Sport Seat Question

[Dougs91]

My 91's sport seats are having a bladder problem. I've pulled the bottom seat and where the lines hookup to a "coupler" a few have broken off. Is this coupler something I can buy somewhere,or is it even needed(could I just bypass it and hook the lines together)?? Thanks

 

[6speeder]

Here is a link to MAD for sport seat components: http://www.madvet.com/shop?frame=3.6084

If the nipples are broken from the air diverter, they could still be in the tubes, or on the carpet. If so, you might try gluing (http://www.gorillaglue.com/gGlue.html) them back to the diverter. Each tube is directed to a bladder. Mating all the tubes together would preclude you from releasing air from a specific bladder to suit your comfort (no big deal). I just fill the bladders until I am comfortable, and leave any adjustment alone. Make sure the pump still works by placing your finger over the outlets and feeling for air flow when the switch is activated. If the pump is not functioning, and you know there is 12V to the pump, you will have to replace the diaphragm in the pump (a simple job using an old bicycle inner tube (much more durable than a rubber glove) as the replacement diagphram). If needed, I can take you through the simple replacement steps without removing the pump housing.

 

[Dougs91]

6speeder- The lines did break with about a 1/4 in. within the tubing so I'll try to pull them out and glue back on the diverter. The rest of the system is in good shape. BTW thanks for the link and the response.

 

[6speeder]

The rest of the system is in good shape.

That's good, but you might check to see why the connections broke off. Was it because of careless cleaning under the seat, have the tubes been shortened not allowing free movement of the seat, does the seat track clear the tubes when it is moved, etc.? There is no reason for the breakage unless through carelessness, modifications, or placement of the tubes. If you are going to try to glue the pieces together, you might insert a pin, brad, wire, etc., in the hole to ensure that the glue does not restrict the air passage, then remove it after the glue sets. After the are pieces glued together, and before you attempt to replace the tubes, you might expose the tube ends to heat, ie, boiling water, or direct heat from a hair dryer over the ends. This will soften the tube ends, and aid in replacing the tubes over the 'fragile' nipples.

 

[badabing9]

i have an 88 with the sport seats. both bladders in both seats were not working when i bought the car. i found that the pump diaphram was shot under the drivers seat so, i rebuilt that (drivers side) with a piece from a standard rubber glove. i also found my vacumn lines were shot.

i went to my local parts store and purchased a few feet of vacumn line and some "in line" vacumn connectors and replaced all the lines under the drivers seat. i gave the bladder vac lines a little tug and they came down from behind the seat -back. aparently, they terminate into a "plastic block" of sorts and then plug into the bladder bag. i had to quit right there because i could not remove the seat back with enough confidence to be able to put it all back together again and since both seats are the same, i didn't mess with the passenger seat at all. good luck.

 

[Dougs91]

Again I want to thank all those for the replies. I'm going to remove the seat to get a real good look at the tube routing,and as 6speeder was saying,check to see if the tubes are being pulled,to short,etc. plus I can clean where few men have gone before! Now won't be able to do this for a few weeks so I'll post a new thread when done,maybe take a few pictures and post them too..Thanks again guys.

 

[redeasysport]

Mine were the same way plastic gets old and brittle. I went to autozone got some vacuum fittings that fit and joined the hoses together.They are color coded so you cant mix them up.End of problem