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A guide to how to guides.

2003 - 2009, roadster, coupe, facelift
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Sgr74
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Post by Sgr74 » Mon Jul 24, 2017 11:19 pm

At the weekend, I changed the leather on my door cards. I fully intended to make a guide. I failed. I took a few pictures, then forgot. I got wrapped up in the job at hand.
Sorry :roll:
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Post by JINGLE » Mon Jul 24, 2017 11:25 pm

You should be very careful when covering the door cards, the original door cards have a stitch along the middle for a reason, the air bag is designed to split it as it inflates so now you have covered it with a single piece although it looks better, it could stop the airbag from inflating properly....

Sorry to put a downer on it as it looks good, but just letting you know :)

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Post by Sgr74 » Tue Jul 25, 2017 12:07 am

Noticed that when stripping them. It's ok since I don't plan on crashing. :thumbsup: That info would have been in the guide.
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Post by JINGLE » Tue Jul 25, 2017 8:00 am

Haha fair enough! Just thought I'd let you know :thumbsup:

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Post by Bing » Tue Jul 25, 2017 10:29 am

Sgr74 wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2017 12:07 am Noticed that when stripping them. It's ok since I don't plan on crashing. :thumbsup: That info would have been in the guide.
Just make sure everyone else on the road knows not to crash into you and you'll be fine. And remember to let the new owner know they can't crash if you ever sell it :thumbsup:
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Post by jamie_z4 » Tue Jul 25, 2017 10:35 am

looks good for a DIY job, have you just sacked the speakers off?
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Post by Sgr74 » Tue Jul 25, 2017 2:13 pm

jamie_z4 wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2017 10:35 am looks good for a DIY job, have you just sacked the speakers off?
Didn't have speakers in the door. Just the grills.
Sneaky.
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Post by Vanne » Tue Jul 25, 2017 5:24 pm

Great job mate, but sadly yeah mate, it is really important for those things to be able to split along where they are supposed to. this goes for your passenger in your car too. No hassle though, its your car, if i were you and you are not intending to re-do them, (which is of course your choice) id de-activate the airbags from the doors.. pretty simple, just unplug. at least then you won't get hit in the head with a flying door cover at mach 3 when it does go off.

anyways, no hassle mate :) it does look good though. :thumbsup:
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Post by Zoomer » Tue Jul 25, 2017 6:47 pm

I think they use special thread for the stitching as well , that has a set strain it can take, before giving way. You probably should tell your insurer as well.
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Post by Sgr74 » Tue Jul 25, 2017 7:18 pm

All valid points. Do the airbags in the seat bolster not do the same or similar job?
I did look at using a part of the rear seat with stitching in it at the airbag, but nothing fitted where it needed to. I think disconnecting them is the way to go. Not ideal, but replacement door cards are crazy money.
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Post by ESP » Tue Jul 25, 2017 8:43 pm

Sgr74 wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2017 7:18 pm All valid points. Do the airbags in the seat bolster not do the same or similar job?
I did look at using a part of the rear seat with stitching in it at the airbag, but nothing fitted where it needed to. I think disconnecting them is the way to go. Not ideal, but replacement door cards are crazy money.
From experience; having someone pulling out at a T-Junction on you as your doing national speed limit is not a nice experience (and also crazy money afterwards), i can assure you i never planned on crashing then, and never have since.
I think your MAD considering disconnecting the air-bags.

Just make-sure you Fully disclose this when you sell the car.
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Post by Sgr74 » Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:31 pm

I think I may bow to pressure on this one and speak to the apholsterer along the road from me. He said he could cover them in a vinyl, which was the same colour and texture for £150. But since the break away stitching is needed, I expect the price will go up. Pity, I was quite proud of my efforts.
I'll let you know what happens.
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Post by Bing » Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:39 pm

Sorry, I was remiss in not complimenting your work, which really is good - my sarcasm bone got the better of me.

As far as I know there are no airbags in the seat bolster. Only doors, steering wheel and above the glovebox - or have I completely missed something about my car for 5 years :?
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Post by Sgr74 » Tue Jul 25, 2017 10:07 pm

Bing wrote: Tue Jul 25, 2017 9:39 pm Sorry, I was remiss in not complimenting your work, which really is good - my sarcasm bone got the better of me.

As far as I know there are no airbags in the seat bolster. Only doors, steering wheel and above the glovebox - or have I completely missed something about my car for 5 years :?
I assumed that since the airbag warning light comes on when you unplug the seats with the battery connected, there was an airbag in the bolster. I must be wrong again.
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Post by Vanne » Wed Jul 26, 2017 3:30 am

The airbag light from the seat comes from the passenger occupancy mat (tells the system you've got someone sitting in the pax seat if there Is weight on the mat) thats the only thing with the seat.. airbag effected, there are a few other codes that pop up for restraints, but that's another issue.

Try find someone who wants to swap your Black ones for Imola, otherwise, just save up and buy the right ones from fleabay.
Your and your pax safety isn't worth while messing with.

Yours does look bloody good though..
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