Torn Shorts, Busted Spring, Upholstery Questions

[LazyLightning75]

I have a broken spring on the base of my driver’s side seat - several actually as I discovered after taking the seat apart. They’ve been welded in the past, but the welds have failed and the springs have torn through the seat covers. The seats no longer have the original materials and I need some help figuring out what’s supposed to be there.

Tcash (miss that dude) and echebus have some good write ups on the seats and I’ve gleaned as much as I can. Looks like the order for replacement material installation is as follows:

1) Black cloth or burlap over spring frame. Anything special here or just go down to the fabric supply store and grab something that works?

2) Hair-fiber pad or molded foam pad next. Both are readily avail. Any preference here on material?

3) Cotton batting or cotton sisel next. Not sure if this the correct terminology. Any suggestions on what to use here or where to get it? Fabric store?

4) Seat cover

Also, if anyone has the bottom spring frame for a 75-76 seat, I could use some springs from it. I’m willing to pay cost plus shipping. If not, I’ll put a WTB add in the classifieds. There’s a few seats in the classified, but I don’t need the entire seat and shipping looks like it would be a pain.

As always, I greatly appreciate the help. A few pictures below.

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1975 Riviera 1.8L FI

[ivwshane]

I can't help you buy I have a similar issue.

I wonder if you can just buy replacement springs. It looks like it would be easier to replace the showing rather than fix it.
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77 westy 2.0 FI
69 ghia coup 1600dp
70 single cab

[alaskadan]

Yeah welding them never lasts long. When I've had to try and fix a broken spring or more commonly an edge wire, I sleeve it with a piece of metal tube. Brake line or metal fuel line. Which still is only to be done in a pinch in the right situation. You could go to a worthy upholstery shop that has a good variety of springs for hand tied furniture bases and find a comparable spring.

[LazyLightning75]

I found some generic upholstery springs (9 gauge) that I think I can make work. Will let you know how it goes. Thanks for the input!
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1975 Riviera 1.8L FI

[Stuartzickefoose]

I second the brake line repairs, slid a piece of hose over each end and crimp down. Works well for one or two.

I may have a line on 76 seats. And I’m also coming to California in the near future. Hmm.....

🤔
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Stuart Zickefoose

2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual

206-841-7324
[email protected]

[Stuartzickefoose]

I second the brake line repairs, slid a piece of hose over each end and crimp down. Works well for one or two.

I may have a line on 76 seats. And I’m also coming to California in the near future. Hmm.....

🤔
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Stuart Zickefoose

2011 Jetta Sportwagen TDi 6 speed manual

206-841-7324
[email protected]

[LazyLightning75]

Let me know if you’re traveling through Sacramento.
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1975 Riviera 1.8L FI

[Stuartzickefoose]

[aeromech]

I’ve bought seat springs from [email protected] before. Call or email him.
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Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[Stuartzickefoose]

[Abscate]

That should weld easily. Something isn’t being done right if that’s weld breaks
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.ssS!

[74 Thing]

Best to get used seat springs from another frame and transfer them over to yours (passenger side is usually less worn). Welding never seems to work with springs. Using some sort of crimp as mentioned above is an alternative:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfW2K3_Hd18

You can probably take it to an auto uphl store and they can replace the broken springs as well.

[aeromech]

You can probably take it to an auto uphl store and they can replace the broken springs as well.

Only if you bring them springs. So call Ken at thebusco
_________________
Lead Mechanic: San Diego Air and Space Museum
Licensed Airframe and Powerplant Mechanic
Licensed Pilot (Single engine Land)
Boeing 727,737-200-300-400,757,767
Airbus A319,320,321
DC9/MD80
BAe146
Fokker F28/F100
VW type 1 1962,63,65,69,72
VW Type 2 1971 (3 ea.) 1978, 1969
VW Jetta
VW Passat
Capable of leaping tall buildings in a single bound

[LazyLightning75]

Will do. Thanks for the advice.
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1975 Riviera 1.8L FI

[Purplebus1976]

I don't see very recent thread here but I wanted share some learnings I am currently struggling with. Products and offerings change all the time so here is something current.

1.) The TMI vinyl reupholster kit I bought off Bus Depot specifically says you have to use the foam/vs the fiber cushion.
2.) Bus depot only sells the fiber cushion so I bought them. (I didn't know this was a problem until I received the TMI package.)
3.) The fiber horse hair does not fit my frames.... very close, such that I have spent hours trying to get them to fit.
4.) Either TMI is crap or they are serious about not using the fiber pad. Mine tore.
5.) Bus depot does not sell burlap. They do offer the stuff that looks like carpet pad. It is probably an 1/8" compressed. Doubled up around the frame it might add a 1/4" which might be part of my problem with getting the fiber cushions to fit my frame.
6.) I am very disappointed in BD for selling incompatible parts. I have very little time to mess around with returns.

Hog rings/burlap
1.) I think the hog rings suck. I successfully stitched my prepad material down with heavy upholstery thread. Again I did this extra step to try to compress everything tight to fit my cushions.
2.) When I re cushioned by rear bench I used some solar shade material in lieu of burlap. I also used zip ties to hold this in place. It was cheap and seams to work very well. I might try this on my front seats to see if I can actually get the cushions I have to work.

[richparker]

[outcaststudios]

fwiw when you weld a spring, its no longer a spring. the metal gets annealed and is soft, but it will at least hold.
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'88Doka JX td
'69 westy
(rip)couple bugs
(rip)three type III"s
(rip) '81 vanagon
a bunch of french stuff,and 9 motorcycles.

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=2573791

[Purplebus1976]

I have a 1976. BD let's you upload your model. My assumption is that only items that fit that model pop up. The foam pads were not an option and I don't recall being asked to check the shape on the seat before ordering. I do know there as a change specific to this model year. The passenger seat has an open back. The TMI kit appears to accommodate this. Note I did have to send the first TMI kit back because it was not tapered.

[Jetfxr69]

These are great cheap springs that are almost “ i-dentical” ( my cousin vinny). Used them across the front. Two corners were left alone and the two centers were clipped to correct bottom diameter for the keepers to grab.

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You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer. Zappa

‘77 westy Seamus
‘76 tintop Crusher
‘77 westy The Judge
‘72 tintop bastard westy Hudson

[Jetfxr69]

I have to give all the credit for this find.