The driver's seat of my '98 v70 has a tear in the leather that is getting bigger (about 1 inch long now). I am wondering two things: First, is there a good way to repair leather? second, I came across an XC70 with a PASSENGER seat in very good condition in a local pick-and-pull, and I was thinking about taking that seat cover and using it on my driver's side. Are they interchangeable (passenger and driver's side seat surfaces)? Is there any trick to removal/instalation of the leather seatcover?

As it turns out, there is a lot more to this job than meets the eye, and I am not seeing a way around the obstacles. In taking the seat cover off, I first removed the metal rings underneath the seat that hold the front, back, and sides to the seat. As I began to remove the seat cover, I came upon additional, more difficult rings that attached to four structural wires, two lateral and two front-to-back, embedded in the seat foam. I cannot think of a simple way to get these free of the seat cover without damaging the foam. Thoughts?

Alternatively, is there an effective product for patching tears in leather?

Sorry, I didn't see this post. Just snip those 2 hog clips and turn them up so that you can remove the seat cover. Remove the hog clips from the wires after the cover is off. The wires and foam do NOT move, leave them alone.

Klaus
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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic

k,

Now you see the difficulty in removing the cover.

Since I am not trained as a trim specialist, I did tear the wire out of the foam. This required the trim shop to spend time (and my money) to rebuild the foam prior to installation of the new cover.

I would STOP and contact a local shop. Trust me, the $60-$100 you will invest to R&R is well worth it.

Bryan

K,

There are 6 "hog rings" holding the listing wires in the cover. Take care not to rip the front to back wire embedded in the foam out while snipping the rings.

This is one task that may be best left to a trim shop. Ask me how I know:)

Good luck,
Bryan

I'll bite, Bryan... How do you know? Thanks!

seat bottom cushions are interchangeable, side to side. The seat backs are not due to the airbag and hole for the lumbar adjustment.

The only 'trick' is to cut off the metal hog clips and use plastic zip ties when you put it back together. I use the small zip ties, about 4 inches long.

Remember, there are 2 hog clips about half way between the front and rear of the seat. Removing the plastic cover over the seat control buttons, lift the front up and then shove it rearward. Place the red plastic over the detonator button.

Klaus
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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic

As always, thank, Klaus! (What is the "detonator button"?)

The SIPS air bag in the seat back is activated by something penetrating or denting the front door enough that it will touch your seat, think Tbone collision! You will see the mushroom sized button under the plastic cover. Do NOT hit it with a hammer :) or drop the seat on the floor of your garage.

It does take some force to move the button, and the red plastic gizmo is there to prevent accidental pushing. The button is like a plunger on a detonator used by people who blow up buildings and such, it generates just enough electricity to excite the detonator which then causes the air bag to deploy, the airbag actually rips through the side of the seat cover.

As to the wires under the seat, don't mess with them if you don't have to. The plugs are under the front of the seat. It helps to have the seat bottom raised as much as possible, slide it forward to unbolt the rear bolts, and then slide it rearwards to expose the front bolts. Then just lift the seat out of the car to give your self lots of room to work.

If you want to 'bolster up' the foam cushions, use fabric glue and glue large pieces of blue jean material to the foam. You won't feel the material under the leather covers.

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My name is Klaus and I am a V ♂ lv ♂ holic