'66 seat frame restoration; need help on 2 questions

[Gary B.]

After reading Don Zullinger's nicely written article in the latest Restorer, I decided it was time to complete the same process on my '66 seat frames. I'm almost done with one seat, but there are two issues I'm faced with.

As Don noted in his article (his Fig. 7 on page 8), the "spring bushings" I purchased from Long Island Corvette are noticeably wimpier than the originals. In Don's case, he decided to re-use his original bushings, but in my case one of my original bring bushings is broken in half. Does anyone know of a source for beefier bushings that better match the originals? I wouldn't be surprised is these spring bushing are hard to find, as they seem like a darn poor substitute for things like linear bearings, so maybe the LIC repros are the only game in town?

My second question is, what grease should be used on the bushings and should just the spring bushing be greased or should the entire ID of the seat frame tube be greased? I'd prefer to use a color grease that was used in the '60's, rather than white lithium. Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Gary
Northern California Chapter

[Tim E.]

Re: '66 seat frame restoration; need help on 2 questions

Gary - I too read Don's article with interest. Last year, I was worried about failing a PV due to worn springs and bought Paragon's replacements. I was just as disappointed as Don that the replacements were much thinner and weaker than the originals.

I installed the springs just to see how bad they were and the slop in the rails was orders of magnitude worse than the original springs. I reinstalled the originals but it still nags me to this day!

I don't have a better suggestion for grease than white lithium which I used the entire length of the tubes.

Tim

[Gary B.]

'66 seat frame restoration; spring bushings & grease

Tim,

Thanks for your commiserations. I measured the OD of the original and repro spring bushings and they are within 0.005", but the wire thickness of the repro is much smaller, so the repros are pretty wimpy. I, too, would prefer not to use the repros, but one of my originals is broken in half, so i think I have no option as this point. I don't know who to call to find a good, used original.

Regarding the grease, I found some lithium-based grease that is dark brown. I hadn't realized that lithium-based greases come in a variety of colors.

Gary

[Randy S.]

Re: '66 seat frame restoration; need help on 2 questions

Gary,
I did the seat spring replacement a few years ago. Check the archives as I had some additional issues and also found a spring catalog number from another poster. As I recall I bought the springs at Lowes but I am sure any good hardware store with a selection of generic springs will work. I could not find an exact match ,slightly smaller od, but close so maybe you will only need to replace the broken spring.

Randy

[Dwight P.]

Re: '66 seat frame restoration; need help on 2 questions

Gentlemen:
In preparation for a PV, I disassembled and reassembled my seats numerous times in an effort to remove the play that increased over the years. I tried the Lowe's springs. I also paid a noted Corvette shop a tidy sum to correct the problem. Their fix worsened the problem. I finally discovered the solution to the problem.
First of all, the springs are not the problem. If the original springs are not damaged, reuse them. As all of you have discovered, the replacements are not like the originals. If your originals are not reusable I do not know of any source. Perhaps someone who has an inside track with a spring manufacturer can find a replacement.
The solution to the "play" that develops over the years, is tightening the "rider" that holds the spring. This tightening must be done very carefully and in small increments. Use a vice and squeeze the rider in several places until it is snug on the seat rail. If done carefully your seats will have "zero" play.
I use Mobil I grease for lubrication.

[Gary B.]

Re: '66 seat frame restoration; need help on 2 questions

Thanks all. It sounds like I have a few things to look into.

Gary

[Oliver S.]

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1564247660

[Gary B.]

Re: '66 seat frame restoration; need help on 2 questions

Oliver,

If I were on a deserted island with my seat tracks to restore and nothing but irrigation PVC, I would use that technique. But there is a much more elegant solution: ball bearings. Ball bearings will operate smoothly, and will last forever, and not generate PVC wear particles as the seat is slid back and forth. Check out this thread.

https://www.forums.ncrs.org/showthre...+ball+bearings

Gary

[Oliver S.]

Re: '66 seat frame restoration; need help on 2 questions

Gary,

Thanks a lot! Ball bearings ordered!

Oliver

[Michael G.]

[Gary B.]

[Michael G.]

[Ed S.]

Re: '66 seat frame restoration; need help on 2 questions

Dwight has the solution - I did the same with my '64 seats - original springs were broken - repros are slightly smaller in diameter. I squeezed the "tubes" with a large pair of pliers - closed them up a bit - a bit too much. Opening them back up is easily done - just place a solid piece of metal in the opening and twist or bend as required. Opening is easier than reducing the ID. There is some trial and error involved but not terribly difficult to hit the sweet spot.

[Oliver S.]

Re: '66 seat frame restoration; need help on 2 questions

Ok, I ordered ball bearings in 5,5mm, too. Now I should be prepared. There are also springs in 5,5mm OD (wire diameter 0,3mm) available in 1m length (40”) here in Germany that could be cut as needed. But I like the ball bearing approach.

Oliver

[Gary B.]