Front seat lowering - who's tried 'proper' mods?

[rickyquicky]

Since I bought my clio last month i've been seriously looking into getting the front seats a good inch lower.

Recaro's are more money than i'm willing to spend for 10mm drop, and all the other tips such as removing the rubber grommets, which again only result in 10mm drop.

There MUST be a way to get the seats down a bit, has anyone had a proper good go at it?

- Subframe taken off, cut down and re-welded/redesigned?
- Seat foam at the bottom, taken out and then cut down neatly to make you sit deeper down into the seat?
- Removing the rubber grommets and cutting a strip of carpet out neatly so the slider works and you get the extra 4-5mm from the carpet being removed on top of the 10mm from the rubber washer things?

Any other ideas/attempts?

 

[patrick_]

Some guy on our dutch forum claimed he lowered the drivers' seat -15 mm by removing bushes/spacers where it's mounted on. He also said that you must not forget the re-fit the rings, otherwise you can't adjust the seat anymore.

 

[Jon.G]

Some guy on our dutch forum claimed he lowered the drivers' seat -15 mm by removing bushes/spacers where it's mounted on. He also said that you must not forget the re-fit the rings, otherwise you can't adjust the seat anymore.

This works, I've done it. It's not really 'proper' lowering though.

 

[rickyquicky]

Thanks guys i've read all about the removing the bushes/spacers that the seats are mounted on, I suppose by cutting out just the bit of carpet directly underneath the seat sliders you could squeeze an extra few mm of lowering.

I'm surprised that more people haven't tried customising the standard subframe. I was hoping to get a bit of information before I take a seat out and have a look and maybe even attempt it

 

[jesus]

Some guy on our dutch forum claimed he lowered the drivers' seat -15 mm by removing bushes/spacers where it's mounted on. He also said that you must not forget the re-fit the rings, otherwise you can't adjust the seat anymore.

Would it still slide or is that a daft question? Any other negative effects it might have?

 

[rickyquicky]

From what I have read it looks like it won't slide, or best-case it will slide but will be quite stiff as the runners will be rubbing against the carpet.

Some people fit a few washers to give you just enough clearance to move the seat still.

Thats why I suggested cutting out a strip of carpet directly under the seat runners, I know its clutching at straws but you wouldn't need the washers and would get a few extra mm drop too...

 

[jesus]

Hmm, wondering if it would be different for Recaros. Might just leave them tbh!

 

[Jamie86]

You can get them too slide albeit stiff by just putting a penny washer back in its place after taking them out.

Is noticeable difference as well.

 

[Jon.G]

I took mine out Jamie and put a washer in so its not on the carpet. It still rubs and it's hard to slide the seat.

 

[Jamie86]

Agreed Jon it is rather stiff.. but does actually move..

 

[rickyquicky]

Do you think cutting out the little bit of carpet under the runners would work?

 

[.Ben.]

^ The carpet, when compressed, can't be more than 3mm - surely? Doubt you'd notice it?

 

[rickyquicky]

^ The carpet, when compressed, can't be more than 3mm - surely? Doubt you'd notice it?

I know its not loads, but its the 3mm plus the fact you wouldn't need to use washers to raise the runners over the carpet to stop it rubbing when you want to adjust the seat

If you were to remove the washers/bushes/spacers plus cut out a section of carpet you may be able to get 15mm drop which is worth doing IMO

Do standard clio seats use the same subframe out of interest? Because I want to get a cheap seat to experiment with taking an inch out of the subframe itself

 

[Jon.G]

Iirc they all use the same. Obviously make sure it's for a 3door car.

The trendlines in the trophy are suppose to be lower than standard seats anyway, but I want more of a drop

The carpet does rub slightly and is hat to move when nobody is sat on it. But when you're on it, it's easy enough to move.