12-09-2018, 07:37 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17
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Seat rebuild
Just uncovered front seat bottom out of my '47 ford tudor sedan. The pictures are front, top and bottom view. How would you begin to repair? Can I assume all springs were originally vertical? Can I also assume the driver and passenger sides are constructed symmetrical? I plan to proceed by removing and reconstructing top frame, untangling and releasing spring tops only so I don't lose spring placement at the bottom. Reassemble with all the springs vertical and top frame symmetrical. Leave burlap socks as is. Has anybody done this and do you have any suggestions or shortcuts? Thanks in advance.
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12-09-2018, 08:12 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Napa,California
Posts: 6,037
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Re: Seat rebuild
All the springs were vertical. Start by checking all the coils and removing the broken ones. I'm sure you'll find most on the driver's side.
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12-09-2018, 08:26 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Marana, AZ
Posts: 1,194
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Re: Seat rebuild
your first post shows the drivers side collapsed?? I'd start there. I brazed the broken ones on mine, being careful not to set anything on fire!!! Turned out as good as new....thankfully.
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12-15-2018, 09:54 AM | #4 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Encino California, near Burbank
Posts: 935
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Re: Seat rebuild
Quote:
Years ago I worked part time in a cut-rate shop that mostly did work for the young people in Burbank. nearly all from vintage cars. Along with convert top tear-off, I would strip and clean old seats. At that time I would remove and repocket the cushions. Any broken coil was replaced as we had replacements in stock. the lines of springs were hogringed back in lines and the structure replaced and repaired. I've seen too many seats built on worn out cushions, only to fail and the various wires come through well crafted covers. One recent example is the leather seat in the Tom Medley (Stroker) '40 fire rebuild where wire came through the cover, out the side of an otherwise great job. You just can't hide that poor workmanship. My current problem is also cushions that are not available repop. Luckily springs are. I know that '47 seat. Split backs are pretty common and the back rests are more bite size and easier to do without a great table to work on. The cushions take the beating and will require the most attention. The burlap pockets will probably crumble as you work and should be measured carefully before stripping. Sewing and trimming is not that difficult, but fear of thee machine will be a costly weakness. Good Luck: Fred A |
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12-15-2018, 04:15 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,950
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Re: Seat rebuild
Before installing my LeBarron Bonney upholstery kit I redid the seats by sewing up new pockets out of burlap and hog ringing the coils in place. Luckily no coils were broken. I found the biggest asset was to take plenty of close up photos for reassembly and be patient.
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12-15-2018, 07:13 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 16,436
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Re: Seat rebuild
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Snyder's still makes new spring boxes for those that want all new ones. |
12-24-2018, 09:56 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Encino California, near Burbank
Posts: 935
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Re: Seat rebuild
19Fordy: Looks like the same coupe seat that I have spread out on the garage floor. I need a picture of the backrest springs to confirm that I have the correct one. I have two good sets of wood that seem like '40s but they are different in the back slats. By the slope of the rails, they both appear correct. The covers are going to be vinyl in a color reasonably close to original. I really need to get fluent in pictures myself. Thanks: Fred A
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12-24-2018, 12:21 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Coral Springs FL
Posts: 10,950
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Re: Seat rebuild
Fred: Here's "pictures of the 1940 coupe seat photos" I took in 1988. It appeared to me that headliner material had been previously used to re-upholster the seat. I say this as the seat material was "plain Jane" unlike the Lebaron Bonney kit. The same material had been used to cover the package shelf. Maybe they will help a little more.
Last edited by 19Fordy; 12-24-2018 at 12:26 PM. |
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