Broken seat back - cheap fix

Ler · 03-01-2008, 03:09 PM

This all happened last month; whilst reaching into my pocket for my wallet, my fat ass managed to push hard enough on the drivers seat to cause the seat back map pocket to burst.

Thanks to silvrqtro for an excellent write-up on repairing the clips using the factory repair kit.

Called the local dealership for a price quote. $38 plus a 2 day wait? No thanks.

So, I give you Ler's cheap fix:
Follow silvrqtro's directions on removing the seat back. Then, fish around until you find the fragments of the broken clips. Go to your local hobby store and pick up a bottle of solvent to weld ABS plastic. $4.19, tax included.

The instructions state to hold the two pieces to be joined firmly together, and apply sparangly to the joint, letting the solvent penetrate the joint by capillarity. This doesn't work- I tried this first and the clips broke off immediately when I tried to reinstall.

Instead, brush a small amount on the both sides of the crack face; wait a litle bit for the stuff to soften the plastic. Then, press the broken pieces back together and wiggle it a tad to make sure the glued surfaces are making good, intimate contact. You should see a tiny little bit of softened, gooey plastic ooze out of the joint if you do this correctly; it's kind of hard to see in this photo.

Do this on both of the broken tabs, and let it set overnight.

Reinstall using silvrqtro's instructions.

Been installed for over a week now without problems, although I'm certainly more careful about putting too much force on the seat back.

Probably won't last as long as the metal repair kit brackets, but hey, solvent's cheap if I need to repair again.

A4darkness · 03-01-2008, 03:21 PM

A4Driver · 03-02-2008, 01:04 PM

What a bunch of crooks. I will now attempt to repair it myself. Thanks for the writeup.
.
.
.
.

ben gt/cs · 03-02-2008, 09:30 PM

Ler · 03-02-2008, 10:43 PM

$100 is ridiculous, especially for repairs on a faulty part design.

03-01-2008, 03:09 PM	#1
Ler Junior Member Account #: 48684 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 799	Broken seat back - cheap fix This all happened last month; whilst reaching into my pocket for my wallet, my fat ass managed to push hard enough on the drivers seat to cause the seat back map pocket to burst. Thanks to silvrqtro for an excellent write-up on repairing the clips using the factory repair kit. Called the local dealership for a price quote. $38 plus a 2 day wait? No thanks. So, I give you Ler's cheap fix: Follow silvrqtro's directions on removing the seat back. Then, fish around until you find the fragments of the broken clips. Go to your local hobby store and pick up a bottle of solvent to weld ABS plastic. $4.19, tax included. The instructions state to hold the two pieces to be joined firmly together, and apply sparangly to the joint, letting the solvent penetrate the joint by capillarity. This doesn't work- I tried this first and the clips broke off immediately when I tried to reinstall. Instead, brush a small amount on the both sides of the crack face; wait a litle bit for the stuff to soften the plastic. Then, press the broken pieces back together and wiggle it a tad to make sure the glued surfaces are making good, intimate contact. You should see a tiny little bit of softened, gooey plastic ooze out of the joint if you do this correctly; it's kind of hard to see in this photo. Do this on both of the broken tabs, and let it set overnight. Reinstall using silvrqtro's instructions. Been installed for over a week now without problems, although I'm certainly more careful about putting too much force on the seat back. Probably won't last as long as the metal repair kit brackets, but hey, solvent's cheap if I need to repair again. __________________ Dent mod courtesy of some turd with a yellow car Now with homemade iPod Nano Cradle! Broken seat-back map holder?

03-01-2008, 03:21 PM	#2
A4darkness Member Account #: 55993 Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 2,065	Good to know. __________________ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The switch to vB = FAIL I am now at: q u a t t r o w o r l d . c o m Installs: Alpine Head Unit \| Blackout Grills \| RS4 Rear Sway Bar \| Strat Short Shifter \| Delsa Rear Spoiler \| Retro Solutions HIDs \| * Comments may be peppered with sarcasm which are only intended for good times, never maliciousness.

03-02-2008, 01:04 PM	#3
A4Driver Senior Member Account #: 1391 Join Date: Mar 2000 Posts: 1,888	My dealership told me it would cost $100 to replace the clips. What a bunch of crooks. I will now attempt to repair it myself. Thanks for the writeup. . . . . __________________ Now: 2009 Premium Plus, 2.0T, Quattro, Tip, Sport, Deep Sea Blue Pearl -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Then: 2002 3.0, Sport, Quattro, Manual, Denim Blue Pearl 1996 2.8 Manual, Quattro, Emerald Mica

03-02-2008, 09:30 PM	#4
ben gt/cs AudiWorld Super User Account #: 29885 Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 5,232	set it, and FORGET IT!!!!! __________________ ----------------------- 08 White Mustang GT/CS 4.6L 300hp 06 Black SS Trailblazer AWD 391hp/395lbs/tq Chevy LS2 6L (gone!) Previous: Brilliant Black 02 A4 1.8T (sold 07/07!) more problems than you can imagine Location: Chi town... you f*ckin' skank!

03-02-2008, 10:43 PM	#5
Ler Junior Member Account #: 48684 Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 799	Jeebus, what a bunch of clowns $100 is ridiculous, especially for repairs on a faulty part design. __________________ Dent mod courtesy of some turd with a yellow car Now with homemade iPod Nano Cradle! Broken seat-back map holder?

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode


Discussion Forums:	Advanced Search