Squeaky Seat Fix - LotusTalk

Keeper · 08-24-2006, 09:16 PM

My seats made squeaking noises when I moved around or on some turns. Turns out the seat belt clip (female) was rubbing against the leather. I added some felt to the side of the seat clip between the leather and the clip.

Keeper · 06-07-2007, 10:58 AM

Ran into a similar issue after adding the Lotus leather parking brake boot. I keep my seat forward far enough that the seat belt latch would rub the leather. Once again, some strategically placed felt silenced the problem.

apk919 · 03-03-2008, 05:17 PM

I've been having problems with my driver's seat squeaking too... but in my case it's not the seat belt clip. It only squeaks when it's in one of the fore/aft positions (of course its the one I use), and then only after a few minutes of driving... then if I move the seat to another position and back again, it stops for a while. The Uberpost seems to imply it is a faulty seat rail. So, I was up for some research.

Here's what I found: the seat adjuster has two slots on each side that grab two teeth in each seat rail. It seems when formed, the left seat rail was bent a little too much, making it difficult for the slots to line up with the teeth. A tiny bit of "unbending" later, and the teeth line up well enough to allow the slots to seat completely. Two hours of driving later: no noise at all. Fixed!

The first pic points out the location of the seat adjuster's slots on the left rail. The second shot is an "after" closeup of the teeth in the rail engaged by the slots of the adjuster. Before "adjustment", the slots would not fully engage the teeth.

codymac · 03-03-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apk919

I've been having problems with my driver's seat squeaking too... but in my case it's not the seat belt clip. It only squeaks when it's in one of the fore/aft positions (of course its the one I use), and then only after a few minutes of driving... then if I move the seat to another position and back again, it stops for a while. The Uberpost seems to imply it is a faulty seat rail. So, I was up for some research.

Here's what I found: the seat adjuster has two slots on each side that grab two teeth in each seat rail. It seems when formed, the left seat rail was bent a little too much, making it difficult for the slots to line up with the teeth. A tiny bit of "unbending" later, and the teeth line up well enough to allow the slots to seat completely. Two hours of driving later: no noise at all. Fixed!

The first pic points out the location of the seat adjuster's slots on the left rail. The second shot is an "after" closeup of the teeth in the rail engaged by the slots of the adjuster. Before "adjustment", the slots would not fully engage the teeth.

Did this make it any more solidly planted on the rails? I don't have any noise (that I can hear over the Ultra anyway) but have developed a shifty seat that's rather annoying on track.

apk919 · 03-03-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codymac

Did this make it any more solidly planted on the rails? I don't have any noise (that I can hear over the Ultra anyway) but have developed a shifty seat that's rather annoying on track.

There's still a tiny amount of play (I'd guess less than 1/32") but it's not noticeable while driving... given what I was dealing with before, it's a huge improvement.

codymac · 03-03-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by apk919

There's still a tiny amount of play (I'd guess less than 1/32") but it's not noticeable while driving... given what I was dealing with before, it's a huge improvement.

Thanks! Mine feels like it's got a good (conservative) 1/8" of slop in it and it really thunks under braking. Not at all on the street, but on the track it's a little, well... not so good.

Might finally be inspired to pull the seat and have a look now.

apk919 · 03-03-2008, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by codymac

Thanks! Mine feels like it's got a good (conservative) 1/8" of slop in it and it really thunks under braking. Not at all on the street, but on the track it's a little, well... not so good.

Might finally be inspired to pull the seat and have a look now.

Given the size of the slots and teeth, an 1/8" of play sounds like one side isn't fully seated... it's worth taking a look.

sleepe · 03-03-2008, 05:59 PM

How much do the seats weigh roughly?

apk919 · 03-03-2008, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepe

How much do the seats weigh roughly?

Given that I just had the driver's seat out a few hours ago... I could take a guess: around 20 lbs, including the seat rail (stock ProBax Exige seat). I'll bet someone here knows exactly though...

Keeper · 03-04-2008, 05:59 AM

Nice find. I updated the Uberpost with the new details and a direct link.

Keeper · 03-04-2008, 05:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleepe

How much do the seats weigh roughly?

