Mike, Oops. Thanks for the warning, Mike. I'd best go easy with the rubber mallet! I'm seeing a problem coming since I don't have a welding capabilitly, but it might be the only way I'm going to get my seats to fit correctly.
I fear that Bill's suggestion would have been the best -- ve get too soon oldt und too late schmardt! Of course, I don't have my old rails anymore. And I gave away what little was left of my parts-car carcass. Arrgh. Bert -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Mike Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 9:08 PM To: Air-Cooled Volkswagen Discussion List Subject: Re: [vintagvw] Poor-fitting seat rails I didnt know about the poor fit, but, the cheaper aftermarket seat rail metal is a thinner guage steel, and would bend away more easily in a rear-end collision. I've also learned not to hammer the seat back on tight tracks; the tubular seat frames get dented easily, even with a soft-faced mallet. Mike B. ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill May To: 'Air-Cooled Volkswagen Discussion List' Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 5:55 PM Subject: Re: [vintagvw] Poor-fitting seat rails I always weld the original mounts on the aftermarket pans. The reason? The seats don't fit the Brazilian rails. -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Bert Knupp Sent: Friday, August 14, 2009 8:18 AM To: 'Air-Cooled Volkswagen Discussion List' Subject: [vintagvw] Poor-fitting seat rails Volks, When my local VW fixer welded in new floor pans in my 1970 Type 1, the pans included seat rails. They seem to be very firmly welded onto the pan. I'm guessing the pans are Brazilian, but there's no evidence. But the seats just barely fit -- they'll go on maybe four to five inches or so, then they bind up. And I can't find where they're binding -- no scraped paint, visible gouging, etc., even where I've used a rubber mallet to "persuade" them farther into the rails. (That's only gained me a couple of inches -- barely enough to get mny knees under the steering wheel). The seats are rebuilt and seemingly in great condition. The rails are nicely lubricated. Their rail grippers are straight and smooth, and the seats worked well on their previous floor (they're both German original). I don't want to start "relieving" my seats with a Dremel grinder or hacksaw except as a last resort. The inner flanges of the floor rails are 15.25" (387 mm) apart at the front and 15.375" (390.5 mm) apart at the rear. The seats look as if they should fit throughout that range -- but they don't. I suspect I'll need my trusty sledge hammer, but I don't want to just begin whacking until something bends -- or breaks. I need a target measurement. QUESTIONS: Who knows the correct factory measurement for the distance between the inner lips of the floor flanges on a 1970 Type 1? Or the outer dimension, for that matter? Who has some experience to share before I start any violence? Is there any "usual problem" that aftermarket floor seat rails seem to present, or is it just random poor quality in Brazil? I don't have a welding rig and would prefer to avoid that route if possible. But even then, I would need the correct dimensions to shoot for. I hate when this happens. Thanks, Bert Knupp in Music City USA |__n__ (_____)º (Ô\_|_/Ô) ü ° ° ü Polizeikäfer '70 PS - Pictures are posted on my FaceBook album. The exterior is beginning to look good now. __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4335 (20090814) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com _______________________________________________ vintagvw site list [email protected] http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.392 / Virus Database: 270.13.55/2301 - Release Date: 08/13/09 18:16:00 _______________________________________________ vintagvw site list [email protected] http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw _______________________________________________ vintagvw site list [email protected] http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4336 (20090814) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET Smart Security, version of virus signature database 4336 (20090814) __________ The message was checked by ESET Smart Security. http://www.eset.com _______________________________________________ vintagvw site list [email protected] http://lists.sjsu.edu/mailman/listinfo/vintagvw
