Z3 Changing seat bushes

drillerman · Post by **drillerman** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 09:26

Hi Everyone,

I thought I would share my experience of changing the seat bushes, which I did yesterday with the help from my brother.
I am a complete Newbie when it comes to tinkering on cars so I did approach this job with a bit of trepidation. Not sure how much this would have cost to have done "professionally" but I am sure it would have cost quite a lot!
Two people are best for this job as it is easier to disconnect the looms while someone is holding the seat. Seat movement is a very common problem with the Z3 that, on braking and accelerating the seat moves backwards and forward. This is caused by wear on the rubber bushes.
I won't go into how to actually change them as there are videos on youtube on how to do this. However, I will share with you the bits they don't tell you.

Here we go then.

What you will need is a standard socket set and non tamper (star) key set, grease, nylon bushes ( bought these from Aceman for £12.00 inc P&P, bit expensive for what they are really), coarse sandpaper.

This is the order I did the repair in and had no problems with any electric systems.

1. Undo the four bolts that hold the seat and rails to the car making sure that you have the seat all the way forward after all the bolts are removed (***VERY IMPORTANT).
2. Then disconnect the battery. I think you have to wait a while to clear the computer?(maybe someone knows about this. I waited about 5 mins and it was fine)
3. Then disconnect the looms from the bottom of the seat.
4. Lift out the seat
5. Effect the repair.

The reason it's important to have the seat all the way forward is so you can get to and undo the large star bolt that holds the long screw in place.

If you buy the bushes from Aceman you will need to sand them down to fit either side of the holding bush. It didn't take long but just make sure you don't sand too much off of them. A good tight fit with no play is what you need.

It is only important to make sure the holding bushes are in the correct position when re-installing. All I did was count 20 turns on each bush before re-inserting the screw back into the slider. This worked fine for me.

6. Lift seat back into car
7. Re-connect the seat looms
8. Nip up the front screws
9. Re-connect battery
10. check the seat moves.
11. Tighten all the bolts

Done!!

It certainly wasn't as tricky as I thought it would be and I had no trouble with electrics or computers by doing it in the order above.
..............and saved a lot of money too!!!!

Hope this helps anyone that is thinking of doing this job.

Boysie · Post by **Boysie** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 09:36

This something i keep putting off
and must do

drillerman · Post by **drillerman** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 09:45

Gotta say, the car feels so much better to drive. it almost feels newer!

aceman · Post by **aceman** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 12:51

Good to hear you fitted the bushes OK and you didn't find it too difficult a job to do. I hope this gives other people the urge to have a go themselves (boysie

)

Zedona · Post by **Zedona** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 15:22

If you think Aceman is expensive try looking elswhere, his prices are a real bargain.
I changed my bushes (from Aceman) several years ago, makes a BIG improvement.

But boy were my fingers sore from sanding them to fit.

Boysie · Post by **Boysie** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 17:40

Zedona wrote:If you think Aceman is expensive try looking elswhere, his prices are a real bargain.
I changed my bushes (from Aceman) several years ago, makes a BIG improvement.
But boy were my fingers sore from sanding them to fit.

Mine are sitting in the drawer,
but after my shoulder op in a few weeks, in the sun they will be done
That rhymed

no more slip slidding away

Gazza · Post by **Gazza** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 18:59

I've had a set for years, still not got around to fitting them :/

Badman gee · Post by **Badman gee** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 19:08

Mine doesn't need them, mind you how can you tell

aceman · Post by **aceman** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 19:21

You can tell Mark if you actualy drive your zed.

Badman gee · Post by **Badman gee** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 19:24

aceman wrote:You can tell Mark if you drive your zed.

seriously the seats are fine

aceman · Post by **aceman** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 19:27

I know only jesting.

Some zeds don't seem to be afflicted by this problem for some resson even regularly used ones but for sure it is one of the most common problems they suffer from.

Badman gee · Post by **Badman gee** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 19:40

aceman wrote:I know only jesting.

Some zeds don't seem to be afflicted by this problem for some resson even regularly used ones but for sure it is one of the most common problems they suffer from.

oh, i suppose it depends on how often you move them?

Boysie · Post by **Boysie** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 21:42

Badman gee wrote:
aceman wrote:I know only jesting.

Some zeds don't seem to be afflicted by this problem for some resson even regularly used ones but for sure it is one of the most common problems they suffer from.
oh, i suppose it depends on how often you move them?

Mark
My seat stays in one position. I'm the only person who drives it
but i think there is a bit of movement
I also have as far back as it can go
I know the passenger needs them

Post by **Robert T** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 21:50

Did mine last year and you can feel the difference. The main symptom I felt was when braking to a standstill for traffic lights, the seat carried on moving after the car stopped. It's a really disconcerting feeling. Feels like new again after fitting the bushes and they should last a lot longer than the rubber ones.

Cheers R.

Sent from my Galaxy SII using Tapatalk 2

Badman gee · Post by **Badman gee** » Tue 02 Apr, 2013 22:01

Robert T wrote:Did mine last year and you can feel the difference. The main symptom I felt was when braking to a standstill for traffic lights, the seat carried on moving after the car stopped. It's a really disconcerting feeling. Feels like new again after fitting the bushes and they should last a lot longer than the rubber ones.

Cheers R.

Sent from my Galaxy SII using Tapatalk 2

thanks for the feedback.

mine is ok then

Rafolian · Post by **Rafolian** » Thu 04 Apr, 2013 19:54

Got my bushes from aceman in just over a week (to Spain!). Very straightforward to fit thanks to members info!
Didn't disconnect the battery and had the radio on. (Reset airbag light with resetting tool off e-bay for about 20 quid).
Rubber ones where well knackered, but have lasted almost 15 years so nylon ones should last forever!
Sanded first 2 down by hand which took about 15 minutes and thought sod that and got the belt sander out!
Second 2 tool about 2 minutes.
Result, 100% improvement, recommended!

Del · Post by **Del** » Thu 04 Apr, 2013 20:17

Did mine last year – and took the opportunity to re-grease the runners that looked a bit dry on mine. I think the original rubber buffers are a design fault in that they seem to have reacted with the original grease and break down into a gooey mess. I’ve seen postings on this forum from owners with low mileage cars having the same problem – even on the passenger seat.

zroadster.net

Z3 Changing seat bushes

Z3 Changing seat bushes

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