So I'm now working on the driver's seat which is having a new cushion cover as well as the lowering springs. I'm thinking about doing something a bit different and I'd be interested in your thoughts.
As I'm recovering the cushion I've stripped the seat right down. It makes access to the clip/springs a doddle.
This is how the standard base looks with the 4 clips still in place:
When you press on the rubber membrane there is quite a bit of give in it.
This is how the base looks with the 4 springs replacing the clips:
When you press on the membrane it gives as before and eventually the springs start to extend but not be a lot. In the real world you would have the foam taking some of the pressure and your weight would be well spread. I'm cough, cough about 84Kg in driving clothing and I don't think I'm going to be extending these springs much at all (ie very little gain).
So my first thoughts were to extend the springs with some extra clips but everything was just too slack. So I then thought what happens if I only use 2 springs instead of 4?
The springs removed are in the middle of the seat. Now when you press on it the membrane moves a lot more as it's not so restrained and the rear springs open too as there are now only 2 rather than 4. I tried putting the foam back on and sitting in the seat and while it feels odd without the backrest, my nether regions were much closer to the floor.
So should I rebuild the seat with just 2 springs? I could always add the 2nd pair later on if it feels wrong. Clearly everything bends a lot more with just 2 springs rather than 4 clips but my impression is that the 2 bits of metal fore and aft in the membrane are quite springy and up to the strain. I plan to recover the cushion in the next couple of day so would appreciate any thoughts on 2 springs versus 4.
Richard
1.8i Mk2 Solar Red, 16 inch square spoke wheels, MGFMania hood with zip-in glass rear window, DRLs, Kmaps ECU, Pipercross panel air filter, MGOC Supersports back box & some cockpit bling