Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi guys
I have recently had my seats retrimmed by Bob Fettes. He suggested that we need new webbing.
Is it better to use straps or go for the diaphragm?
Cheers

I can't see how to add a photo!

Dusty56 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 02, 2022 10:38 am

I can't see how to add a photo!

Drag and Drop on a PC or other large screen device.
Otherwise use the Attachments Tab (just below where you click [Submit] ) and attach from there....

geoberni wrote: ↑Sun Oct 02, 2022 10:53 am

Dusty56 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 02, 2022 10:38 am

I can't see how to add a photo!

Drag and Drop on a PC or other large screen device.
Otherwise use the Attachments Tab (just below where you click [Submit] ) and attach from there....

Thank you.
Every forum is different!

The diaphragm will probably require new hook holes to be drilled in the seat frame as the hole spacings are different.
I personally prefer the straps as they are easier to fit and easy to replace should it be required.

Boomlander wrote: ↑Sun Oct 02, 2022 4:51 pm The diaphragm will probably require new hook holes to be drilled in the seat frame as the hole spacings are different.
I personally prefer the straps as they are easier to fit and easy to replace should it be required.

That makes sense, thank you

Boomlander wrote: ↑Sun Oct 02, 2022 4:51 pm I personally prefer the straps as they are easier to fit and easy to replace should it be required.

Apart from needing the strength of Hercules to get them to stretch that extra mm into the holes

I found the easiest way to fit the straps was to locate the hooks in the holes on one side then grip between the other hooks with a pair of pliers and pull the strap towards you until the hooks locate. Works a treat!

Sorry, bit late with this one. My seats are actually MGB seats, but very similar construction. I restored them about two years ago with diaphragms, but these have already disintegrated - despite the car being off the road! I've now fitted webbing. I overcame the stretching problem by attaching strong cable ties to the webbing loops and using these as a handhold to pull it taut enough to engage the hooks. Where necessary I also used a ratchet clamp to pull the last few millimeters - sorry, no photograph to illustrate this!

Dusty56 wrote: ↑Sun Oct 02, 2022 10:38 am Hi guys
I have recently had my seats retrimmed by Bob Fettes. He suggested that we need new webbing.
Is it better to use straps or go for the diaphragm?
Cheers

I can't see how to add a photo!

That interior is stunning.

Just started my first seat restoration and the new straps appear to be about half an inch too short. As I pull the straps to try and locate the clips I can hear them tearing. I know they should be tight but this is taking the wee wee.

I now wonder whether I can soften them somehow to make them more pliable, hot water bath for example. Is that a bad idea or would it actually work?

I too had the same issue and just couldn't pull the straps enough to locate the ends. So I resorted to something other than brute force.
First I poked a hole through the webbing just under the wire and pushed a cable tie through

I used a screwdriver to lever the strap up and locate the wire ends



Doesn't seem to have affected the strength of the strap



Then I simple cut the cable ties off and job done

When I refreshed my front seats, with new webbing straps and foam, I made this crude tool to stretch with one hand and locate the hooks with the other. 22mm copper pipe and some strong steel wire.

Cheers Panky. The cable tie idea was good. I have sore hands now but it worked fairly well.

I know what the tearing noise was now, it was the stitching around the hooks! I just hope they hold out.

I actually broke 3 cable ties doing this job, not that I'm Hercules or anything but definitely made of weak plastic. Just got the drilling of holes to do now to secure the seat diaphragm but can't find my drill bits. Most annoying.