Sleeper 89
New Member
In the driver's front leather seat there is a loose seam where the thread has broken and is unravelling. Is there a method for repairing such a problem short of taking the car to a set uphosterer?
Leather seat repair
- Thread starter Sleeper 89
- Start date
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jelloslug
Digital
If it's just a loose seam you can easlly fix it yourself. Go to Wal-Mart and get some matching upholstery thread (regular thread is not strong enough) and some curved upholstery needles. You will have to remove the damaged upholstry from the foam to work with it. I can provide step by step directions on this if you need them. Once you have the upholstery in hand you need to realign the sections and restich them using the existing holes. Make sure the stiches are tight and don't bunch up the leather. Replace any other worn stiching while you have it apart.
Sleeper 89
New Member
Yes, it is a seam that has unraveled as the thread has given way. Step by step instructions would be very helpful. I have a curved needle that came with a set I purchased many years ago. I'll just need to get thread. How to get the upholstery off of the foam/seat is the mystery to me. Your help is appreciated.
Alex Perry
Member
I wouldn't mind seeing instructions, too.
jelloslug
Digital
Here ya go:
Start by removing the seat from the car, then remove the plastic trim and controls. Next unbolt the seat back from the seat bottom and rotate it out of the pivot on the opposite side (be careful not to break the air lines to the lumbar and bolsters, they have splices in them to let you unhook the back from the bottom). Flip the seat bottom over and unbolt the rack from the seat bottom. The leather is held on by J clips, they are sewn into the fabric and roll over the edge of the frame. Start on any edge and peel the J clip off of the frame. Once you have the J clips unhooked, fold the leather over the foam to expose the hog ring rods. Cut off all the old hog rings and remove the old upholstery.
To remover the leather from the seat back start by unzipping the bottom. Next remove the headrest, it may slide right out or you might have to remove the clips that hold the headrest in. They are under the black plastic bezels (they unscrew). You may have to feel around a bit in the holes to find the metal clips, alternately if you have long arms you may be able to reach up through the bottom of the seat back and get to the clips. Next lift up on the free edge of the bolster and unhook the J clips around the edge. Pull the leather back. Pull up on the bolster foam/frame, there are 2 springs that need to be unhooked. There are 2 clips that hold the movable part of the bolster foam in place, reach under the outside edge and squeeze the clips that will let the bolster foam piece rotate off the rest of the seat (you may need pliers, if you not concerned with saving the bolsters you can be a bit more “vigorous“ with the removal of the bolster frames). You should now be able to see into the seat and see the hog rings that are holding part of the leather in place, cut those and do the same for the other side. Peel the upholstery up and clip any remaining hog rings.
Start by removing the seat from the car, then remove the plastic trim and controls. Next unbolt the seat back from the seat bottom and rotate it out of the pivot on the opposite side (be careful not to break the air lines to the lumbar and bolsters, they have splices in them to let you unhook the back from the bottom). Flip the seat bottom over and unbolt the rack from the seat bottom. The leather is held on by J clips, they are sewn into the fabric and roll over the edge of the frame. Start on any edge and peel the J clip off of the frame. Once you have the J clips unhooked, fold the leather over the foam to expose the hog ring rods. Cut off all the old hog rings and remove the old upholstery.
To remover the leather from the seat back start by unzipping the bottom. Next remove the headrest, it may slide right out or you might have to remove the clips that hold the headrest in. They are under the black plastic bezels (they unscrew). You may have to feel around a bit in the holes to find the metal clips, alternately if you have long arms you may be able to reach up through the bottom of the seat back and get to the clips. Next lift up on the free edge of the bolster and unhook the J clips around the edge. Pull the leather back. Pull up on the bolster foam/frame, there are 2 springs that need to be unhooked. There are 2 clips that hold the movable part of the bolster foam in place, reach under the outside edge and squeeze the clips that will let the bolster foam piece rotate off the rest of the seat (you may need pliers, if you not concerned with saving the bolsters you can be a bit more “vigorous“ with the removal of the bolster frames). You should now be able to see into the seat and see the hog rings that are holding part of the leather in place, cut those and do the same for the other side. Peel the upholstery up and clip any remaining hog rings.
