Write Up 2014 Seat Bush Workshop Day

pgunter

pgunter

Zorg Guru (V)
Supporter
British Zeds
#ZedShed
Joined
Aug 15, 2014
Points
185
Location
Winchester
Model of Z
2.2i Sport Zedshed Special
Thank you to all that attended ... it was a great laugh and I think we all learned a little bit more.. As for the sandpaper.. we made up a little wooden block with a bush sized dip.. worked really well with the sander..

Hope you all enjoyed it..
 
Likewise, it was a great day, enjoyed the company nice to meet you all and I think we all learnt something. Lee certainly got quicker as the day went on, Duncan certainly got a sweat on! It didn't take long before the shirt was off! Great hospitality Paul.
I hope those who are going to Santa Pod tomorrow also have great day.
Can't wait for the next excuse for a workshop day.
 
What an interesting day, not just for the training on seat bushes. Got to meet some new faces, and in total we had 7 Z3's attend :)

@pgunter (right) & @Nifty Fifty (left)
2 of the 7 Z3's attending

2 of the 7 Z3's attending

  • Media owner GazHyde
  • Date added
ZRoadster.org BMW Z3 Seat Bush Workshop

Overflow car park provided by Paul's next door neighbour. Zeds lined up nervously awaiting being tinkered with...
5 more Z3's parked next door

5 more Z3's parked next door

  • Media owner GazHyde
  • Date added
ZRoadster.org BMW Z3 Seat Bush Workshop

On to the action now with @Lee showing us the seat removal process. 2 nuts at the front, and 2 bolts at the back!
Starting to remove seats from the first Z3

Starting to remove seats from the first Z3

  • Media owner GazHyde
  • Date added
ZRoadster.org BMW Z3 Seat Bush Workshop

At this point we learnt that it was best to make sure that once the seat was unbolted, pushing the seat back as far as possible on the rails was a good idea. We had to put the seat back in temporarily to power it as we couldn't undo the seat rails to remove the kebabs!
Lee getting to grips with the seat rails

Lee getting to grips with the seat rails

  • Media owner GazHyde
  • Date added
ZRoadster.org BMW Z3 Seat Bush Workshop

Got the first seat out of Paul's car and we have a good look at the workings, wiring harness, connectors and motor locations.
The underside of a BMW Z3 Seat

The underside of a BMW Z3 Seat

  • Media owner GazHyde
  • Date added
ZRoadster.org BMW Z3 Seat Bush Workshop

Close of the underside of the seat for people who haven't ever looked ;)
The underside of a BMW Z3 Seat

The underside of a BMW Z3 Seat

  • Media owner GazHyde
  • Date added
ZRoadster.org BMW Z3 Seat Bush Workshop

Lee removing the bolts from the seat rails to allow the kebabs to be removed.
Undoing the seat bush kebabs to remove them

Undoing the seat bush kebabs to remove them

  • Media owner GazHyde
  • Date added
ZRoadster.org BMW Z3 Seat Bush Workshop

Continued...
 
The seat bushes once removed from Paul's drivers seat didn't look to be in bad condition. However on closer inspection they were starting to deform slightly. We fitted the new bushes any as it was in bits!
Seat bushes look OK, but starting to deform slightly

Seat bushes look OK, but starting to deform slightly

  • Media owner GazHyde
  • Date added
ZRoadster.org BMW Z3 Seat Bush Workshop

The bushes as supplied are thicker than needed and require sanding down to the correct width. We tried several techniques, but eventually designed and built a block of wood with a square hole in it to hold the bush in place! It was way more efficient than our first attempt in this picture...
Paul sanding a set of bushes down to the correct fit

Paul sanding a set of bushes down to the correct fit

  • Media owner GazHyde
  • Date added
ZRoadster.org BMW Z3 Seat Bush Workshop

Next up was @La_vida_diver's car. I have a video of how bad his seats rocked which I'll upload when I get chance. The next couple of pictures show how bad his bushes had deteriorated.

The first kebab showing badly deteriorated bushes.
Kebab 2 bushes seriously deteriorated

Kebab 2 bushes seriously deteriorated

  • Media owner GazHyde
  • Date added
ZRoadster.org BMW Z3 Seat Bush Workshop

Second kebab again with seriously deteriorated bushes.
Kebab 1 bushes seriously deteriorated

Kebab 1 bushes seriously deteriorated

  • Media owner GazHyde
  • Date added
ZRoadster.org BMW Z3 Seat Bush Workshop

What was left once the bushes were removed from the kebabs. No doubt these were seriously in need of replacment!
Duncans seat bushes once removed from kebabs

Duncans seat bushes once removed from kebabs

  • Media owner GazHyde
  • Date added
ZRoadster.org BMW Z3 Seat Bush Workshop

Newly fitted bushes in the kebabs ready to stop @La_vida_diver a rockin' and a rollin' in his Zed :) Reminded me a bit of an ice cream sandwich!
New seat bushes fitted

New seat bushes fitted

  • Media owner GazHyde
  • Date added
ZRoadster.org BMW Z3 Seat Bush Workshop Day
 
Duncan how on earth have you managed to track your zed with that much play in your seats. Slap your wrists for leaving it so long. :ymdevil:
 
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Reactions: Lee
Aceman said:
Duncan how on earth have you managed to track your zed with that much play in your seats. Slap your wrists for leaving it so long. :ymdevil:
Click to expand...
He followed me back to Newbury as it's on the way to the Santa Pod hotel, and he was so pleased with the difference it made. He then treated it to a wash/wash/hoover session at my preferred local hand car wash establishment. Funniest bit though was when he asked to borrow a damp cloth from one of the guys and proceeded to wipe down the engine bay.

Yes, that's Duncan cleaning his engine! I should have taken a photo, but I was too shocked :ymdevil:
 
GazHyde said:
He followed me back to Newbury as it's on the way to the Santa Pod hotel, and he was so pleased with the difference it made. He then treated it to a wash/wash/hoover session at my preferred local hand car wash establishment. Funniest bit though was when he asked to borrow a damp cloth from one of the guys and proceeded to wipe down the engine bay.

Yes, that's Duncan cleaning his engine! I should have taken a photo, but I was too shocked :ymdevil:
Click to expand...
What do you mean I do that too when I wash the car, isn't that normal ?
 
Aceman said:
Duncan how on earth have you managed to track your zed with that much play in your seats. Slap your wrists for leaving it so long. :ymdevil:
Click to expand...

David Cullen said:
looked like a good educational day out, nice pics guys, well done ;-)
Click to expand...

How did I manage? Good question, I suppose in ignorance! If you are blind how do you choose your favourite colour? But I really would like to know what difference it would have made to my track experience.but Black is retired and deserves TLC.

It really found it educational, and such a blast loads of humour and banter, made me reminisce about our outing to Meguirars ( pardon the spelling), and drives round the Evo.. And... And... And. And the car is so much more pleasurable to drive!
 
Mine were looking in the same way.
It's good to know that this is the only serious weak point of our car......;)
It's more fun when you do the replacement with the friends.
Great job!
P1310065.webp
 
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