[blinelaxd27]

Hey Guys,

Just got my 2013 ST and everything is great except the Recaros pinch my ass so I need to do the modification to them with modifying/removing the wings on the bottom seat cushion.

I read all the threads but still haven't been able to figure out the consensus on the best method: removing wings completely and not filling anything in, cutting the wings and leaving them in, or removing the wings and filling with some sort of seat padding.

I wanted to go with the best method so that my seats don't end up splitting on wearing out prematurely.

Thanks!

 

[Straightline]

Great question I wonder the same thing too but I bet nobody has made proper comparisons to know. Also I am pretty sure nobody is exactly sure regarding wear and tear either.

 

[BX77]

I did this mod on my 14, I just drilled out the rivets, and the whole plastic secton just came off. I filled the void where the wings went with foam, added 1" of padding on the seat part, and put everthing back together, took about a hour.

Bests thing I ever did to the car. I know from reading that the 13's where a little different, some people cut the wings and left the hooks, and some cut the hooks. Only way to tell is to remove the leather and check it out. If it's held on with three rivets just drilled them.

and the whole section will pop off. I did mine 5k ago, and all is good! From the outside looking down on the seat you can't tell, unless you know it was done, But once you sit on them the boys will be happy!

 

[lug]

Have a fat uncle sit in them for 3 hours a day until adjusted to your comfort.

 

[Shadow5501]

Which method is best depends on whether you ever want to return it to stock or not. Cutting the wings is a one way ticket, but then you retain the hooks which helps the upholstery stay put and look more stock.

I modified mine when the car was new. Now 1.5 years and 17k miles down the road you cannot tell any unusual wear or tear on the leather. i am rather impressed with how well the leather is holding up.

Definitely fill the void in the wings with something. I'm a fan of stuffing them with foam, but it probably doesn't matter. I also added one inch of upholstery foam below the leather. I find that firm seats are more comfortable on long journeys, but the stock seats were just too hard.

Finally, use a towel or drop cloth to protect the door sill, console, etc. when removing the seats from the car. The feet of the seat are sharp metal - one bad move and you have scratched the paint.

 

[blinelaxd27]

awesome advice Shadow5501 appreciate it, what is the best upholstery foam to use? seems that 1" is the way to go. is there a special kind of foam or any foam?

 

[Shadow5501]

awesome advice Shadow5501 appreciate it, what is the best upholstery foam to use? seems that 1" is the way to go. is there a special kind of foam or any foam?

Just plain old upholstery foam. I can't even remember where I got it - Walmart I think. About 5 bucks for enough to stuff the wings and add a square to the seat bottom cushion on both passenger and driver side. Have you read the How To: http://www.focusst.org/forum/focus-st-guides/28409-how-make-your-st3-seats-more-comfortable.html

 

[Peregriner]

Honestly, the best solution is to trade your seats with an ST1. You'll be more comfortable and make some money to boot.

 

[blinelaxd27]

Modifying seems like the best option... I bought an st3 for a reason, why would I want to put crappy cloth seats in? I also like the look of the recaros and how they hold my back since I will be autocrossing the car. Its just the bottom cushion that is a bit tight so the modification seems like the best option, I bought the foam on amazon so will be attempting the mod in the coming week. so is the consensus to keep the hooks in and not remove them? I read that some people say they poke through without plastic wings.

 

[Peregriner]

I am sorry I gave you my opinion, I didn't realize I would offend you with my plebian ways.

 

[blinelaxd27]

lol just realized how it came off, sorry about that. my focus has 95k on it so I am sure yours is worth more

 

[Peregriner]

lol just realized how it came off, sorry about that. my focus has 95k on it so I am sure yours is worth more

About that ... I swapped the Recaros into my car so ... lol. Actually, two different sets. It's not that I didn't like the cloth seats, but I too wanted the nice looking leather HA! I mention the swap because there are always people wanting a swap.

 

[blinelaxd27]

So do people agree to keep the hooks in or will they poke through without the wings?

 

[RoachRage]

Keep the hooks, delete the wings, don't add foam to the wings holes, and stop ruining my life. (Tip of the hat to John Boy and Billy's Big Show and Mad Max).

Seriously, the foam around the wings is firm enough without packing the holes. The hooks are not felt and are needed to hold the foam in place. The one inch padding in the middle is optional. This is my single-most favorite mod to the car. "Pinching my ass" described it perfectly and the wing removal fixed it.

 

[blinelaxd27]

haha got it, thanks, waiting for foam to get in so that I can put it in the middle and i'll play around with filling the holes. but those plastic wings got to go its killing me!

 

[technoviking]

For anyone who wants a video who is now learning about this...