Driving on a Rocking Chair? ... Fix those Broken Seat Supports!

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

This writeup is for the Third Gen Subaru Leone, a.k.a: "Loyale" or "EA82" etc, 

but the ideas given here might work, with some changes, to other vehicles as well.

 

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Have you ever felt the Seat on your Subie like a Rocking Chair?

 

The Subaru EA82 GL has a Complicated Air Conditioner Distribution Design, which includes a couple of Ducts under the Front Seats, one ends there to deliver Air to the Rear Passenger's Feet, and the other Duct delivers Air to the Rear Doors' Windows; this last Duct, passes through one of the Front seat supports, weakening its structure somehow.

 

The Weakest Front Seat Support, is the one located at the Rear of them, next to the point where the Seat Belt Anchors; there is the A/C Duct passing in the middle of said Support. I've seen some local Subies with those Supports Broken, especially the Driver's side one, and the owners didn't knew the reason why their Driver's side seat was loose and / or way too much reclined to the Back... (when said support is not only Broken, but also Deformed for using it like that) ...I Bet that many Subie owners could have same issue on their cars, without even knowing, nor completely noticing it.

 

So, that support on the Driver's Side in my Subaru "BumbleBeast" has broken for the Second Time... I Know: I am a Big Guy, 6' tall and over 110 Kg driving an Old Subie Wagon with Hardened "Reinforced" suspension, so the autogenous welding I did a couple of years ago to simply put that broken support together, will never last too much... so this was the Perfect Time to Reinforce that Seat Support and permanently getting Rid from that problem.

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

To find the Broken Seat Support, First you need to Remove the Seat:

 

 

 

 

Remove the Plastic Fasteners that holds the Carpet in Place, to Remove the Carpet:

 

 

 

 

In the Photo Above you can see the infamous A/C Duct going Thru the Support,

 

Here is Said Duct, already Removed from the Car, it is a two-Pieces Plastic Duct:

 

 

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

Here you can see the Seat Support and its Broken Area;

 

Notice that the Gasoline & Brake Lines goes above of it, inside the Car:

 

 

 

 

I obtained a Thick, 3/16" Hardened Sheet Metal,

 

and made a couple of 90º angled Reinforcements for both sides:

 

 

 

 

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

Then, after taking the Measurements, I made a Plate of same Sheet Metal,

 

and welded together it with both angled Reinforcements, as a Unique Structure:

 

 

 

 

 

This is How the thing Looks Like, placed over my "BumbleBeast"

 

 

 

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

Finally, I Cleaned the Broken Support's Surrounding Area, 

 

and Welded the thick Reinforcement Plate I Made, to it:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

This is How it looks the Reinforced Support, once I finished the Welding Job:

 

 

 

 

[Loyale 2.7 Turbo]

After some Cleansing, I Sprayed some Black Rustoleum Paint inside and Outside:

 

 

 

 

 

Re-Placed the infamous A/C Duct, back on its Place:

 

 

 

 

And Voilá!!! ... ... the Job is Done after reinstalling everything back in the Car:

 

 

 

Now the Driver's Seat feels Firmer and a little Taller,

 

offers the proper Back Support and does not move anymore!!!

 

I Hope this ideas be Helpful for more Subie Owners...

 

Kind Regards.