Hello All:

I have been slowly gathering parts and information to rebuild the front seats on my '92 245. I have located and installed seat heater switches and harnesses (thanks to Bob Haire!), found seat heater elements from a pick-and-pull ($10), which I rebuilt in the electronics shop at work, and good passenger seat foam to transplant into my driver's seat bottom ($5). I also picked up a driver's side seat height adjustment mechanism for my passenger seat ($10). The seat wire grids were cheaper at Volvo than they are at IPD, which was a surprise! I got replacement springs to replace missing ones from the pick-and-pull as well.

My seat frames both wobble fore-aft, so I am planning on using loctite on all internal bolts.

I have studied Tony Hoffman's seat rebuild pages on Erling's website, and looked around the archives for methods for repairing lumbar support mechanisms. I am planning on getting a can of 3M #77 spray adhesive and some backing material for repairs.

I have a few specific questions:

1) how have others washed their seat covers? Mine have gray cloth with the vinyl backs on them-- is this vinyl going to be OK in the washer? I was planning on removing the rods that the hogrings attach to, and to use Woolite or some other gentle detergent and the gentle cycle. I plan to air dry the covers.

2) any pearls of wisdom or websites with pictures on the lumbar support repair? I am planning on using coat hanger wire or something similar if any wires are broken. I seem to remember seeing a picture somewhere of repairs to the plastic part of the lumbar support mechanism, but I haven't been able to find it again...

3) Any other tips for the job? I am planning on taking the seats out one at a time and I am going to use zip ties to re-assemble them.

I am hoping to get this done in the next week or so!

Thanks!




--
Herb Goltz, London, Ontario, Canada '92 245 w/109K mi