Reskinning my drivers seat.

[Phrede]

First off season project was to replace my driver seat cushions and covers. I'm a bit disappointed in the premature wear but can't say what the previous owner did. It does look a little like wear from some kind of belt holster. It was not that bad but I'm concerned with parts availability so I'm doing it now. I purchased all 6 pieces of covers and foam (2 separate sections on the back) for the drivers seat. $675

I've discovered that the bottom foam was incorrectly installed from the beginning and the duct for the heat/cool was never aligned. This caused low airflow. A minor complaint since I bought the car and now know why.

What have others done about stapling the bottom cover tabs in the back. Will a normal stapler work in the composite? Other suggestions?

Here is a picture of the seat stripped. Notice the date on the back. This is the second place I have found handwritten dates.

A problem that stopped my progress is that the new seat bottom is missing the heavy plastic film off the bottom needed for proper air flow of the heating/cooling. Here is a side by side picture of the two. Notice the marks left from the duct misalignment.

I think this is simply an oversight when it was made as the new back has the same film in place. The dealer is at loss and is claiming they have to go back to GM engineering since it does not appear in the parts diagram. Has anybody else ever had this problem?

 

[ccclarke]

I just took a look at my spare driver's side cushion, and the backing on the bottom to channel air flow is in place, so your new one shold have come as a complete assembly.

A staple gun should be more than sufficent to clinch into the composite seat frame.

While you have your seat out, it wouldn't hurt to remove the fan/filter cover on the cooling module mounted to the frame. If the filter is funky, a shop vac should restore it to near-new, and it will improve airflow into the sea cushion and seatback cushion. I also lifted the driver's side carpet to vacuum and was surprised at all the stuff I found.

CC

 

[Phrede]

Thanks CC,

I was going to clean the carpet but did not think to go under the carpet. I've never tried to staple into a composite and figured the factory had some kind of pneumatic "nail gun" type thing. The blower filter looks new. Considering the dealer replaced the blower recently in an attempt to correct the airflow it really is new. All good advice.

My big problem is convincing the dealer that what they sent is wrong/faulty and a replacement is needed. Who knows how long it will take to get them to communicate with and get an answer from Engineering.

I just noticed that two days ago my seat was exactly 5 years old

 

[CadillacCustomerService]

Thanks CC,

I was going to clean the carpet but did not think to go under the carpet. I've never tried to staple into a composite and figured the factory had some kind of pneumatic "nail gun" type thing. The blower filter looks new. Considering the dealer replaced the blower recently in an attempt to correct the airflow it really is new. All good advice.

My big problem is convincing the dealer that what they sent is wrong/faulty and a replacement is needed. Who knows how long it will take to get them to communicate with and get an answer from Engineering.

I just noticed that two days ago my seat was exactly 5 years old

Please keep us updated in regards to this issue. If you have any concerns, please send a PM. Thank you and have a good weekend.

Matt,

Cadillac Customer Assistance

 

[Phrede]

Please keep us updated in regards to this issue. If you have any concerns, please send a PM. Thank you and have a good weekend.

Matt,

Cadillac Customer Assistance

Thanks Matt I appreciate your taking an interest.

 

[CadillacCustomerService]

Thanks Matt I appreciate your taking an interest.

You're welcome! Keep us updated please.

 

[onalaska]

Fred, thanks for the pictures of the disassembeled seat. I was thinking about how I could reduce the tension in the seat bottom cushon to make it more comfortable for my small frame. It looks like I could remove one or more of the springs that are used to tension the wire frame and possibley allow a little more give in the bottom cushion. I know the density of the bottom foam cushion may be the real determining factor though.

 

[Phrede]

You're welcome! Keep us updated please.

I have received an email from the dealer (GMPARTSHOUSE.COM) stating they are forwarding my pictures to engineering to "see what they can come up with". I was told on the phone yesterday that this could take "maybe months" to get a response.

To me this is clearly a part that was incorrectly manufactured and was not caught by QC. It should be a straight forward re-ship.

Matt, anything you can do is appreciated. Please let me know if you need anymore information.

 

[Phrede]

Update:
The dealer called and told me that the replacement seat bottom foam they received from GM has the same issue as the one they sent me at first. They now clam that GM has to send an engineer to the mfg. plant. I suppose they do not have phones

I'm considering sending my faulty one back to the dealer and purchasing from somewhere else that gets sourced from a different warehouse.

 

[Phrede]

Update:
The dealer called and told me that the replacement seat bottom foam they received from GM has the same issue as the one they sent me at first. They now clam that GM has to send an engineer to the mfg. plant. I suppose they do not have phones

I'm considering sending my faulty one back to the dealer and purchasing from somewhere else that gets sourced from a different warehouse.

Still no progress getting a properly made part. The dealer gave me a case number and said that they are pulling the original design! Sure wish I had some other path.

 

[Phrede]

This is getting very frustrating and is now to the point of being ridiculous. No one can resolve the issue and offers no explanation other than "someone" is looking into it. This "someone" remains nameless. A classic case of passing the buck. Oh, I do have a case number 71-1137963578 FWIW. No anticipated time to resolution or other options. Simply amazing that getting a standard part will take months, if at all, on a 4 year old vehicle. I wonder if Hyundai has this same problem?

