Joined
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264 Posts
I have always found the seats on my 88 Grad to be very uncomfortable, mainly because they lack lumbar support. It doesn't take long for my back to ache when riding in my Alfa.
This winter I decided to work on the seats in general, and lumbar support was on the list. I purchased a new foam bottom cushion from IAP, and a vinyl set of seat covers.
The back of the seats simply slides off after removing 2 Philips head screws near the bottom, so no major surgery is required to do this.
To address the lower back support I picked up a set of springs from the hardware store:
And a piece of shelving rod:
After taking a few measurements I created this complex welding jig
When I was done I had fabbed up this piece:
I attached some foam to it (it is very stiff foam, it was covering the floor of a gymnastics gym):
Then I attached the assembly to the seat as shown using hose clamps to secure the springs to the seat frame:
I made the assembly ½” less than the width of the seat frame so that the springs would be preloaded.
Assembly was easy, I opened up the hose clamps until the springs slipped on easily, then tightened the hose clamps to stretch the springs.
I haven’t been able drive the car yet since it’s laid up for the winter, but the seat seems to be very comfortable now.
This winter I decided to work on the seats in general, and lumbar support was on the list. I purchased a new foam bottom cushion from IAP, and a vinyl set of seat covers.
The back of the seats simply slides off after removing 2 Philips head screws near the bottom, so no major surgery is required to do this.
To address the lower back support I picked up a set of springs from the hardware store:

And a piece of shelving rod:

After taking a few measurements I created this complex welding jig

When I was done I had fabbed up this piece:

I attached some foam to it (it is very stiff foam, it was covering the floor of a gymnastics gym):


Then I attached the assembly to the seat as shown using hose clamps to secure the springs to the seat frame:

I made the assembly ½” less than the width of the seat frame so that the springs would be preloaded.
Assembly was easy, I opened up the hose clamps until the springs slipped on easily, then tightened the hose clamps to stretch the springs.
I haven’t been able drive the car yet since it’s laid up for the winter, but the seat seems to be very comfortable now.