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Repairing seat spring edge frame
viiking - April 22nd, 2017 at 11:49 AM

I know you can't weld seat springs successfully because they re-break, but has anyone successfully welded the flat steel frame?

My backrest is broken in lots of places but the springs themselves are intact. The PO has welded badly on some of it but I don't know if it is worth trying again properly?

I'm having trouble finding some intact replacements.

Viiking


KalgoorlieGreg - April 22nd, 2017 at 03:08 PM

Can't see why not. Post pictures and I'll give you an answer. (I'm a boilermaker / welder.)


pod - April 22nd, 2017 at 11:22 PM

i have welded mine and one of my club mates ones back together no problem


grumble - April 23rd, 2017 at 07:24 PM

Your other option is to start from scratch and make a new frame to carry the springs,it has been done before, it just means that you have to purchase new strip metal, cut to size and weld it together. This will be a better result than a lot of welds on old metal.


viiking - April 24th, 2017 at 08:45 AM

Yes I know but the question is can the outer frame be successfully welded with say Mig or Tig. Finding new frame is difficult and I have searched extensively. I'm thinking of trying to get some of it off some back seat section as front seat frames seem to be difficult to source.

A welder at work says you cannot weld it so I will be interested in Kalgoorlie Greg's advice. The frame is definitely hardened as a file will not cut into it easily (the way to detect mild from hardened steel).

The second hand seats I bought were butchered by the previous owner. The picture attached shows some pretty ordinary welding blobs attaching the flat frame to the tubular frame. These will have to be cut off and done properly.

On the other seat I have four of the flat frame sections broken.
I have found things called BW clips which are used to join the no-sag zig zag springs to the frame but these are not long enough to get enough purchase on two bits of frame connected together.

If I can't get a couple of seat backs cheaply enough I might have to just weld them up and hope they last a while. Given that I will be putting new seat covers on to the frame, I don't want to have to pull them off again any time soon.


viiking - April 24th, 2017 at 08:46 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by pod
i have welded mine and one of my club mates ones back together no problem


Did you just MIG it? Any reinforcement behind it or just butt welded together?