Hi all, I'm looking for tips on removing the drivers seat base and replacing the foam insert ( purchased from sponsor Duckworths of course ) ... Whole seat out, or can I avoid the electrics / airbag issues? 2008 TD4 ripe for mods

I knew I'd seen it on here somewhere.
http://www.freel2.com/forum/topic14102.htm...p;start=60
 Past: FL2 TD4 HSE Auto
Evoque SD4 Dynamic Lux Auto
Present: Audi A3 S Line.

Whilst I can't add info on the nuts and bolts aspect I would advise that you start by undoing the battery and waiting say 10 minutes before starting.
This is to allow the airbag electronics to loose all charge.
.
I would guess that there is a pressure sensor in the seat foam that tells the airbag system that the seat is occupied and that you WILL have to disconnect it. there is certainly a detector for bodyweight to sound the alarm if you havnt clipped the seatbelt on
.
Ive had a look at the Freelander Airbag wiring diagrams and there is some form of seat occupancy detector mentioned and a 'mat belt minder' but its not clear to me what may or may not be fitted to a UK spec car. It may be that the pressure detector tells you to use the seatbelt and thus the 'fastened seat belt' is the bit that arms the airbag circuit.
.
I made the mistake some years ago in changing a car door without disconnecting the battery, I then needed to have a guy to reset the airbag circuit because I had unknowingly disconnected the door side impact pressure sensor of the airbag circuit.
.
Hope this helps.
.
Kind regards from Fred 2010GS Auto ex Celeb, Santorini Black, 2011 facelift , spoiler, spats, mudflaps, LED footwell lamps, Witter detach,
Other cars:-
1958 & 1959 Austin J40 Pedal Cars under restoration (I make many J40 parts)
If you have an Austin J40 or Pathfinder Pedal Car looking for a new home pls PM me.
2009 Meriva

Last edited by fredastaire on 8th Feb 2014 4:29 pm. Edited 1 time in total

The seat squab can be removed without taking the whole seat out - as per Mav71's write-up. There are two 10mm bolts under the front edge holding the seat to the frame. If yours is an HSE you will need to remove the front finisher first. There is only one electrical connection on the driver seat squab, a green plug for the seat heater. No airbag issues. There are other cables that will need to be unclipped though. Once out, the squab can be turned upside down to remove the cover. Start at the front by unclipping the plastic tangs that engage with the seat pan. Finish by removing the black u-section strip from the seat pan at the rear. The seat cover is held and shaped to the foam by metal 'O' rings which will need to be opened up with pliers to release. (When refitting use plastic cable ties - much easier). The seat heater can be removed without damage from the old foam if you are careful. I used a Palette knife to press down on the foam rather than pull the heater mat up. Use Copydex or similar to glue the heater mat to the new foam. Re-assembly and refitting is a reverse of removal "as they say". Good luck!
Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Last edited by dunkley201 on 8th Feb 2014 7:11 pm. Edited 2 times in total

Well written Bob, your script is nice and definitive for other forum members reading in the future.
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Kind regards from Fred
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Thank you Fred. I dashed that off quickly before going out. Thinking of it was like I did the job last week..... Come to think of it, so I did! I also sewed in a new faux leather side panel, but that is another story....
Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

That's why I love this forum!!! Thanks for all the advice, will attack the seat squab as soon as the weather drops below 40 degrees..... No need for seat heaters in OZ!  2008 TD4 ripe for mods

Lucky! Here in UK we do NOT want to know about 40 degrees etc! You really know how to pi** a guy off!  10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

A toss of the coin.... driving rain and some flooding or 40 degree heat and bush fires ... Who said the weather is changing??? grin 2008 TD4 ripe for mods

Guys - I need to remove the drivers seat for a small mod - and whilst I have seen the posts that point to the bolts etc - are the plastic covers held on in a special way?

They seem well secured and i do not want to pull / tug for fear of breaking these - Any hints on removing these - Pics welcome

Hugh Disco 3 HSE

Defender Puma 110

Freelander 2 HSE

v40mav - I have just looked at the HSE and SE I have parked up outside. Where the SE has just "space" between the inner and outer rails, the HSE has a steel plate on to which the finisher panel is attached. Slide the seat well forward, and underneath you will see 2 x philips screw heads each side, head down, at a 45 degree angle. It looks like these secure the plate and finisher. They will also secure some electrical items, but this will become more clear when you remove them. Hope this helps.... Let us know how you get on!
Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

fredastaire wrote:

Whilst I can't add info on the nuts and bolts aspect I would advise that you start by undoing the battery and waiting say 10 minutes before starting.
This is to allow the airbag electronics to loose all charge.
.
I would guess that there is a pressure sensor in the seat foam that tells the airbag system that the seat is occupied and that you WILL have to disconnect it. there is certainly a detector for bodyweight to sound the alarm if you havnt clipped the seatbelt on
.
Ive had a look at the Freelander Airbag wiring diagrams and there is some form of seat occupancy detector mentioned and a 'mat belt minder' but its not clear to me what may or may not be fitted to a UK spec car. It may be that the pressure detector tells you to use the seatbelt and thus the 'fastened seat belt' is the bit that arms the airbag circuit.
.
I made the mistake some years ago in changing a car door without disconnecting the battery, I then needed to have a guy to reset the airbag circuit because I had unknowingly disconnected the door side impact pressure sensor of the airbag circuit.
.
Hope this helps.
.
Kind regards from Fred

dunkley201 wrote:

v40mav - I have just looked at the HSE and SE I have parked up outside. Where the SE has just "space" between the inner and outer rails, the HSE has a steel plate on to which the finisher panel is attached. Slide the seat well forward, and underneath you will see 2 x philips screw heads each side, head down, at a 45 degree angle. It looks like these secure the plate and finisher. They will also secure some electrical items, but this will become more clear when you remove them. Hope this helps.... Let us know how you get on!
Bob

What I called the "finisher" is what you call the "plastic cover". You don't need to go anywhere near the front runner/bolt. That stays fitted. The bolts to remove the seat base are under the seat front lip and go "up" into the seat base. You can get at these once the front plastic cover/finisher is removed as above.
Bob 10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

Bob thanks for the reply. I perhaps didn't explain it right at the start. It is this bit and the runner bolt that needs to come out temporally to get.

I'm not sure how to get access o the runnrt bolt. The cover/ finisher is in way and I do not want to force removing it is there is an easy way to do so.

Thanks again for all your guidance. Disco 3 HSE

Defender Puma 110

Freelander 2 HSE