Lotus Elan Central

by **Benmac** » Wed 25.10.2006, 17:45

Quick one. I want to take the seats out to give them and the interior a damn good clean. Had a quick look in the service manual and it looks like a case of just undoing the four bolts on the runners and removing.

Anything to watch for or avoid?

by **Rogerf** » Wed 25.10.2006, 19:30

There are spaces with the bolts which are different sizes so keep them marked to each hole.

Roger

by **Paul.P** » Wed 25.10.2006, 19:34

roger_fewtrell wrote:There are spaces with the bolts which are different sizes so keep them marked to each hole.

Thats strange Roger, i never noticed they were different ?
Also, don't forget the seatbelt warning light wires, down the centre console side of the drivers seat.

by **Monty** » Wed 25.10.2006, 20:13

Yeah and don`t forget to put the roof down LOL :-D

by **Dave M** » Thu 26.10.2006, 14:21

And if you're looking for a different feel to the seats, remove the rear spacer when reinstalling. I found it to be an improvement over the stock seating position which felt too flat for me.

by **Benmac** » Thu 26.10.2006, 17:12

Thanks chaps.

Monty, after watching someone (with amusement and stifled chuckling I might add) trying to remove seats in an Elise with the roof on I won't be making that mistake!

by **Enright** » Thu 26.10.2006, 20:12

Also if you're looking for a different feel to the seats (like a more original feel), swap the bases. I did and it made a world of difference.

The best instructions are in Doug's "installing seat heaters" write-up linked from the main page.

by **Benmac** » Thu 02.11.2006, 09:52

Arseburgers. Tried to get the pax seat out yesterday and no joy. Three of the bolts came out pretty easily but the front one next to the centre console won't budge. The spanner I was using for a bit of extra leverage, having just needed the socket set for the others then slipped slightly causing a tiny bit of chew of a couple of the edges so I decided that discretion was the better part of valour.

Can't get my breaker bar on it as the only 1/2" 17mm socket I have is quite a tall one. Off to get some of that loctite freeze and release stuff and also a shorter socket.

by **dans** » Thu 02.11.2006, 13:55

Just swapped my seat bases and backs. Has made a world of difference to them.

There are smaller spacers on the front of the drivers seat. Though the spacers are all identical on the passenger seat!! On mine anyway!!

I also sat a dehumidfier in the footwell whilst the seats were out and took about 6 pints of water out in 24hrs. The car is less "moist" feeling now :wink:

Dan

by **Benmac** » Fri 03.11.2006, 09:59

Hurrah, got them both out now. HAd a shorter socket which fitted and also put some freeze and release spray on it. It then just turned and unscrewed first time. Lovely.

by **M100 TWO** » Fri 03.11.2006, 10:28

Benmac on two of the bolts, if you do not replace the washers you will have to cut them down the same amount as the spacer, or you will damage the chassis trying to drive the bolt through it, this is the two with captured nuts
john

by **Benmac** » Fri 03.11.2006, 13:40

Good point, I'm going to keep the spacers in there for now though. Off to Woolies in a mo to buy a cheap dehumidifier to leave in the car over night to help dry the carpets out once they've been shampooed.

by **Ravij** » Tue 23.01.2007, 11:12

I'm probably blind but having difficulty finding the "installing seat heaters" link to look at the removal of seats.
I am thinking of a retrim for the seats and want to find out how difficult they'll be to remove.
Cheers
Ravi

by **Sy V** » Tue 23.01.2007, 11:24

Correct, you are blind :wink:

http://www.lotuselancentral.com/upgrade/hotseat.htm

by **Ravij** » Tue 23.01.2007, 11:40

Ahhh that'l be the place then. Sorry.

Thanks

Ravi

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