Front Seat Bottom "Caved In"

RVR OVR

Well-known member
Dec 9, 2004
342
105
IL
1995 Discovery - the front drivers seat "caved in" where you sit. Basically broke away and now I sink into the seat. Anyone know of a way to remedy?
 

nickhand

Well-known member
Jan 18, 2018
47
14
Oklahoma
1995 Discovery - the front drivers seat "caved in" where you sit. Basically broke away and now I sink into the seat. Anyone know of a way to remedy?
My 96 did the same thing. I pulled the seat and tried a duct tape repair. A complete waste of time. I ordered a Seat Diaphragm and Seat Base Internal Foam from Rimmer bros UK. Feels great now.
 

4Runner

Well-known member
May 24, 2007
660
110
Boise Idaho
Did this repair on my 94. I used the newer style seat diaphragm. Also drilled two holes in the rear seat frame for the diaphragm hooks. Used a stainless rod for the front hooks. It worked out great. Could probably get some pics if you need them.
 

Blue

Well-known member
Mar 26, 2004
10,043
856
AZ
I bought 2 used power front premium leather seats from someone on DW, maybe that trans guy Garret Porterfield. Awesome seats. Then I promptly rear ended an F150 in the I-10 tunnel below downtown Phoenix.
 
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Jimmy

Well-known member
Apr 10, 2006
740
64
Aurora, CO
I grab replacements from passenger seats (which typically see less butt time) at the junkyard, and swap one in when needed. The 94-95 ones swap in without modding, but 96-99 frames have a slightly different shape, so several of the hooks aren't the correct length. Using a couple of pliers makes quick work of swapping the hooks.

Couldn't tell you how many I've swapped in over the years (at least three, I'd guess). Need to do it again as it broke on the last trail run, and I'd forgotten about it. I should have one or two still on the parts shelf.

In retrospect, coughing up the money for a new replacement (during my last look, which was long ago, there weren't many options to chose from) would have been worth it in the long run.

I prefer an option that still functions as original... which means it has flex and give. Some folks use paracord and other non-flexible items, which then puts all the stress and wear-n-tear on the seat cushion.
 
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Chuckwagon976

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2013
142
7
Ft. Worth, Texas
I have the exmoor diaphragm replacements and dont like them nearly as much as the original rover diaphragm. They are rubber, flex too low and are not stiff enough but, I got tired of using rover passenger seat diaphramgs because they are old to begin with and rip through pretty quick. I had been through about 4 on my drivers side.
 
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Jimmy

Well-known member
Apr 10, 2006
740
64
Aurora, CO
I have the exmoor diaphragm replacements and dont like them nearly as much as the original rover diaphragm. They are rubber, flex too low and are not stiff enough but, I got tired of using rover passenger seat diaphramgs because they are old to begin with and rip through pretty quick. I had been through about 4 on my drivers side.

Thanks for that. I was wondering how they compared. That's where I'm at... getting a little tired of swapping in used ones. But, if that's how the new ones perform, I may stick with swapping instead.
 

Chuckwagon976

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2013
142
7
Ft. Worth, Texas
I also replaced the seat foam. The foam was a bit bigger than original but looks nice. I really had to squeeze it in and it looks more like a D2 seat bottom than D1. It also feels like the bolsters are bigger and the base is smaller. It could be because the rubber diaphragm drops lower and pulls the bolsters in, it is not as comfortable as original. For reference I'm a 5'11" 165lbs.
 
I just replaced one of them with a junkyard spare part, and got two of these "replacement pads", too. Got these from LRdirect shop. But i found that part code from these rubber pads is a RR Classic item. Anyone saw these pads inside a RR classic seat? Is cushion directly supported by pad or there is a layer Between parts?

Regards
 

rovercanus

Well-known member
Apr 24, 2004
9,643
244
I bought 2 used power front premium leather seats from someone on DW, maybe that trans guy Garret Porterfield. Awesome seats. Then I promptly rear ended an F150 in the I-10 tunnel below downtown Phoenix.
Garrett Porterfield and rear ending just go together.
 
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ankeneering

Active member
Apr 21, 2017
41
3
wyoming
This was an old question but thought I’d add my experience; didn’t want to pay 90 ish bucks for the exmoor diaphragm and found one that looked similar for 18 bucks from a vendor selling parts for old English cars in the states. I believe the part I bought was actually a replacement part for an old MG or a TR... just FYI. Cheaper options exist. (Even though 90 bucks ain’t that much)Installed it and works great.
 

Chuckwagon976

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2013
142
7
Ft. Worth, Texas
This was an old question but thought I’d add my experience; didn’t want to pay 90 ish bucks for the exmoor diaphragm and found one that looked similar for 18 bucks from a vendor selling parts for old English cars in the states. I believe the part I bought was actually a replacement part for an old MG or a TR... just FYI. Cheaper options exist. (Even though 90 bucks ain’t that much)Installed it and works great.
Have a link?