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Re: How to prevent bent seat rails (archive)
[ Follow Ups ] [ 2002 Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by milton on May 22, 2000 at 11:30:41:

In Reply to: How to prevent bent seat rails posted by Dwight H. on May 21, 2000 at 23:00:21:

This may be half helpful. On my drivers side, I was tired of reinforcing/repairing the mount after every track event, so when I installed the Sparco, I cut it out and built a much stronger replacement.

Essentially, I just removed the door side mount platform (an annoying place to cut since it's a bunch of flimsy metal sitt'n up in the corner between the rocker and the floor pan). Then ground down the metal I couldn't get to with the cutt'n tools. Once the area was prepp'd, I just took a heavy, box'd metal rail and installed it there at a height matching the platform which remains on the tranny tunnel. Then joined the two platforms with L beams (one for the front of the seat and a second for the rear of the seat). After typing, I've realized that this'll only work if you are also replacing the factory sliders (had to w/ the Sparco).

But, option two would be a little easier and involve more BMW parts. When you do the swap to 320i recaro's, keep the 320 slider instead of trashing it (I've dumped way too many myself). Then cut off both sides of the platform instead of just the outer side. You'll need to attach one box to the short side of the 320 slider arrangement (look it's pretty obvious when look'n) to keep the seat level, and it may take a little creative ingenuity on the tunnel side since the '02 seat was never lined up directly with the steering wheel in the first place - get it as tight to the tunnel as possible.

I'm debating right now whether to repair/reinforce the passenger side - last solo 2 passenger got a nice surprise - or just fab up something better.

BTW, even in stock class CCA club racing, the '02 seat platform holds the distinction of being the only model that requires reengineering by regulation for club racing, so ...

hth,

milton

: Anyone have any experience with strengthening the seat rail mounts on the body, especially the ouboard ones? Mine are beginning to crack on the rear mount due to poor support and the rails are bent.



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