RECARO LXD Suspension Refresh

[im3crazy]

Some time back I purchased a set of mint condition appearance Recaro LXD L-Series Modular seats in a soft black fabric.  Beauty was indeed skin deep on these two. 

 

 

Some point in their past a PO replaced a weak suspension with an alternative suspension approach  -  yes the dreaded 1/4" plywood sheet.  The seat base alone in my opinion is just not enough, and not the proper suspension for me. 

 

We have rebuilt and reupholstered about a dozen of these and their variants over the past decade and have found the following the best, most traditional suspension approach which I have come to prefer over the semi-elastic webbing.  I never liked the webbing's support which I found too firm and not compliant.

 

The webbing was acceptable on bumps and bounces with a high moment of force, but it didn't provide enough compliance as a driver needs when generally moving about in a seat; it just was too stiff and didn't give as you re-position yourself on long rides.

 

I removed the plywood and added a suspension system of 3/4" x 2" "75 lb" tension springs [Lowes],

 

 

a couple of feet each of 3/8" aluminum rod stock,

 

 

and about 20' of nylon webbing. 

 

 

Although the webbing gives a bit, the springs and the interplay of the side-to-side and front-to-back tension really gives an extremely comfortable, long-lasting ride with little fatigue.

 

 

We zig zag stitched the nylon with a heavy duty nylon thread,

 

 

ran the rods through the front and back and sides,

 

 

then attached the 10 side springs to the existing holes and added a six new holes where needed for the springs to the seat base front and rear. 

 

 

The side-to-side and front-to-rear rods meet and over lap to provide additional support especially at the rear.

 

 

As you see in the images, you can pull the webbing with about 20 lbs of force and it just deflects slightly.  When you're seated, you are expanding the springs about 25% of their travel, leaving plenty of room for further excursion.

 

 

We were lucky that these were in unused condition and didn't need a recover; we're finding it harder to get the Nardo and Alcanterra in popular colors for reasonable prices.

 

Enjoy!

Edited March 26, 2016 by im3crazy