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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Bristol Boy on 11 February 2008, 15:49

Title: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: Bristol Boy on 11 February 2008, 15:49
The bolster (seat squab) foam on my 1989 Mk2 GTi driver's seat has collapsed (don't they all in the end?). I've been offered a passenger seat from a Mk2 GTi which seems to have good, solid foam in the seat squab and in the backrest.

Does anyone know if the passenger-side squab and backrest foam is the same as the driver's side?

I'm OK with stripping the seats down and swapping the foams over, but don't want the hassle if the passenger foams won't fit on the driver's side!!

By the way, does anyone know what new squab and backrest foams cost from VW?
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: golf8v on 11 February 2008, 19:02
base on e bay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-GOLF-MK-2-SEAT-BASE-FOAM-90-92-NEW-GENUINE-VW_W0QQitemZ120219518620QQihZ002QQcategoryZ9889QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-GOLF-MK-2-SEAT-BASE-FOAM-90-92-NEW-GENUINE-VW_W0QQitemZ120219518620QQihZ002QQcategoryZ9889QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: Bristol Boy on 12 February 2008, 20:04
Thanks - saw it before I posted  :smiley:

Although the base on Ebay is for a non-GTi it kind of suggests that the passenger/driver bases are interchangeable on the GTi as well.

Does anyone know if the foams for the backrest on GTi's are also interchangeable, or does the tipping mechanism (its a 3-door) make a difference?
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: paultownsend on 13 February 2008, 00:08
i need to know this too.90'spec 3 door foam needed
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: rubjonny on 13 February 2008, 12:45
The foams on driver/passenger seats are identical GTI or otherwise, however the seats changed shape in 1990.  As long as you get a set of foam from the same type of seat its all good.

Check where the hazard switch was on the donor car, if its in the same place as yours you're good to go :)
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: Bristol Boy on 13 February 2008, 19:27
Top man  -  thanks.   Are the passenger/driver backrest foams interchangeable as well (or not, cos the tilting lever is on the other side)?
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: rubjonny on 14 February 2008, 10:27
yep! you can even just bolt a complete passenger upright on a driver base & vice versa, all that means is the handle and brackrest knob are on the opposite side.
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: paultownsend on 14 February 2008, 11:06
are the 16v rainbow seat bolsters the same as 8v 90'spec?
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: rubjonny on 14 February 2008, 11:10
only if the rainbow seat is also post 90 ;)
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: paultownsend on 14 February 2008, 12:24
got a base but cant get the *ing cloth off! any guides around there?
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: rubjonny on 14 February 2008, 12:44
easy:

Pop off the plastic trim pieces either side of the upright, held in with 3 plastic pins. push them out :)
Tilt seat forward either by using handle or by manually releasing the metal hooks at the base
Pop off the 'c' clip either side, then pull metal legs of upright out and it'll come off the base
Flip base over, you'll see 2 plastic clips on the front edge, pop them out
on either side of the frame are 2 metal hooks, bend them out straight and unhook material from them
at the back you'll see a bendy metal wire coming out of the edge of the fabric, unwrap and release
theres a plastic bush either side that the upright hooks onto, undo the screw in the middle & remove
last of all theres a strip along the back of the fabric pressed into the base, pop it out

Now the fabric & foam will come off the base.  To release the fabric from the foam if GTI seats:

Peel the fabric up at the edges, you'll see its secured to the foam using metal rods across the foam and a metal rod down the bolster gaps
there should be a metal ring near the middle, prise it open and remove
now at each end you'll see the metal rod hooks over, you have to squeeze the foam and release the hook, its a pain but it will come off!
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: Peel on 14 February 2008, 12:57
I did mine a few weeks back following Rubjonny's excellent advice.
Cheers my man  :smiley:
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: Bristol Boy on 14 February 2008, 13:32
rubjonny:  thanks again!

paultownsend:  rubjonny's description should do the trick for you.  If you need pictures, VW Motoring magazine published a How-To in their March 2005 issue.  In the unlikely event that you don't have the back-issue lying around, I could post you a copy if you wanted to pm me with your address.  Nick.
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: rubjonny on 14 February 2008, 13:41
One day i gotta strip my seats down again to fit heated seat pads, so I'll take piccies then :)
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: paultownsend on 14 February 2008, 13:52
il have another go now

there should be a metal ring near the middle, prise it open and remove

cant seem to find the ring
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: paultownsend on 14 February 2008, 14:31
nice 1 chaps!

spare seat done, now to attack mine!

ps i now have a excellent condition rainbow 16v seat cloth spare! any takers?
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: DarnPB on 14 February 2008, 15:55
Strange this post should appear now. I have just fitted a right hand bolster to the left hand, (driver seat in mine). Posting the details in my projects a little later. :smiley:
Also, the car is now ready and off for paint tomorrow. Piccies soon. Again, look in my project section later on.
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: paultownsend on 16 February 2008, 13:56
it was easy inthe end!

but now as im 6ft 2 my head hits the roof on bumps! think the old 170k bolster was a little sagged :smiley:
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: rubjonny on 16 February 2008, 15:10
if its a pre-90 seat, get a base frame from a MK3 Polo GT or G40, same shape and sits lower :)
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: Bristol Boy on 19 February 2008, 09:44
**!!!!!***gnnnnnn!!!!********grrrrr!!!!!!!!  not easy getting those wire hooks out of the foam, is it????????  I managed to snap my favourite pair of long pointy pliers, and they were very old, good quality ones, not cheap rubbish ...........
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: rubjonny on 19 February 2008, 09:48
i use my hands! Raagh me strong :grin:
Title: Re: Driver's seat bolster/foam
Post by: edd16v on 19 February 2008, 13:44
I'd be interested in your spare 16v seat cloth, is it just the base or the back as well??

Is it in good condition and How much do you want for it?

Cheers
edd