Cracking/Splitting leather in bottom seat squab

[Aussie Jeepster]

My D3 driver seat, bottom squab, has a couple of small splits starting to appear on the outer edge.
I'd like to get this fixed before it gets too bad, and am wondering if the whole seat needs to come out to get the bottom squab off, or if the bottom squad can be removed with the seat in the car???
Then, I can take it to a trimmer to get it fixed.
Alternatively, can you swap the passenger side with the driver side???
It's not an electric seat, but it does have an airbag in the seat back which I need to careful of.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Alan

[ATH]

I have this sort of wear happening in our 2016 D4 even after putting loads of leather balm stuff on from new to keep it supple. Can't answer your question I'm afraid but seems a common thing so someone will know what to do.
AlanH.

[letherm]

Why not just take the car to the trimmer and leave it with them for a day?

Martin

[Aussie Jeepster]

Why not just take the car to the trimmer and leave it with them for a day?

Martin

It might come to that, now that I've had a look under the seat!

[DiscoJeffster]

The bottom isn’t leather either - it’s vinyl. The leather is only on the tops of the seat unless you have the leather upgrade option.

[PerthDisco]

The bottom isn’t leather either - it’s vinyl. The leather is only on the tops of the seat unless you have the leather upgrade option.

Yes mine is vinyl and cracked.

Yes you can remove the base there’s four torx bolts underneath but it’s super fiddly with electric connections as well as access. Easier to remove seat and disassemble.

You can swap bases but the passenger seat has the weight sensor feature.

You can buy new seat foam and covers as well. Not cheap.

Good news is once cracked it does not expand or get significantly worse. The leather on my seat and the side bolster that cops the punishment are still in great condition.