does anyone know whether there is a special tool you have to use when fitting replacement seat straps to the underside of the passenger seat? They don't seem to stretch enough to fit to both edges of the seat so I suppose you either need a particular tool to stretch the straps or just a lot of strength?
Yes, they do require a lot of strength to stretch them enough to fit. I don't know of a special tool. At least the new straps seem to be strong enough to last quite a while, unlike the rubber diaphragms which broke within a few hundred miles.
Alex Holden - http://www.alexholden.net/
If it doesn't work, you're not hitting it with a big enough hammer.
Looks like the sort of thing you may be able to do by gripping the end with these "vise-grip" sheet metal grips or similar, and heaving-maybe easier by threading the strap so the loose end is under the rod rather than squashed between it and the cushion.[frame][/frame]
New straps go on reasonably easily - old ' gone hard' straps are almost impossible. I have heard of sections cut from an old inner tube being used - but not done this myself. The life of the straps is in inverse proportion to the weight of the driver!
I don't know of a special tool. At least the new straps seem to be strong enough to last quite a while, unlike the rubber diaphragms which broke within a few hundred miles.
