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View Full Version : DIY: Changing recaro bolsters. EASIER WAY.



CRXDEL501
14-05-2009, 07:34 PM
Disclaimer: The following is provided as a GUIDE ONLY, and neither myself nor Ozhonda take any responsibility for the outcomes of someone else doing the following. You follow these steps at your own risk!


Aim: To change damaged bolsters on recaros.

Required:
12mm socket
Flat head screwdriver
Replacement bolster foam. I bought mine from capital seating in the UK. If you do a google search for capital seating, you will find them.

Steps:

1. Firstly, you need to remove the seats. Its simly four bolts, as most ppl should know.

2. The bolster covers are kept in by small hooks under the seat which hold the edge of the cover. Carefully start levering the front edge of the bolster cover from the retaining hooks. These hooks are on the underside of the frame. I used a screwdriver, but be careful you dont break any of the hooks!

3. You then have to do the same with the hooks on the inside of the frame between the bolster and centre cushion. I dont like the hooks all that much! For the inside I just used my fingers.

4. Then just continue to take off the bolster cover to about 2/3rds of the way towards the back towards the seat, and just roll it a bit to expose the bolster foam. This was enough for me to pull the old foam out from the frame.

5. The next step involves positioning the bolster foam in place. Position it carefully, then simply roll the fabric back over the bolster. To make sure it fits well, and so there arent any creases, I massaged the cover a little bit while putting it back on.

6. Start attaching the hooks again, beginning at the front of the seat, and working back to the back of the seat.

Other comments: Just wanted to share this with everyone, for anyone that wants to give it a try. Just some ways i got told to do it. Instead of a link that was posted in a thread by vtecmachine about recaro seat covers.

Give this one a go :thumbsup:

If anyone needs any pics, please let me know, and ill get some as soon as I can. Just state which step you need a picture for and ill get it for you. Its pretty basic once the seat is out, to understand the steps!

Cheers.

VTECMACHINE
15-05-2009, 02:36 PM
Pwoar... that sounds like a MUCH easier way than the link I found.

Good work man! Pics of the new bolster installed!!!! :D

CRXDEL501
15-05-2009, 02:42 PM
ill try and get some tonight :D

munkaii
20-05-2009, 12:34 PM
subscribed. very interested!

CRXDEL501
24-05-2009, 10:12 PM
sorry for the delays in pics everyone.
been really busy but ill get some up in the next few days!

Neesmo31
26-05-2009, 04:01 PM
http://alexbentley.co.uk/car/recaro/recaro-intro.html

Thats a link to a step by step side bolster repair. I am currently in contact with a company in australia who do sell these bolsters and bolster covers, and hopefully i might be able to get a group buy happening if anyone would be interested.

CRXDEL501
26-05-2009, 05:36 PM
vtecmachine posted that link mate in a recaro seat cover thread. its a good find.
the way i have said is alot easier.. no one i dont think has been game enough to try the other way.

let me know if you have any further questions.

pm replied.

akira
02-06-2009, 04:32 PM
sounds easy.would deffinitely give it a try one day. nice write up mate!

sab0r
12-07-2009, 09:10 PM
full pics please! :D

jords
17-07-2009, 08:49 AM
pics ???

CRXDEL501
17-07-2009, 03:45 PM
ill defs get them up this weekend... keep saying and saying it.. just been heaps busy..
sorry everyone.

jords
22-07-2009, 08:42 PM
hehehehe.

Ashwee
22-07-2009, 10:46 PM
A great write up, but the replacement bolster is sort of a different shape to my seat.. are these universal?

Neesmo31
23-07-2009, 09:06 AM
I think that the foam shape is 40% the shape of the seat (if you can gather what im saying) the external skin - as long as the foam is larger than that of the outer skin, will compact in to give you a nice firm bolster. If the shape of the bolster was smaller than the skin than there is no possible way that the skin could pull over it tightly. Hopefully its larger?

Ashwee
23-07-2009, 10:08 AM
Thanks for that, I'll give it a go anyway. Can always shave the foam into shape if necessary I guess

Neesmo31
23-07-2009, 10:45 AM
I wouldnt shave the foam as when you wrap the outer skin on - if its too big (the foam) it will compress and give you a firm bolster. They say its fairly tricky to put the new bolsters in as you need to work the foam around and get the outer skin nice and tight over it. Keep at it and it will be back to standard in no time!

yellows2k
25-01-2010, 07:51 PM
yeh, i read this DIY, and also alexbentleys. this one is too vague and misses a lot of necessary steps which r important in replacing the bolster in a sr3 seat.
alex bentleys diy is also vague and i had to work a lot of steps out myself thru trial and error
i ordered 2 bolsters and a plastic side cover from capitalseating and went about installing it tonight, it took me and my brother just under 2 hours with all teh tools, with no knowledge and just following these 2 threads.
if i was to do it again, i reckon it would take me under an hour to do it again.
definately a "must do" diy for anyone that buys second hand recaros, u can extend the life out of the seats by many years.

xntrik
26-01-2010, 06:24 AM
Links to these recaro bolster sites. D:
are they the real deal or what?

yellows2k
26-01-2010, 09:50 AM
The links I'm referring to r for capitalseating, u can google them . Also I'm referring to this thread firstly in regards to it's lack of detail for a diy and I'm also referring to another thread from clubitr. Do a google search for "recaro bolster install" and the top hits r wat u want. Otherwise pm me and I can help u out. I'm gonna install another bolster in the next. Few days. I'll try and document it properly

xntrik
26-01-2010, 02:17 PM
Nah my recaro's are fine, but for future references ay!

THanks anyway

Neesmo31
27-01-2010, 06:14 AM
Idealseat. They are the go for buying anything genuine recaro.

yellows2k
27-01-2010, 07:08 AM
ideal seat r pretty good, but i found capital seating better on pricing and they responded quicker to my emails, delivery wasnt an issue either, i got my bolsters in 10 days

Neesmo31
27-01-2010, 07:15 AM
Nice. That company you are talking about its in england or something isnt it??

jks24
27-01-2010, 07:34 AM
Nice write up man

yellows2k
27-01-2010, 09:19 AM
capital is a uk company.

BIGTYM
11-08-2010, 03:03 PM
Anyone know a link with Pictures that still works. Can't find one.

munkaii
09-10-2010, 01:36 PM
how much does replacement fabrics cost? just wondering for those with worn fabrics who replaced bolsters, what were the results like?