Yaff

Last year I got a custom upholster shop try to fix my seat... The results were quite disappointing.

I finally decided to buy an OEM cushion and just got it.

Anyone has the DYI procedure to take the leather cover and seat out?

Thanks.

irishbrahm

On my previous LS430 and LS460 I had a custom upholsterer replace the worn cushion with an OEM cushion + extra padding. Each job was over $300. With my recently purchased LS430 I took it to a different upholsterer who offered to rebuild the seat without having to buy the OEM part while maintaining the seat's heating and cooling functions. So I went for it. I picked up the car earlier today. It feels great. The seat bottom is 2" higher than it was before and the heating and cooling work great. My cost: $89 + tax.

tallcaguy

Surprised about the slow heat comment. My seat heats up to comfortable w/in minutes of starting the car. Change to max heat and it doesn't take long.

Yaff

30$ For the installation?!!! Waow that is dirt cheap, considering you have to remove the seat and deals with a whole bunch of screws and clamps to remove the leather cover.

I tried myself last weekend and aborted the procedure after an hour as I don't have the tools and/or talent to reclamp the leather cover to the cushion. Last thing I want is to tear/damage the 1000$+ leather seat cover.

Geols430

I am facing the same back ache problem. I commute daily 125miles home-office-home. The condition of the seats of my 03 LS430 is very bad as it seems the previous owner was a heavy guy. This car was imported to Dubai from Texas. As discussed above I try to contact the dealers here to get OEM cushion and they are running out of stock. They advised to go for a good scrap one as Scraps are very common and cheap here. Looking for great suggestions from you all about the idea of installing Scrap ones.

sade04

iTrader: (1)

I found that if I slide the seat bottom in, it makes long distance drives a little more comfortable. I always had mine slid out all the way but after a while it would become VERY uncomfortable.

And speaking of uncomfortable seats, is there any way to change the angle of the rear seats? Something back there just doesn't feel right to me. I cant even pin point what makes them uncomfortable so i dont even know how I could fix it.Originally I thought it was just me but one day my brother even mentioned to me that the rear seats aren't that great. I tired sitting in the back of his 01 chevy impala and while it isn't pretty, its very cushy and comfy.

KING

iTrader: (1)

Yea, I share the same experience. I guess it makes difference the way it presses along the end of the spinal cord, and how pinched it is, the more you are out, the more your spinal cord is flexed. The more you are tucked in, the more you are sitting vertically, pinching your lower back. -lol, I ain't a doctor, just how I feel about it.


Search the forum for some rear seat pics removal, and you will get a pretty quick understanding of how they mount to the car. You'll find 3 big clips, sometimes the break and they don't fit right when you put them back in. Check the pictures, you'll know what I'm saying. If you have more questions PM me.

But yeah just check the way the seats are supposed to mount and check to see if anything's wrong with that.

mpredden

I have the same issue with the driver's seat cushion being flat as a pancake, and I want to buy a new OEM cushion and have it replaced. Can someone supply the OEM Part Number, and where I can buy it?

jimbosr1

what year car do you have?

sade04

iTrader: (1)

I'll check it out. thanks!

aypues

I replaced my passenger seat with a new OEM pad and it's identical in uncomfortableness. It's about 4" of super high density foam (rock hard) with a 1/2" soft pad that's woefully inadequate. I think best bet is to get a gel pad for on top of the seat at Costco.

mpredden

Sorry. I should have said that my LS is 2004 Base.

drrishi

I am having the same issues, especially since I am quite tall (6' 3") and I like to extend the sitting but this really kills my back in no time and I have to shorten it again to make things more comfy. Such a shame as the rest of the car is a dream so time to do something about it.

Just called up an specialist upholsterer and they said they preferred to rebuild the seat using cold foam (sorry don't know a good translation from Dutch) and a layer of felt. I asked about the heating and cooling but they said this was not an issue. I will go by in a few days and get a quote. I will let you know how it goes.

drrishi

Got a quote just now. Luckily the guy told me he had done one a few weeks ago so he has had some practice. €300 to redo the seat. Not bad I think. Anyway made an appointment in 2 week. I will post the results.

Jabberwock

Thanks for sharing the info and the quote. Good luck with it and please let us know your results.