Stuffing the springs... :)

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Bill Lawless
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Stuffing the springs... :)

#1 Post by Bill Lawless »

No wonder it takes so long to restore one of these puppies...
Spring Stuffing, something I saw on this forum a while back...
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Bill
 Thanks,
Bill
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Gordon Watkins
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Re: Stuffing the springs... :)

#2 Post by Gordon Watkins »

I recently did the same thing but went overboard and stuffed all the springs! When I slipped the new covers on and tested them the seat was way too hard. Like sitting on the seat rather than in the seat if that makes sense. I removed all but the front corners and some across the back edge until I got the feel I liked. I used foam which looked more dense than yours but I highly recommend testing before sewing the seat crease and securing the covers
Gordon Watkins
1963 356B Super Coupe w/912/SC engine
1986 911 Carrera

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Phil Planck
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Re: Stuffing the springs... :)

#3 Post by Phil Planck »

Nice workshop
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Sean M Rooks
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Re: Stuffing the springs... :)

#4 Post by Sean M Rooks »

I've done this process myself and it IS time consuming! If you want to get technical, I've done it twice to the same set of seats. :) Take Gordon's advice - I overstuffed but it was the seat pad I was bulking up. I just went too far replacing some of the lost "fluff" from the coconut fiber pad with new foam.

The original seats never had foam or anything else stuffed in the springs, but I would imagine they do sag and lose their support over decades of use. Stuffed springs can help replace that. I added support to the front, sides, and rear with some foam as done here because I wanted the "droop" to be in the middle. Also, if you're a taller driver, there is some headroom benefit in additional "squish". I gained a couple of inches by reducing the seat pad thickness and spring stuffing.

Kudos for tackling this yourself! It's fun but a process for sure.

-Sean

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Adam Wright
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Re: Stuffing the springs... :)

#5 Post by Adam Wright »

Now that is a job for winter!
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John Weyand
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Re: Stuffing the springs... :)

#6 Post by John Weyand »

The time to stuff the springs can be shortened if you wrap the foam with plastic wrap (Seran Wrap). This sort of rounds the column and allows it to slip into the spring. My seat springs would nearly bottom-out so I installed the foam. I learned that there are degrees of firmness so the density used is important (mine is a middle range). I also used a bit more length in the column along the sides of the springs in order to allow the seat to keep my "sitter" centered in the seat. You will sit a bit taller in the seat, so if you are handicapped by too much height you will need softer foam.
John W
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Bill Lawless
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Re: Stuffing the springs... :)

#7 Post by Bill Lawless »

Gordon Watkins wrote: Thu Feb 07, 2019 6:19 pm I recently did the same thing but went overboard and stuffed all the springs! When I slipped the new covers on and tested them the seat was way too hard. Like sitting on the seat rather than in the seat if that makes sense. I removed all but the front corners and some across the back edge until I got the feel I liked. I used foam which looked more dense than yours but I highly recommend testing before sewing the seat crease and securing the covers
Yes, I've been testing it as I go
 Thanks,
Bill
65' 356 SC Cab Irish Green :D
82' SC Targa
81 VW Westfalia with 2015 Forester Engine
BMW 64'-R50/2, 75'-BMW R90/6, 74' BMW R90/6, Yamaha BW350

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Bill Lawless
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Re: Stuffing the springs... :)

#8 Post by Bill Lawless »

Phil Planck wrote: Thu Feb 07, 2019 6:22 pm Nice workshop
Yeah, the wife was away..
 Thanks,
Bill
65' 356 SC Cab Irish Green :D
82' SC Targa
81 VW Westfalia with 2015 Forester Engine
BMW 64'-R50/2, 75'-BMW R90/6, 74' BMW R90/6, Yamaha BW350

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Bill Lawless
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Re: Stuffing the springs... :)

#9 Post by Bill Lawless »

Is there any rule of thumb on how much sag when sitting..
 Thanks,
Bill
65' 356 SC Cab Irish Green :D
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81 VW Westfalia with 2015 Forester Engine
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Dick Weiss
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Re: Stuffing the springs... :)

#10 Post by Dick Weiss »

I had a coupe which had its seats rebuilt, but were a little too soft, so they were redone.
I like to ride w/the car vs. against it--Speedster seats work nicely.

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Doug McDonnell
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Re: Stuffing the springs... :)

#11 Post by Doug McDonnell »

I first saw the spring stuffing on Metro Detroit build website. He sewed individual bags for each spring, similar to old tobacco bags, that he put strips of foam in. Now that was a lot of work. http://www.darrylsgarage.com/356/356.htm
Last edited by Doug McDonnell on Tue Feb 12, 2019 11:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
1965 356C 2000 BMW 740i Sport 1967 Honda CL77 There is never enough time to do it right, but always enough time to do it over.

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Bill Lawless
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Re: Stuffing the springs... :)

#12 Post by Bill Lawless »

John Weyand wrote: Fri Feb 08, 2019 7:36 am The time to stuff the springs can be shortened if you wrap the foam with plastic wrap (Seran Wrap). This sort of rounds the column and allows it to slip into the spring. My seat springs would nearly bottom-out so I installed the foam. I learned that there are degrees of firmness so the density used is important (mine is a middle range). I also used a bit more length in the column along the sides of the springs in order to allow the seat to keep my "sitter" centered in the seat. You will sit a bit taller in the seat, so if you are handicapped by too much height you will need softer foam.
It actually was pretty quick, 30min to do all the 2 outer most springs..
I just jammed it in with my fingers which got it almost 1/2 way and used a long needle nose pliers and puller it through.. The foam I used did not tear easy...

I still need to place the foam on it and sit on it in the car to test the feel....
 Thanks,
Bill
65' 356 SC Cab Irish Green :D
82' SC Targa
81 VW Westfalia with 2015 Forester Engine
BMW 64'-R50/2, 75'-BMW R90/6, 74' BMW R90/6, Yamaha BW350

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Gary Cox
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Re: Stuffing the springs... :)

#13 Post by Gary Cox »

On another site someone posted a good experience with using swimming pool noodles to stuff the springs.
Gary Cox
Baton Rouge, LA

1958 356A Speedster
1967 912 (356D)

 

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Bill Lawless
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Re: Stuffing the springs... :)

#14 Post by Bill Lawless »

Gary Cox wrote: Tue Feb 12, 2019 11:03 am On another site someone posted a good experience with using swimming pool noodles to stuff the springs.
Funny, I actually thought of that :) But I thought they might be to stiff..
 Thanks,
Bill
65' 356 SC Cab Irish Green :D
82' SC Targa
81 VW Westfalia with 2015 Forester Engine
BMW 64'-R50/2, 75'-BMW R90/6, 74' BMW R90/6, Yamaha BW350

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