North American Turbocoupe Organization



Bent seat bolster
JohnOsborn Offline
Junior Member
#1
So I'm looking at an 87 TC with a red interior and the left bolster on the driver's seat is bent down, towards flat, as if a large driver tended to sit on it rather than next to it. How would somebody go about fixing this? Can the bolster be bent back, or replacement seat frame parts sourced? Any chance of finding an unbent replacement seat?

Thanks!
John
Reply

anasazi4st Offline
Senior Member
#2
(05-17-2019, 03:35 PM)JohnOsborn Wrote: So I'm looking at an 87 TC with a red interior and the left bolster on the driver's seat is bent down, towards flat, as if a large driver tended to sit on it rather than next to it. How would somebody go about fixing this? Can the bolster be bent back, or replacement seat frame parts sourced? Any chance of finding an unbent replacement seat?

Thanks!
John

I know of a parts car in Tucson (about 120 miles southeast of Phoenix) that had a complete drivers’s seat in red upholstery and trim. However obviously the cost of shipping it to you would be very high; but it is a complete seat, so you would have extra parts in case you needed them later. I doubt the salvage yard’s owner would be willing to part the seat out (disassemble it), and if so the added labor cost—if there was one—might make it cost prohibitive as well.

The seat was there around Christmastime, when I was there and purchased the engine from that same car; I have no idea if it’s still there or even if the car is. (I really need to get back down there and get some hard to find parts off it, as I worry it will eventually meet with the crusher.)

If you’ve never had a TC seat apart, it’s a fairy easy repair. IIRC there are 2 Torx bolts that secure the upright back section to the seat bottom. The upholstery must be removed, easily done but the hog rings (sharp curved 16 gauge steel wire pieces) have to be bent back to release it, which can be a chore. Ford’s shop manual (Part I of II Volume B), is a big help with its illustrations.

I would advise waiting to see what kind of responses you receive here; send me a PM if you want the salvage yard’s info.
Another proud dues-paying member.

1987 Turbo Coupe w/T5OD, 8.8 axle, grey smoke; most options. Got it in 1991 with 41K miles: 3 turbos, 2 heater cores, 3 T5OD full rebuilds, 6 clutches, 1 head gasket, 2 Teves II ABS units, etc. later....
Reply

JohnOsborn Offline
Junior Member
#3
(05-18-2019, 08:41 PM)anasazi4st Wrote:
(05-17-2019, 03:35 PM)JohnOsborn Wrote: So I'm looking at an 87 TC with a red interior and the left bolster on the driver's seat is bent down, towards flat, as if a large driver tended to sit on it rather than next to it. How would somebody go about fixing this? Can the bolster be bent back, or replacement seat frame parts sourced? Any chance of finding an unbent replacement seat?

Thanks!
John

I know of a parts car in Tucson (about 120 miles southeast of Phoenix) that had a complete drivers’s seat in red upholstery and trim. However obviously the cost of shipping it to you would be very high; but it is a complete seat, so you would have extra parts in case you needed them later. I doubt the salvage yard’s owner would be willing to part the seat out (disassemble it), and if so the added labor cost—if there was one—might make it cost prohibitive as well.

The seat was there around Christmastime, when I was there and purchased the engine from that same car; I have no idea if it’s still there or even if the car is. (I really need to get back down there and get some hard to find parts off it, as I worry it will eventually meet with the crusher.)

If you’ve never had a TC seat apart, it’s a fairy easy repair. IIRC there are 2 Torx bolts that secure the upright back section to the seat bottom. The upholstery must be removed, easily done but the hog rings (sharp curved 16 gauge steel wire pieces) have to be bent back to release it, which can be a chore. Ford’s shop manual (Part I of II Volume B), is a big help with its illustrations.

I would advise waiting to see what kind of responses you receive here; send me a PM if you want the salvage yard’s info.

Thanks very much, this gives me a lot of insight.

The car in question has been on sale multiple times, and this isn't the only thing wrong with it, so for the moment I'm inclined to sit this one out but if I change my mind I'll definitely be in touch. Thanks again.
Reply

anasazi4st Offline
Senior Member
#4
(05-18-2019, 09:24 PM)You JohnOsborn Wrote:
(05-18-2019, 08:41 PM)anasazi4st Wrote:
(05-17-2019, 03:35 PM)JohnOsborn Wrote: So I'm looking at an 87 TC with a red interior and the left bolster on the driver's seat is bent down, towards flat, as if a large driver tended to sit on it rather than next to it. How would somebody go about fixing this? Can the bolster be bent back, or replacement seat frame parts sourced? Any chance of finding an unbent replacement seat?

Thanks!
John

I know of a parts car in Tucson (about 120 miles southeast of Phoenix) that had a complete drivers’s seat in red upholstery and trim. However obviously the cost of shipping it to you would be very high; but it is a complete seat, so you would have extra parts in case you needed them later. I doubt the salvage yard’s owner would be willing to part the seat out (disassemble it), and if so the added labor cost—if there was one—might make it cost prohibitive as well.

The seat was there around Christmastime, when I was there and purchased the engine from that same car; I have no idea if it’s still there or even if the car is. (I really need to get back down there and get some hard to find parts off it, as I worry it will eventually meet with the crusher.)

If you’ve never had a TC seat apart, it’s a fairy easy repair. IIRC there are 2 Torx bolts that secure the upright back section to the seat bottom. The upholstery must be removed, easily done but the hog rings (sharp curved 16 gauge steel wire pieces) have to be bent back to release it, which can be a chore. Ford’s shop manual (Part I of II Volume B), is a big help with its illustrations.

I would advise waiting to see what kind of responses you receive here; send me a PM if you want the salvage yard’s info.

Thanks very much, this gives me a lot of insight.

The car in question has been on sale multiple times, and this isn't the only thing wrong with it, so for the moment I'm inclined to sit this one out but if I change my mind I'll definitely be in touch. Thanks again.

I can understand how life often gets in the way of what we want—perhaps in this case, car repairs we want to make happen. As the expression goes—been there, got the hand stamp.

Just be aware that sadly there is a time element involved. I used to frequently remind myself that I did not own a newer car, one that has parts readily available. Oftentimes I must balance the purchase of a part that perhaps I don’t really need right now with the realization that it might not be available later on, when I do.
Another proud dues-paying member.

1987 Turbo Coupe w/T5OD, 8.8 axle, grey smoke; most options. Got it in 1991 with 41K miles: 3 turbos, 2 heater cores, 3 T5OD full rebuilds, 6 clutches, 1 head gasket, 2 Teves II ABS units, etc. later....
Reply





Users browsing this thread:
1 Guest(s)



Theme © iAndrew 2018 - Software MyBB