BTW, The roof is not operable with the drivers seat disconnected.

 

[First Robin]

Regional/Zone Manager

Sounds to me it is past time to be contacting your regional/zone manager plus a call to Cadillac Customer Relations. Should not take that long to get a part that is correct. Good luck!

 

[Phrede]

Sounds to me it is past time to be contacting your regional/zone manager plus a call to Cadillac Customer Relations. Should not take that long to get a part that is correct. Good luck!

Customer Assurance is involved. As is Matt from this forum. I've been told Regional and District level reps are also involved, but they will not contact me nor will anyone provide me their contact info.

 

[WB6BBZ]

Phrede,

First, I have to comment on the spelling of your name. Every time I see it, this silly song comes to mind "I'm in love with a big Green Phrog". Have you ever heard it?

Second, have you considered GMs position on how many man hours they can spend trying to resolve your problem or any problems with a DISCONTUED PRODUCT?
Don't think that I'm not on your side because I'm with you all the way, as a matter-of-fact I've resently come across a web site that may help get your message out to the public. Its 'www.pi$$'dconsumer.com.'
The way I came acrossed it was back in the middle of Dec., a Lady I meant in Mississippi while returning from my Texas Mile and visit with relatives in Fl. her father passed away so I tried to send her flowers for the Funeral through FTD and after a week, 4 days after the funeral, she hadn't got them and when I tried to cancel the order they wouldn't let me saying "Your order is out for delivery". This email was sent back to me after only 5 minutes of my request for cancellation. This is NOT the same FTD we used to love and use! It's now owned by an Asian country company that dose not seem to care anything about the American consumer except getting as much money from us as they can without providing any product or service.
I'll get off my Soapbox now and retire back into the woodwork.

 

[Phrede]

I have not heard the song but now have to go find it.

The last call from customer assistance is that they do not help with parts issues. DUH, why did they not say that months ago when they first got started? I am getting nothing but a run around.

I understand this is a discontinued product, but the dealer did sell it to me, and has collected their money. Is there not a federal law mandating replacement part availability for at least 10 years?

It appears to me that a correct part will never be available and there is no one that can resolve the issue. I don't know if any of the other auto makers are any better or worse. I do know that this problem did factor in to my decision what to buy this week when I bought a new, non-GM car.

I MUST solve this problem so now I have to come up with a plan B. That means finding out what the material is of the plastic film, finding where I can buy some and glue it to the seat foam myself. Thanks a lot Cadillac.

Does anyone know anyone knowledgeable with foam/plastics that I can pick their brain?

 

[Phrede]

Phrede,

First, I have to comment on the spelling of your name. Every time I see it, this silly song comes to mind "I'm in love with a big Green Phrog". Have you ever heard it?

Second, have you considered GMs position on how many man hours they can spend trying to resolve your problem or any problems with a DISCONTUED PRODUCT?
Don't think that I'm not on your side because I'm with you all the way, as a matter-of-fact I've resently come across a web site that may help get your message out to the public. Its 'www.pi$$'dconsumer.com.'
The way I came acrossed it was back in the middle of Dec., a Lady I meant in Mississippi while returning from my Texas Mile and visit with relatives in Fl. her father passed away so I tried to send her flowers for the Funeral through FTD and after a week, 4 days after the funeral, she hadn't got them and when I tried to cancel the order they wouldn't let me saying "Your order is out for delivery". This email was sent back to me after only 5 minutes of my request for cancellation. This is NOT the same FTD we used to love and use! It's now owned by an Asian country company that dose not seem to care anything about the American consumer except getting as much money from us as they can without providing any product or service.
I'll get off my Soapbox now and retire back into the woodwork.

This it?I'm in love with a big blue frog - Peter, Paul and Mary.wmv - YouTube

 

[First Robin]

I have not heard the song but now have to go find it.

The last call from customer assistance is that they do not help with parts issues. DUH, why did they not say that months ago when they first got started? I am getting nothing but a run around.

I understand this is a discontinued product, but the dealer did sell it to me, and has collected their money. Is there not a federal law mandating replacement part availability for at least 10 years?

It appears to me that a correct part will never be available and there is no one that can resolve the issue. I don't know if any of the other auto makers are any better or worse. I do know that this problem did factor in to my decision what to buy this week when I bought a new, non-GM car.

I MUST solve this problem so now I have to come up with a plan B. That means finding out what the material is of the plastic film, finding where I can buy some and glue it to the seat foam myself. Thanks a lot Cadillac.

Does anyone know anyone knowledgeable with foam/plastics that I can pick their brain?

Since all that has happened with the bail outs I don't know if that Federal Law is still in place. It should be worth while to check it out, if it is I would think all XLR owners would have some recourse on unavailabilty of parts for our vehicles.

 

[First Robin]

Federal Law used to say twenty years but now it is ten years, verified by snoops

 

[Phrede]

Since all that has happened with the bail outs I don't know if that Federal Law is still in place. It should be worth while to check it out, if it is I would think all XLR owners would have some recourse on unavailabilty of parts for our vehicles.

Sure there is recourse. File a suit against a Fortune 50 Company in Federal Court. That's real cost effective

 

[First Robin]

Not if it is a "Class Action Law Suite" which would include all XLR Owners. A large Law Firm would do it with no out of pocket to the victims filing the action.