sure the plastic rib remains turned under itself.  With one corner on it should be fairly easy to fit the rest of it back again.  The fabric may need some persuasion to sit in the right position and the fabric may be quite tight at the second corner.  With it all in place and looking neat the plastic rib needs to be locked back in position, so working your way around the seat with your fingers under the rib give it a good pull upwards back into the groove and it should click back into place \/
(http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww140/najmeade/08072011644.jpg)

That’s it done.  Check out your tight new Recaro seat  :cool:
(http://i713.photobucket.com/albums/ww140/najmeade/08072011643.jpg)

I’d recommend you hoover the carpet off before refitting the front/side trims.

No responsibility taken for damage to persons or property  :wink:
Title: Re: How-to # Replace Recaro seat foam
Post by: T_J_G on 08 July 2011, 21:30
Top guide, glad I wasn't there to help you  :grin: :wink:
Title: Re: How-to # Replace Recaro seat foam
Post by: AaronGS on 08 July 2011, 21:45
Good guide.
I did this the other day. It looks like it would be much easier to do if the backrest was also removed (but I stripped on of the bolts so now cannot remove it!). Its just 4 bolts to remove the backrest.
Planning on doing the backrest foam soon! Even more of those dreaded clips.
I also bunged the cover in the washing machine but it didn't make much difference.
Title: Re: Recaro Seat fix
Post by: AaronGS on 08 July 2011, 23:30
That's defo something on my list of things to get, mine looks like yours Rich.

Rhys is it relatively easy to do? I've only taken Escort RS Recaros apart but they have 3 piece bases...

it is to be honest

remove seat

then its two screws to remove the lower trim pieces (watch out for the sneaky clips and also a pin type clip) torch is useful!
two caps and screws to remove the seat height adjustment handle
then you unclip the seat cover i.e grab hold of the base of the cloth and pull down and it then peels backs

there are wires running through the seat foam which clips into plastic holders on the cloth - when removing the old foam you can just rip them out of the foam

remove the wires from the cloth

then refit - start at the back of the seat (near the backrest) and clip the cover to the foam base.  This is the trickiest part of the job.  Clip the cloth back into place and refit the trim pieces

the only small part i've yet to work out is that around the seat adjusters the cloth goes around the mechanism but i couldn't figure a way out of removing them so on both mine and Rich's i've cut the fabric - thankfully when its all back together you can't tell

Having done two seats i reckon i could now comfortably do it in about 30-45 minutes  :smiley:


You need to undo the bolts holding on the backrest; the lower, further in front bolt on each side is tethering down the cover, helping keep its tension when sat on. The cover is re-inforced with plastic which sits betwwen the base and the backrest.