Do you have these problems with your backseats?

[My_favorite_Brougham]

Does any one else have this problem? I took out the seat and inspected it, but found nothing that could be corrected? The foam is showing underneath, and the seat sinks in when you sit in it. I tried pulling the vynal down but none was there to pull down. Is there a clip or something? If it makes any difference, I do know that this car was used by a family of heavyset people before I got it.



Also, I notice my newspaper/magazine storage things are sagging down. I know a lot of cars do this, but the well kept ones stand out by having these things flat against the seat. Is there a way to make these tight again? Maybe some elastic has worn out??



And does anyone notice their rear armrest not coming down all the way? Because mine didn't, and then ripped when someone leaned on it. It still doen't want to go down all the way because of the leather hanging on. Is there a way to fix this?

[Benzilla]

I've never seen that problem with the seat, none of mine do it.

The storage pockets can usually be "lifted" by tying a know in the elastic, or otherwise shortening it.

The rear armrests don't come down all the way, but should be relatively close to the seat. Not sure how to fix the rip, someone else will tell you.

[creeker]

I have a 80 cdv. there's one person that I have to keep telling to not use the storage pocket to hoist themselves out of the seat with,maybe the heavyset people were doing this also,they can reach the pocket easier than the pull
strap.

[JRau]

On my '91, I don't have any of those issues, there, bud. But I can tell you that the storage pocket thing is most likely because some folks fill those things SO FULL and leave 'em full forever, and it stretches the elastic which is supposed to flex them back to the back of the front seat.

I have a rule in my car, and my kids know it...you can put books or magazines in there while we are traveling, but it comes out when we get home. Also, NO TRASH, no pens or pencils, no bulky toys. Nothing gets stored in those for more than 24 hours that would stretch the elastic. I do keep an original 1991 Cadillac brochure with the original paint & interior choices sheet in the one behind the driver's seat, but that is all, and it doesn't stretch the elastic at all.
In fact, I'm so particular that if there's stuff that we've brought along, I like to put all of it in the trunk when we leave the car unattended. Why? Not because I'm worried about thieves, but because if someone would come up to look at the car, it's in showroom condition on the outside and the inside! I'm a sick puppy...

Your issues are big enough (no pun intended... big people/big issues ) that you need to find yourself a leather repair shop to rebuild the storage pocket, rebuild your seat springs, and re-attach your rear armrest. The armrest thing almost sounds like there isn't enough of the attached leather fabric part, so when the armrest is down, it can't lay flat on the seat, OR, are the rear seatbelts shoved up under it--especially the rear center one... That might be it.

Good luck, and I love the dark blue leather!

JRau in central Iowa

[N0DIH]

GM isn't very good at elastic. Just look at any Old Body Style (OBS) Chevy truck from 92-99 and look at the map holder elastic. If it ever got used, it sags down. My 99 K2500 haven't been used yet, and won't if I have any say in the matter! Kids though, aren't watched all the time though.....

My rear seats don't to that, but my magazine storage does more than I want. I just haven't got in to fix it yet.

As for the tear, check your local Harley shop, they are often whiz's in leather repair. A good upolstry shop should have clips to pull the seat back together. Looks likely to be simple. To be on the cheap, paint the foam black with some brush paint (aerosol will likely dissolve it) or something else to mask it, like black duct tape. Simple, cheap and no one will ever notice it again.

[Benzilla]

Originally Posted by JRau

In fact, I'm so particular that if there's stuff that we've brought along, I like to put all of it in the trunk when we leave the car unattended. Why? Not because I'm worried about thieves, but because if someone would come up to look at the car, it's in showroom condition on the outside and the inside! I'm a sick puppy...



JRau in central Iowa

lol, I'm the same way, I don't even like having an aftermarket cup holder/storage tray on the front hump. If it didn't come with the car, it shouldn't be there . Everybody that rides with me comments on how clean I keep my interior. Then again I'm slightly crazy, I've been late too important meetings because I had to get the water spots and dust off my paint before I let the cars be seen in public. But it pays off, I've gotten countless offers on my caddys, I come out of a store and somebody's waiting for me.

[My_favorite_Brougham]

Thanks for the imput, people. But I think my greatest concern (leather tears and elastic can be easily fixed) is that the foam in the seat has 'reformed' for big people and no longer offers the support that they once did - almost as if it's been permanently flattened and sqooshed out, like toothpaste. Do you think this is the case, that I'll will need a whole new foam section?

[My_favorite_Brougham]

One other quick question:
I have these rear seat belts which were the same up until the 1992 Brougham (when they became a single strap with an ajustable head). Mine, which are pictured below, are always getting in the way, twisting, getting caught, looking ugly, and are just a pain - to look at and use. For those of you who have experienced the 1992-1996 rear belts, are they the same? I know they look better and actually have a place to hang, whereas I have to tuck mine into the seat. But would a replacement be very easy to do?

These are mine:


I want these:

[JRau]

Originally Posted by My_favorite_Brougham

Thanks for the imput, people. But I think my greatest concern (leather tears and elastic can be easily fixed) is that the foam in the seat has 'reformed' for big people and no longer offers the support that they once did - almost as if it's been permanently flattened and sqooshed out, like toothpaste. Do you think this is the case, that I'll will need a whole new foam section?

Yes, this is entirely possible. New foam and new springs (if the spring holds the foam in place) People who are "too short for their weight" really lower the lifespan of things like this. It gets to a point that it has to be all out replaced to have it look/feel right again.

JRau in central Iowa

[JRau]

Originally Posted by My_favorite_Brougham

One other quick question:
I have these rear seat belts which were the same up until the 1992 Brougham (when they became a single strap with an ajustable head). Mine, which are pictured below, are always getting in the way, twisting, getting caught, looking ugly, and are just a pain - to look at and use. For those of you who have experienced the 1992-1996 rear belts, are they the same? I know they look better and actually have a place to hang, whereas I have to tuck mine into the seat. But would a replacement be very easy to do?

These are mine:


I want these:

Didn't know they changed in '92. Hmm. I don't mind the older style--it does take getting used too, though.

BUT--Notice in your '92 shot that the rear armrest doesn't fold flat to the rear seat. I think that's just how they were designed. And actually, it may make some sense...the one in my son's '93 Sedan DeVille does go to the seat, and I find it uncomfortable to lean over to put my elbow/arm down on it. If it was raised up off the rear seat, that might hit your arm better.

JRau in central Iowa

[My_favorite_Brougham]

So how would you suggest I find a replacement rear seat piece of foam? Would a junk brougham from the 80s do?

[JRau]

It would have to depend on whether or not they were identical seats. I would guess the foam is pre-formed, with the leather sewn on top of it. I would think you'd have to find a seat that has the same seat pattern to make it work.

It might not be too much money to go to an auto upholstery place, though. But if you like the salvage yard thing, go for it. The one out here in Iowa isn't all that great, and so I don't have much luck with finding stuff.

Good luck, though.

JRau in central Iowa

[brougham]

It shouldnt be too hard to just get another back seat from a junk yard. Usually they have regular Broughams with leather so even if its not the same colour as yours you can probably take the blue leather off your old one and change it yourself. I think for the armrest Cadillac was just too cheap to put more cloth there. Probably the only reason why they put it there is to hide whats behind it anyway. Usually I like leaving arm rests down but in the Cadillac I never do because it looks like crap. Sedan DeVilles are like that too. For the seatbelt you can probably only use one from a 1992 Brougham. Newer ones are probaby different.