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Seat runners - 1981 Turbo Esprit Dry sump Restoration - The Lotus Forums - Official Lotus Community Partner Jump to content


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Seat runners


davetoff

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Seats went up for leathering a few weeks back, but the runners were in a bad state. I decided to get them powder coated but needed to dismantle them in order to do so. I had to grind down the little bumps on the top hat section parts in order to remove the rollers and plastic carriers. Then I drilled out a 3.5mm hole in those parts so that i can add an m3 nut and bolt to hold the runners in place when reassembling. Unfortunately i had to grind off the pin too so that i could remove the pivot arm, this I shall replace with a nut and bolt, if there's room. It felt a bit of a shame removing the pin as it was an original neat solution. But it had to be done to get a good result, i'll try and source a company that can redo this but I'm not holding out much hope in finding one. ? Old seat runners shown below before they were sent to the Powder coaters

small_old_runners.JPG

 

Mmmmm new runners from the powder coaters........alright not new, but they look good don't they?

small_new_runners.JPG

I have also washed the plastic inserts that the bearings where in and treated myself to a full set of new bearings, which cost a pretty penny, this car is emptying my wallet very quickly )-:

Anyway now I've got to remember how these went together, although I'm going to leave it til the winter (it's an indoor's job), got plenty of other outdoor jobs to be getting on before the weather turns too cold! Onwards and upwards....

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Good work on the runners Dave  Every time i have ever removed these from esprits the welded bolts that go through the floor one always snaps off .! 

Good idea on powder coating as although hidden when fitted, old ones just refitted soon make a rust on new carpets !  

Look forward to future updates. :thumbup:  

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1 minute ago, silverfrost said:

Good work on the runners Dave  Every time i have ever removed these from esprits the welded bolts that go through the floor one always snaps off .! 

Good idea on powder coating as although hidden when fitted, old ones just refitted soon make a rust on new carpets !  

Look forward to future updates. :thumbup:  

Thanks Silverfrost, the PO must have taken these out as he replaced the original studs with bolts welded to the runners. so they weren't too rusty, thank goodness!

I was thinking that there must be a way to stop these runners rusting while in position, apart from powder coating them. Possibly putting a grommet or rubber washer between the carpet and the runner. And then also sealing up the hole in the floor too. Don't want the rust to spill on to the new carpets I'm having made, they made a right mess on the last lot!

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You could always put silicone sealant on the washer under the car, or as you have said put a rubber washer.  To be honest i think they rust more because the esprit after a few years when the door seals etc start to go, water gets in and it sits at the lowest point, given the runners sit directly on the floor all the way down to make the seats as low as possible they are just prone to rust, thats why they make such a mess of light coloured carpets with that horrible rust stain. !

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