Premature wear on Seat

[98TXRed]

After reading about the premature wear on the leather seats, I have been very careful getting in and out of my car (1998, 56,000 miles). Image my horror and disgust to notice that in spite of all my precautions, there is a small hole wore in the side of the driver’s seat. I know that there is a Service Bulletin (99-08-50-010) concerning this issue, but that only means that the problem is acknowledged, not fixed under any type of warranty. Barring replacing the seat at some ungodly price, is there any fix that can be done that will look half-way decent?

Personally, I’m thinking black duct tape. Just kidding, but I am disgusted that America’s only real sport’s car has such poor quality.

 

[HOTMOTORSPORTS]

Every C5 I've owned has had the same problem. I've got a 2000 with the same problem with 44,000 miles on it. I just ordered the replacement seat cover and it was about 150.00. Like you, I thought it would be much more. When it was still under warranty, the Corvette rep told me it was my fault because I was rubbing against the bolster. I haven't been able to figure out how to get into these without doing that unless you use the steering wheel to pull you away from the seat and sit gently in the middle - give me a break!!!

The cover can be replaced without taking the seat out. It takes about an hour.

Chuck

 

[99WhiteC5Coupe]

98TXRed,

I agree! The quality and reliability of the C5 leather seat covers are terrible.

The seat covers on my 1999 C5 coupe with the "extra cost" sport seats were replaced under the new car warranty at 16,240 miles. Now at 28,000 miles, the covers are showing too much wear. I take excellent care of the car and seats, and use Lexol leather conditioner.

The car is used for long drives and trips - not "everyday" driving. I can't imagine how bad the seats would look if the car was used as a daily driver.

It is a shame when you order/pay extra for a seat upgrade and the quality is poor.

 

[MikeP]

Chuck, who did you oder your seats from? I have a 98 coupe and have the same side bolster and side seat panel wear problem. I am also have a worn out seat cushion/foam pad. Feels like I'm sitting in a hole when I drive for more that 15 minutes. I ahve seen seat covers advertized in Mid America cataloge for $800.00 a pair. Kinda steep. I have the sport seats, would that jack up the price?

Thanks for help

Mike P.

 

[HOTMOTORSPORTS]

The 97's, 98's had thin padding on the seat cushion. I couldn't believe the difference sitting in my 2000. They were also suppose to have thicker leather trying to take care of the pre-mature wear, but I didn't see that.

I bought just the replacement upper cover. I'm sorry if I gave the impression both the top and bottom seat cover were that price. It came from the GM Dealer I work for. Remember that Chevrolet considers the seat cover as 2 parts per seat (upper and lower).

I also have the sport seats. The covers were less money than before and I have the feeling that GM lowered the price to keep our mouths shut!

I would try your GM dealer and make sure you get the pad from the 2000 and up. Coming from GM, the cover peices can be ordered separately and would in the end be more cost effective. The covers will be the newer covers. The lower cover is a bit more time to replace and requires hog ring pliers. I just took my time and kept the passenger side as an example.

I didn't have to replace the driver's bottom or the complete passenger. I chose to because I was sick of getting burnt with the black seats in the sun. I went to pewter.

Hope this helped.

Chuck

 

[98TXRed]

Thanks for all the input, guys. I'm sorry that we're all having the same problem (strange, isn't it). I'll talk the the dealer the next time I'm in there.

By the way, is it very have to replace the top seat (the bottom is ok)?

 

[MikeP]

seat wear

Chuck, thats for the info, I'll contact my guy at the dealership about purchasing both top and both seats pieces and the 2000+ seat pad. You would think that they would get it right from the get go. No mater what the problems, we still have the most desired american sports car. Took me 40 years to get my first, now I won't be without one.

Thanks again for the info

Mike P.
98 coupe

 

[TODD L GRIFFITH]

Premature Seat Wear

I have the same problem with my 99, @ 40,000 mi. I had to get the sewing kit out, and repair it with heavy black thread. You may also use a black marker to color in any white nylon showing through. It does a very good job of hiding it. This has held up so far, but who knows. I also have moved the seat back before getting out. You may even consider changing the side you put your wallet in your back pocket.

 

[TLY-BAMA]

I was having the same driver side wear problem so i swapped the driver/passenger upper halves. Passenger side was like new and the wear on the driver side is reversed from what normally would wear on the passenger side. Should last me another 20,000 miles since that's what is on the car now. Works for me.

 

[DkBG]

Tly-Bama , that sounds like a great idea to me as my drivers side is just starting to show this wear . How hard is it to change them ? Cliff

 

[TLY-BAMA]

Tly-Bama , that sounds like a great idea to me as my drivers side is just starting to show this wear . How hard is it to change them ? Cliff

Cliff i should have said "I had it swapped out". The body shop manager of my local dealer is a good friend and i had the seats swapped out the same time a had the brake calipers painted. He said it didn't take much time and he didn't charge me. Like I said this was the top half (back support, not the seat part). All remote seats function including the lumbar in the top half.

 

[DkBG]

Thanks Bama , maybe someone else will respond to this . Cliff

 

[danl72]

I am having the same problem. It kinds of gets to you to see that happen. No matter how well you take care of your Vette it is going to happen.

 

[vetu4ya]

I'm a new member posting my first reply.

I had problems with torn leather on my C4. To avoid same on my '99, I installed seat protectors from Mid America. The black ones (my color) look good and always seem to be on sale.

 

[RDRIIC5]

Seat Bolster Wear

I have the same wear as you all. I special ordered the top sport seat cover kit online at GM Parts Direct. Let me know if anyone needs info.

 

[motorman]

if you are talking about wear on the edge of the side bolster i removed the cover and covered the sharp edge of the plastic with a piece if spilt lengthwise soft plastic tubing (tygon) from lowes. i held it in place with racer tape. solved the problem

 

[97RedCorvette]

Mid America Designs sells a seat bolster bikini for $49 (the pair) that works very well and doesn't change the stock look of the interior. They're only available in black and attach quickly. Check it out at:

http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=1.66

 

[rwd]

Actually, TSB's do typically offer 'correction' methods, and the original TSB did contain instructions to replace the covers for affected cars.


http://corvetteactioncenter.com/kb/question.php?qstId=272


Whether they'd do it now under an extended warranty, I don't know. Other than slipcovers or Okoles, there are some ways to minimize wear, like retracting the seat, using the 'easy out' (where available) or sitting on the seat bottom and rotating in rather than sliding across. FWIW.

 

[cigar38usa]

I have no wear showing on my 99, which has 70k miles. My guess is my entry and exit method. Tail first then swing feet in during entry, reverse it upon exit. I find that if I try to enter the conventional way, my butt hits the lumbar support every time. I have to admit my 85 was easier, even with the high sill. And yes, the butt is the same size as before.