986 Porsche Boxster seat cover removal and bolster repair

Removing leather seat cover to my 1999 986 Porsche Boxster to repair the worn driver bolster.
Correction: At minute mark 2:50, try to free the plastic retaining rod attached to seat cover without pulling on the flat plastic cover attached to the seat rails as that will likely snap/damage it.
Tools needed:
Large flathead screwdriver
Good hair dryer
Estimated Repair time:
2 hours

[@sununtaschnittker6469]

Great video! Thank you for taking the time to make it!

[@thomasroux3512]

Great man, thank you, you saved me on this one

[@jeffjeff4477]

Great Video
I'm waiting on my driver's upper leather
Will be doing this maneuver
Very helpful
Was thinking that I had to remove seat
Anyways
Thank You

[@GregKerr301]

Amy insight on replacing the center back rest piece? Think it would be easy to swap that leather?

[@gearswitch5692]

That piece is very easy to pop right out and I'm sure it would be easy enough to find a replacement on eBay or have an upholstery repair shop refinish it

[@thefreedomguyuk]

Straightforward. They are cheap as chips, as normally don't wear out.

[@johnpoo1662]

what are you feelign for when you slide your hand in the gap between seat and back cushions? looks like you already loosened it before filming.... im trying to do that on my 987 and all i feel is the horizontal metal rod .

[@gearswitch5692]

It should be a long horizontal rod that fits into a plastic channel. If you mimic the curling motion I demonstrate, you should be able to lift it up and out of the retaining channel

[@johnlennon2163]

Where did you get the new leather cover? Can you get just the damaged section?

[@gearswitch5692]

I purchased it off eBay. The seat back has two pieces- the center portion and the bolster surround

[@michaelfarrell6990]

Would you happen to know how to replace the lumbar motor/compressor? I believe it's under the left seat bolster. Thanks!

[@gearswitch5692]

Hi, I have a project in the works that I have not completed yet. Please see this video that I have uploaded at your request! It doesn't have all the details, but I hope it helps you out: ua-cam.com/video/kxot6Aq9nxY/v-deo.html

[@michaelfarrell6990]

Thank you so much!

[@bernalsilva]

how do you remove the bottom seat where you sit on.

[@gearswitch5692]

See if this video I shot helps you out: ua-cam.com/video/nspj4kh3Ix0/v-deo.html

[@goldpony10]

Can I ask where you got the replacement and how much did they cost

[@gearswitch5692]

I would shop eBay, 986forum or other Porsche forums. $60-80 for a bolster surround in good condition is a reasonable rate.

[@tomb18ca]

Do you think that 997 seats are similar? Thx

[@gearswitch5692]

Looking at OEM 997 seat covers on eBay it looks like they are constructed in a similar fashion:
www.ebay.com/itm/223539997552?epid=1474325398&hash=item340c05ab70:g:WfsAAOSwJttc9Xt5

[@thefreedomguyuk]

Very similar

[@averagegisu5877]

Do you think i could replace the leather with something non leather?

[@gearswitch5692]

You should be able too, but I would make sure it will hold up well to the wear and tear it will see on ingress/egress

[@horacebond9394]

would it have been easier to remove the seat from car and then do the repair?

[@gearswitch5692]

I don't think that would be the case. It was a very tight fit stretching new leather skin over the seat- much force was required. It helped a great deal having the seat bolted down to keep it from moving

[@davewilson7914]

Can you post a link to the ebay ad? I need to get new leather covers.

[@gearswitch5692]

I purchased the portion I needed used off a part out. They pop up every once in a while

[@gearswitch5692]

Alternatively, you could take your worn cover to a local upholstery shop and see if they can match your leather

[@paericksen]

I really wish you showed how you got the seat cover off at 3:44

[@gearswitch5692]

Once you removed the coat hanger it is as easy as pulling up on the cover and letting it turn inside out on itself

[@danrook5757]

Are t those rings hog rings