Thread: D1 front seats

dunno the answer to it but want to find out as welll so i can do the same on mine.

Originally Posted by 2 rocks

Hi folks
I need to get the driver's seat in Kim's D1 fixed - apparently the squab needs a new seat diaphragm.

It's been like it since we bought it and really gives the true meaning to the name "bucket" seat!

Anyhoo - went to see a motor trimmer and he said he can fix it up in a day or so, but my question is...

If I unbolt the driver's seat to take in to the trimmer, can I put the passenger seat in it's place temporarily. None of the seatbelt points are attached to the seat, so it's only the backrest and reach adjusters that will be on the 'wrong' sides.

So - are the floor mounting plates symmetrical and will it fit, if only for a couple of days till the seat comes back?

Cheers
Mike

Yep it can be done easily but all the handles etc are a about face but for a few days you can live with them.

Short answer is no. From memory the seats are offset on the bases, so if you put the passenger side on the drivers side you won't get the door closed, as the seat will be ofset away from instead of towards the transmission tunnel.

Also from memory, it was an easy DIY fix.

On a 98 D1 you certainly can swap the front seats over, so I would expect a 94 update to be similar.

My drivers seat was starting to wear on the usual edge where you get in and out, as well as being a little bit softer from use compared to the passengers seat.

I unbolted the whole seat with the seat rail still attached to the seat.
There is about a size 10 bolt at the front of the seat rail and one at the back, on either side.
Slide the seat back and undo the front ones, slide it forward and undo the back ones.
Also attached to the seat is the seat belt at the bottom and the seat bealt receiver on the other side.
You need a Torx six pointed star bit (T45 rings a bell but would have to check) to undo the seat belt points from the seat.
If you are switching the whole seat you also need to switch the seat belts mounts from side to side on the seat (obvious once you pull the seat out).
Then I just switched the two front seats over.
Bolted it all back in with a bit of loctite on all the bolts and jobs done easily in an hour.

I am not sure on switching just the bases of the seats over, but I would expect this could be done also.

Just did a 'rough' measurement and Lucy is correct.

There's a good 20mm difference between the tranny tunnel side and door side for the rear bolts.

Having said that, you may be able to swap the seats without the bases, but I ain't takin' mine out to check it.

Guys
Thanks to all for the replies.

Originally Posted by nice1guv

Also attached to the seat is the seat belt at the bottom and the seat bealt receiver on the other side.

Guv
From memory, when I looked at the seat - the the seat belt stalk was attached to the trans tunnel and the belt anchors all on the b-pillar but I'll check today.

Sounds like the offset will not make it worth doing for a couple of days only!
Cheers
Mike

Originally Posted by Lucy

Short answer is no. From memory the seats are offset on the bases, so if you put the passenger side on the drivers side you won't get the door closed, as the seat will be ofset away from instead of towards the transmission tunnel.

Also from memory, it was an easy DIY fix.

Well it's amazing that I did it with my 96 Disco and drove that way for a week until the drivers seat was fixed. Are we driving the same..mine is 96 Update TDI

Originally Posted by 2 rocks

Guv
From memory, when I looked at the seat - the seat belt stalk was attached to the trans tunnel and the belt anchors all on the b-pillar but I'll check today.

My 98 definitely attaches to the seat at both these points, but maybe it was different in 94.

Originally Posted by 2 rocks

Sounds like the offset will not make it worth doing for a couple of days only!

Again for my 98, if you remove the whole seat with rails attached but not the base frame that attaches to the floor, they are a straight swap with no offset.