Lumbar Mechanism Swap

Ok, my A2’s old seats were shot, sponge bolsters collapsed, filthy dirty esp drivers seat but they were fitted with electric lumbar support. I have acquired a pair of black leather front seats into which I would like to fit the lumbar system and heater elements. I have stripped the old seats as far as I can go without resorting to cutting the cover off. How does the airbag unit come out? Is there something obvious I am not doing? Is what I am trying to do impossible? Help!?
 
Inside the seat back the airbag is held into the frame by three brass-coloured 10mm nuts, if you're that far in you should already be able to see them. You'll need a ¼" drive, plus a UJ to get at the bottom one. Then it's just a case of unclipping and removing the wiring from the seat base to be able to remove the airbag from the seat back entirely.

The reason I say to remove the airbag entirely is because, assuming you have the same style replacement seat i.e. SE not Sport, the easiest thing to do is to swap the entire seat back frame in, rather than drill off the lumbar mech from the old seat and rivet it to the frame of the new one. There are just four bolts holding the back frame onto the base frame.

You'll need the headrest tubes out in order to get the cover off the back entirely. Inside each tube is a tang which needs to be pushed outwards with a suitable tool inserted down the tube in order to release it.

Sorry but I can't help you with removing/refitting heater pads or getting the cushion off the base, I was never able to to that :(
 
Inside the seat back the airbag is held into the frame by three brass-coloured 10mm nuts, if you're that far in you should already be able to see them. You'll need a ¼" drive, plus a UJ to get at the bottom one. Then it's just a case of unclipping and removing the wiring from the seat base to be able to remove the airbag from the seat back entirely.

The reason I say to remove the airbag entirely is because, assuming you have the same style replacement seat i.e. SE not Sport, the easiest thing to do is to swap the entire seat back frame in, rather than drill off the lumbar mech from the old seat and rivet it to the frame of the new one. There are just four bolts holding the back frame onto the base frame.

You'll need the headrest tubes out in order to get the cover off the back entirely. Inside each tube is a tang which needs to be pushed outwards with a suitable tool inserted down the tube in order to release it.

Sorry but I can't help you with removing/refitting heater pads or getting the cushion off the base, I was never able to to that :(
Thanks for your reply Proghound. I found it quite easy to get the seat base off of the frame. Two ‘U’ shaped brackets underneath held in place by self tappers, and two bolts either side at the rear of the seat. The handle that reclines the seat has to come off and the plastic panel behind it then you can see the two bolts. I have got the seat back unbolted from the base frame.
Inside the seat back the airbag is held into the frame by three brass-coloured 10mm nuts, if you're that far in you should already be able to see them. You'll need a ¼" drive, plus a UJ to get at the bottom one. Then it's just a case of unclipping and removing the wiring from the seat base to be able to remove the airbag from the seat back entirely.

The reason I say to remove the airbag entirely is because, assuming you have the same style replacement seat i.e. SE not Sport, the easiest thing to do is to swap the entire seat back frame in, rather than drill off the lumbar mech from the old seat and rivet it to the frame of the new one. There are just four bolts holding the back frame onto the base frame.

You'll need the headrest tubes out in order to get the cover off the back entirely. Inside each tube is a tang which needs to be pushed outwards with a suitable tool inserted down the tube in order to release it.

Sorry but I can't help you with removing/refitting heater pads or getting the cushion off the base, I was never able to to that :(
 

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Thanks for your reply Proghound. I found it quite easy to get the seat base off of the frame. Two ‘U’ shaped brackets underneath held in place by self tappers, and two bolts either side at the rear of the seat. The handle that reclines the seat has to come off and the plastic panel behind it then you can see the two bolts. I have got the seat back unbolted from the base frame.

Ok, progress! I have now stripped the old seat right back to the frame. I have to say, these seats are beautifully made. I will do as suggested and swap the back frames over. Will get some more practice on the other seat and remove everything carefully. Is it easy to tell the difference between SE and Sport seats? I hope my leather ones are the same!
 
Oh, you have Sport seats :D

In which case, be sure that the seats you're swapping with are also Sport seats, because the backs are different. You have the extra support arms on that frame, to support the larger bolsters and provide a firmer hold. If you don't see the same on your replacement seats, this isn't going to work, as the frames would be too large for their covers. You would still be able to drill out the lumbar mechanisms and rivet them to the new seat frames though.
 
Ok, progress! I have now stripped the old seat right back to the frame. I have to say, these seats are beautifully made. I will do as suggested and swap the back frames over. Will get some more practice on the other seat and remove everything carefully. Is it easy to tell the difference between SE and Sport seats? I hope my leather ones are the same!
 
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