9 replies to this topic

[josheylane]

1995 SPI mini Cooper,
I am very new to this brought my mini yesterday and while driving it home the seat diaphragm torn down the middle, i know you can buy one from mini spares for £25 but is there any other places? and what is the easiest way to attach a new one ? do you need to take the old seat out and attach it?
Any help will be much appreciated






 photo.JPG   345.02K   16 downloads

[liirge]

1995 SPI mini Cooper,
I am very new to this bought my mini yesterday and while driving it home the seat diaphragm torn down the middle, i know you can buy one from mini spares for £25 but is there any other places? and what is the easiest way to attach a new one ? do you need to take the old seat out and attach it?
Any help will be much appreciated





 photo.JPG   345.02K   16 downloads

Your best bet is to go to a scrappy and find a mini seat im sure there will be some and then nick the diaphragm from that, or a local club member will have a spare seat you cant butcher i would imagine.

Edited by liirge, 04 August 2011 - 12:38 PM.

[josheylane]

Thanks i was thinking that. With putting it back into the car is just a case of pulling it into the holes ? or do i need to take the seat out?

[PaulHam]

Exactly the same problem has happened with my Ford Recaro RS Turbo Seats, someone has repaired them by fixing metal hole things to each side. then putting a cord through and tieing up like a womans corsit.

i took the cord out and used cable ties though.

works well

[coopedup1980]

I had the same problem. Tried a fix with cable ties but they flexed too much.

Using a second hand diaphram isn't that great too...the plastic/rubber used deteriates over time and weakens putting you back to where you are now.

I got a new one from Mini spares. Was quite simple to replace, all you need do is take the seat out flip over and away you go. All you'll need are some pliers and a cable tie to help pull that last hook back into the wholes.

Cheers,
Neil

[josheylane]

I had the same problem. Tried a fix with cable ties but they flexed too much.

Using a second hand diaphram isn't that great too...the plastic/rubber used deteriates over time and weakens putting you back to where you are now.

I got a new one from Mini spares. Was quite simple to replace, all you need do is take the seat out flip over and away you go. All you'll need are some pliers and a cable tie to help pull that last hook back into the wholes.

Cheers,
Neil

thanks neil, taking out the seat is it a hard job? do i just need a spanner and a few other tools or more?

[bobs]

Don't get a second hand one...

Just sit on the cross member... actually don't you'll soon rip the seats.

Two bolts at the front to whip the seat out, it's easier when it's out the car.

Look under it and unclip the material from the seat base, your type should be clipped in, remove old diaphram, then using a friend to help hold the seat still on a table, find out which way around the new 'phram fits by comparing it to the old one, and stretch the hooks over the holes, might need some pliers, if it's REALLY tight, I mean really tight, then it's backwards, but it should be tight to stretch over each hole in the seat base fram.

Re fit cover and clips, bolt back in car, don't over tighten the nuts on the two bolts, and select your desired mounting hole, over tightening can make it hard to tip the seat forward for rear seat access...

Now sit on a like new chair, awesome!

[AVV IT]

I realise that everyone is going down the "don't buy second hand" route, but If you do want a used one then I do in fact have a spare diaphragm and can post it too if you're interested. It's from the passenger seat of a 1998 model, so it's not that old and also as it's not from the drivers side, it hasn't had someone bouncing up and down on it for every mile of it's entire life either

[1964Woody]

There is a step by step guide to refurbishing seats at:

http://www.drjing.co.../SeatRefurb.htm

Have not tried it but looks fairly comprehensive.

[josheylane]

thanks a lot everyone all very useful information !