Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Seatbacks Repaired

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
Post Reply
User avatar
BumpyZ4
Member
Member
Posts: 589
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2020 8:05 pm
Location: New Orleans, LA USA

Seatbacks Repaired

Post by BumpyZ4 » Fri Jun 18, 2021 1:03 am

My 2003 3.0 had the typical seatback falling off problem. Over the last few weeks when I had time I repaired the seatbacks with fiberglass and resin and recovered them in Alcantara. I also ditched the plastic pins at the bottom of the seatback and used spring nuts and screws for a more secure install.

The hardest part was removing and installing the net which wasn't meant to be removed! Heat gun and some pliers got it off then I had to make a tool to melt the pegs back in. Gotta love BMW!
Attachments
Seatback crack.jpg
Seatback crack.jpg (133.12 KiB) Viewed 466 times
seatback Repaired.jpg
seatback Repaired.jpg (289.28 KiB) Viewed 466 times
Net.jpg
Net.jpg (75.76 KiB) Viewed 466 times
Seatback Hardware.jpg
Seatback Hardware.jpg (184.16 KiB) Viewed 466 times
Seat 1.jpg
Seat 1.jpg (160.01 KiB) Viewed 466 times
Seatback int.jpg
Seatback int.jpg (238.6 KiB) Viewed 466 times
seat back finished.jpg
seat back finished.jpg (165.89 KiB) Viewed 466 times
2003 E85 3.0i Sterling Gray
KLR 650
Diva Roadster (Kit Car)

User avatar
oldgitdave
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 1505
Joined: Sun Jul 30, 2017 8:47 pm
Location: Derbyshire

Seatbacks Repaired

Post by oldgitdave » Fri Jun 18, 2021 8:13 am

BumpyZ4 wrote: Fri Jun 18, 2021 1:03 am My 2003 3.0 had the typical seatback falling off problem. Over the last few weeks when I had time I repaired the seatbacks with fiberglass and resin and recovered them in Alcantara. I also ditched the plastic pins at the bottom of the seatback and used spring nuts and screws for a more secure install.

The hardest part was removing and installing the net which wasn't meant to be removed! Heat gun and some pliers got it off then I had to make a tool to melt the pegs back in. Gotta love BMW!
That looks like a really neat job. Well done :thumbsup: .
Mine's been falling off ever since I bought the car. I keep bodging it but I think you've given me the inspiration to get a more permanent job done. Thanks!
Zedless :(

e85van
Member
Member
Posts: 72
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2023 3:20 pm
Location: canada

Seatbacks Repaired

Post by e85van » Thu Jan 18, 2024 3:09 pm

Old thread I know - but I’m doing the same job. Wondering what you might have used to re-install the net on the seat-back. I was thinking of filing each of the hollow areas in the net mounts with epoxy then drilling out a small hole in each and securing from the back with screws/washers. I also thought about just using hot glue from the back side (or a combination of both).

Let me know what you used and how well it has worked.
2003 e85
3.0i M54
Sterling Grey 472
Image

User avatar
BumpyZ4
Member
Member
Posts: 589
Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2020 8:05 pm
Location: New Orleans, LA USA

Seatbacks Repaired

Post by BumpyZ4 » Fri Jan 19, 2024 12:14 am

What I did was take a small steel rod, ground a point on it, and attached a "T" nut (you could use a washer). I then heated it with a propane torch and then inserted into the net's plastic nubs that hold it on to the back. It worked great and they almost look factory.
Attachments
net.jpg
net.jpg (111.99 KiB) Viewed 201 times
tool 2.jpg
tool 2.jpg (64.5 KiB) Viewed 201 times
Tool.jpg
Tool.jpg (64.19 KiB) Viewed 201 times
2003 E85 3.0i Sterling Gray
KLR 650
Diva Roadster (Kit Car)

e85van
Member
Member
Posts: 72
Joined: Thu Feb 16, 2023 3:20 pm
Location: canada

Seatbacks Repaired

Post by e85van » Fri Jan 19, 2024 2:33 am

Great idea!! Wish I would have take pics but I elected to fill the hollow areas of each drilled out plastic mount with a thickened epoxy. The I drilled and tapped the epoxy so it could accept a small screw. It all of the plastic attachments lent themselves to this approach. In those instances, I filed (and overfilled) the hollow attachment with contractor grade hot glue. I’ll take pics tomo and, if I can figure out how to post them, I will.

Best,
E85van
2003 e85
3.0i M54
Sterling Grey 472
Image

Post Reply