There's a weight reduction link in the Uberpost that might help.

http://www.elisetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27701

apk919 · 03-04-2008, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keeper

Nice find. I updated the Uberpost with the new details and a direct link.

Thanks! I'm honored

Keeper · 03-04-2008, 06:53 AM

No, thank you. I think I have this problem. Another thing to check before the snow melts.

08-24-2006, 09:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
Keeper Probably Lurking Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North of Boston Posts: 1,981	Squeaky Seat Fix My seats made squeaking noises when I moved around or on some turns. Turns out the seat belt clip (female) was rubbing against the leather. I added some felt to the side of the seat clip between the leather and the clip. __________________ -Shawn (2005 Lotus Econoxotic) Uberpost -- things owners should know - common problems/fixes - rattles, squeaks, noises - read the manual - good ideas? - maintenance - mods - reference - abbreviations

06-07-2007, 10:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Keeper Probably Lurking Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North of Boston Posts: 1,981	Ran into a similar issue after adding the Lotus leather parking brake boot. I keep my seat forward far enough that the seat belt latch would rub the leather. Once again, some strategically placed felt silenced the problem. __________________ -Shawn (2005 Lotus Econoxotic) Uberpost -- things owners should know - common problems/fixes - rattles, squeaks, noises - read the manual - good ideas? - maintenance - mods - reference - abbreviations

03-03-2008, 05:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
apk919 No Acceptable Substitutes Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NYC & SD Posts: 2,880	I've been having problems with my driver's seat squeaking too... but in my case it's not the seat belt clip. It only squeaks when it's in one of the fore/aft positions (of course its the one I use), and then only after a few minutes of driving... then if I move the seat to another position and back again, it stops for a while. The Uberpost seems to imply it is a faulty seat rail. So, I was up for some research. Here's what I found: the seat adjuster has two slots on each side that grab two teeth in each seat rail. It seems when formed, the left seat rail was bent a little too much, making it difficult for the slots to line up with the teeth. A tiny bit of "unbending" later, and the teeth line up well enough to allow the slots to seat completely. Two hours of driving later: no noise at all. Fixed! The first pic points out the location of the seat adjuster's slots on the left rail. The second shot is an "after" closeup of the teeth in the rail engaged by the slots of the adjuster. Before "adjustment", the slots would not fully engage the teeth. Attached Images __________________ 2007 AW Lotus Exige S. Opts: Track Pack, Touring Pack, LSD Mods: Multivex mirrors, JLAudio 525/Stealthbox/Focal 130 spkrs, Alpine PDX-5 Amp, Sector111 F&R Tow Hook, Fire Ext, HID Kit, Bootie and Bling, Lotus leather/alcantara interior, Braille Battery, LED Parking/Dome/License Lights, Bane's stealth bulbs, alex's 1/4 turn kit, Stan's shifter mod, jim-c's spkr rings, codymac's 1/4 turn kit, Lotus Cup roof w/fettled clam, Schroth 6pt harness, RAC's & R888's, ChaseCam

03-03-2008, 05:59 PM	#8 (permalink)
sleepe Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: rehoboth beach, Delaware and New Jersey Posts: 567	How much do the seats weigh roughly? __________________ Elise'06ST:RAC-Girodisc-Larini 8"-Zoom-Braille-Reverie intake-raceview-Saikou Michi-FFengine damper-Nitron sportpro-RTVbrace-extended undertray

03-04-2008, 05:59 AM	#10 (permalink)
Keeper Probably Lurking Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North of Boston Posts: 1,981	Nice find. I updated the Uberpost with the new details and a direct link. __________________ -Shawn (2005 Lotus Econoxotic) Uberpost -- things owners should know - common problems/fixes - rattles, squeaks, noises - read the manual - good ideas? - maintenance - mods - reference - abbreviations

03-04-2008, 06:53 AM	#13 (permalink)
Keeper Probably Lurking Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: North of Boston Posts: 1,981	No, thank you. I think I have this problem. Another thing to check before the snow melts. __________________ -Shawn (2005 Lotus Econoxotic) Uberpost -- things owners should know - common problems/fixes - rattles, squeaks, noises - read the manual - good ideas? - maintenance - mods - reference - abbreviations

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