My wife has notified me that the seat in her 76 TR6 has 'gone back to the
way it was before", indicating a possible diaphram failure. I haven't
looked yet, but these are TRF parts. Even so, it may not be the parts
fault, since the late 76 TR6 originally had a different wire and rubber
strap set-up and I used the diaphram.
Bob Kramer
rgk@flash.net
----------
> From: Peter Zaborski <peterz@merak.com>
> To: 'TR6 List' <triumphs@autox.team.net>
> Subject: RE: tr6 seat diaphragms
> Date: Tuesday, March 23, 1999 10:58 AM
>
>
> This is a follow-up to the earlier post I made (included below) regarding
my
> recent experience with seat diaphragms in my TR6. Hopefully it will be of
> interest to others pondering replacing these items.
>
> Note: this is not intended as a slam against TRF or an endorsement of
Moss.
> It is merely a "field test" based on a very limited sample set. YMMV.
>
> As the post below states, I got two diaphragms from TRF and upon
installing
> one of them, it split. I subsequently found out that diaphragms are one
if
> the items TRF has made to their specs (in Taiwan). Further, Moss (and
others
> I'm sure) sell diaphragms made in England. I ordered and received two
such
> diaphragms from my local Moss distributor. There definitely is a
difference
> in the two products.
>
> The main differences are the thickness, size and elasticity of the two
> products. The TRF one is somewhat thicker and has a larger area (when not
> installed). It is also much less elastic. The Moss one is slightly
thinner,
> quite a bit smaller and much more elastic. The support seems to be about
the
> same with both. The thing I didn't like about the TRF one was the
> "stiffness" compared to the Moss one. It almost seems as if the TRF ones
are
> made of a lower grade (elastically speaking) of rubber/plastic. The Moss
> ones fell more supple and stretchy. I don't think the thickness is the
only
> reason for this -- I think the material also plays a part.
>
> In keeping with the originality and accuracy claims made by TRF, their
> diaphragms have the extra holes for the seat switch fitted to later cars.
> The Moss ones have no such provision. No sweat for me but the real
purists
> might want to take note.
>
> In all fairness to TRF, they were very gracious when I called about my
split
> diaphragm and said no problem just return it. They also stated they sell
> about 1500 per year and have very few problems. Maybe I just got a bad
> example. I never tried installing the second one I received from them to
see
> if too would split.
>
> PS. I found it better to reuse the original hooks rather than the new
ones
> supplied. They have an additional bend which makes installation a little
> easier cuz the rubber does not have to stretch quite as far (almost 1/4"
> less).
>
> PS2. I'm not (personally) looking for testimonials of TRF diaphragm
success
> stories (although others may want to hear them). I'm just passing on my
own
> experience, that's all. And I have no interest in Moss or TRF other than
> being a customer of both and happy they supply parts for these cars.
>
> Peter Zaborski CF58310UO
>
>
> > From: Peter Zaborski
> > Sent: Monday, February 15, 1999 11:51 AM
> >
> > There's been a lot of discussion lately about TR6 seat foams.
> > I thought my slightly saggy seat was in need of a rebuild. It
> > turns out a new diaphragm is all I need. I installed one on
> > the driver's seat and the seat is back to normal. There is a
> > catch however...
> >
> > First, my car is a late, late TR6. Which means it originally
> > has the webbing type of seat support in place of the rubber
> > diaphragms (check the TRF catalog for details). A couple of
> > years ago one of the webbing straps on the driver's seat
> > broke. I had it replaced at an upholstery shop. I don't think
> > they did a very good job as the seat was still somewhat soft.
> > So recently I got some new diaphragms from TRF. I began with
> > the driver's side seat but in order to install the diaphragm,
> > I needed to drill some new holes in the frame -- the original
> > holes from the webbing frame did not match the diaphragm
> > holes. No biggie, I drilled the holes and the diaphragm went
> > in without a hitch. The seat is way more comfortable now and
> > I am sure this is the cure.
> >
> > However, I just noticed that the diaphragm has already
> > started to split in a small section of the middle part (not
> > adjacent to any of the clips). I am certainly no heavyweight
> > (175 lbs). Did I get a defective part from TRF or are the new
> > diaphragms really that cheap? What is the opinion of the list
> > on the replacement diaphragms? Are there better sources than
> > TRF or are all the diaphragms the same?
> >
> > FWIW, I plan to call TRF tomorrow and I'm sure they will
> > rectify the situation but what I really want is to make the
> > repair and forget about it -- I don't want to install cheap
> > parts which will just fail shortly. I could always have the
> > webbing straps rebuilt with heavy duty materials but the
> > diaphragm seems like a better solution (if it works properly!).
> >
> > Any info greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Peter Zaborski CF58310UO
> >
|