I am getting ready to recover my bucket seats and after removing the cover on my 1st seat I have 1 broken spring and 1 ready to break. Would I be better off replacing these with new bottoms from opgi or trying to repair originals?

 

Talk to member RAMBOW, he knows this stuff better than most.
ClassicOldsmobile.com - View Profile: RAMBOW

 

Repair what you have....the repro spring sets are TERRIBLE.

 

X3 on fixing your springs, much better choice unless they are just too far gone- but 9 times out of 10 you can replace a few individual springs for much cheaper than entirely new spring assemblies.

Let me know what do you need, i can hook you up.
I've got stuff out for building spring assemblies this weekend, so good time to catch me to make stuff.

 

Ben @RAMBOW
I need to redo my seat bottoms. Where do you source you materials? Or can I buy what you show and assemble on my own?
Thanks
TOM

 

Ben is the way to GO! He's got correct gauge wire springs, as well as everything else you may need to rebuild your seats, except for the covers and frames. He's a great guy, a great resource, and a great value! You can't go wrong hooking up with Ben for your seat rebuild project.

 

Hi Tom-
I have to buy in bulk from the manufacturer in order to get the GM sized medium loop spring. For whatever reason upholstery suppliers don't/wont stock them, instead they stock the small loop springs that were used in Fords and Mopars...
I'm actually down to my last 150ft roll of the 9ga spring so I need to find out if my contact even still works there to get me more. I think it was 2020 or 2021 when i ordered last.

Anyway- I have enough to make individual repair springs, just let me know what you need. Take a look at these diagrams to help ID what you need.

 

Ben,
My seats were in a convertible with no top before I picked it up. The seats are pretty rusty. The listing rods were pretty well eaten thru. Any "analysis" to decided if I should replace springs or not. I appreciate your time and expertise.
TOM

 

GM didn't paint their seat frames or springs, so SOME rust is 100% expected. Where it starts getting questionable is when the metal has been significantly whittled down by it... Even then, it isn't a huge deal except where the compression bends are. These are the "z" shaped bends at the fronts and sides that compress when you sit on the seat. If these are badly rusted and whittled down then its a broken spring waiting to happen.

Take a couple pics showing the springs and I can help ID if they are savable or not. **MOST** spring assemblies can be saved by splicing in a few replacements, but some really are too far gone and just need to be replaced 100%.

 

Ben,
Here's some pics
I have one seat pulled apart. More pics available



TOM

 

Tom, from what I can see there, it wouldn't bother my in the slightest. Fix the broken springs and run it.
Wire wheel and paint it, or have it blasted and powder coated. Those will be good for a long time to come.

 

Ben,
Thanks for direction. I sandblasted and painted rest of seats as they were no where as bad as these(hence my concern).
If I need a few things(springs and Listing rods) can you supply them? also should I upgrade to heavier springs on sides?
Thanks,
TOM

 

PM me here, and I can work with you on whatever you need.
I replace all the side supports on seats i do, even if they aren't broken simply because they are always the first to break. I like to replace them with 9ga springs which is a little stiffer than original.

-Ben