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FILO's sinking seat remedy with pics
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filo
 


Member Since: 09 Jul 2010
Location: here, down in the north, where the fog is
Posts: 616

Italy 2007 Discovery 3 TDV6 XS Auto Zermatt SilverDiscovery 3
FILO's sinking seat remedy with pics

This issue has been a real pain in my Censored ss for months so I decided to get rid of it.
After the ritual disclaimer (just in case you break something) here’s the “how to”.

Tools needed (I’m afraid for you guys on the other side of the pond, that’s only metric stuff Razz ):
- a drill with a 4,5 or 5mm drill bit (check it before using)
- 10 M5x12 bolts with kep nuts
- 20 cm 5mm O-ring rope (5mm cross section diameter)
- Cutter
- torx allen spanner
- socket wrench with appropriate sockets
- various fixed wrenches

The job is no suitable for sensitive people as it is necessary to drill the seat base to remove the old aluminum rivets which hold the mechanism in place and the brass ones keeping the mechanism closed.
Be prepared, there’s plenty of torx bolts. I hate torx.
Watch your hands and particularly your fingers because there’s plenty of sharp edges.

First of all remove the seat cushion undoing the 4 torx bolts holding it at the seat base.
You’ll reach two of these bolts from the rear seats and two from the front of the driver seat.
After that I trashed the 4 torx (that are a real pain to undo) and replaced them with 4 M8 bolts with hex head
Click image to enlarge


Pull and remove the wheel of the recline mechanism (don’t know how to say)
Click image to enlarge


Remove the plastic handle of the hight adjusting mechanism by undoing the torx bolt shown in the picture.
Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge


Remove the plastic carter that covers the seat side by undoing both self tapping torx.
You’ll reach one of these bolts from the rear seats and one from the front of the driver seat.
Click image to enlarge


Now you should be able to see the hight adjusting mechanism.
Click image to enlarge


Drill the aluminum rivets and remove the hight adjusting mechanism.
Remove the metallic lever undoing both burnished torx bolts. Make a note of the spring position. The reinstall is intuitive.
Click image to enlarge


Drill the 3 brass rivets to be able to open the mechanism.
Pay attention not to exceed in pressing otherwise you’ll make them turn until they melt the plastic by friction.
Gently open the mechanism paying attention at falling objects and small parts. This shouldn’t occur but open it on the table.
As you can see from the picture the mechanism is made of a central “star” located in a circular housing with 3 needles on each tip (it’s quite similar to a needle bearing).
The two external are metal needles while the central one is a piece of transparent elastomer which should keep the two metallic apart from each other and wedged between the tip of the star and his housing so to prevent it from turnig.
This central needle (or roll) has a cross section of 4mm.
Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge


The goal is to replace the central elastomeric needle with a greater one.
I bought two different O-ring ropes (in section). The first is 4,5mm and the second one 5mm. I solved the issue with the 5mm one so i didn’t test the 4,5mm one.
Click image to enlarge


Replace each central elastomeric needle with a new one obtained by cutting the 5mm O-Ring rope.
Reassemble all going backwards.
When closing the mechanism keep in mind that the bolts heads must be located in the plastic recesses.
Don’t tight the bolts too much or you’ll break the plastic housing.
Click image to enlarge


Before reinstalling the cushion add a few washers to the 2 spring assemblies as stated here.
http://www.disco3.co.uk/forum/topic32140.html

At the end perform the load test.
Click image to enlarge


I left the “doubles” all night long, but if you prefer you could sleep in the car Rolling with laughter

enjoy

ciao
Filippo
 

Last edited by filo on 5th Oct 2010 9:14 am. Edited 1 time in total 
Post #6997574th Oct 2010 3:48 pm
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Peternc
 


Member Since: 08 Mar 2010
Location: Sussex
Posts: 41

United Kingdom 2007 Discovery 3 TDV6 XS Auto Zermatt SilverDiscovery 3

I'm very glad that the dealer replaced my seat mechanism without question!
  
Post #6997644th Oct 2010 4:24 pm
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zebadee
 


Member Since: 15 Feb 2006
Location: The Magic Roundabout
Posts: 1392

Ireland 

A truly excellent write up filo Thumbs Up

Thank you for taking the time to document & post all the steps involved.

I've saved it as a PDF for future reference.
  
Post #6997954th Oct 2010 6:21 pm
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Wickham
 


Member Since: 12 Sep 2010
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1

United States 2006 LR3 5.0 V8 SE Auto Tonga GreenLR3
Outstanding job

Great instructions Sir- thank you.
  
Post #70209411th Oct 2010 1:43 am
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tanters
 


Member Since: 24 Oct 2007
Location: Oireland
Posts: 4284

Ireland 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 Base 5 Seat Manual Tonga GreenDiscovery 3

You've the patients of a Saint Filo Wink Thanks very much Thumbs Up
 A happy childhood ... is the worst possible preparation for life.  
Post #70218411th Oct 2010 9:52 am
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Donald_FR
 


Member Since: 03 Dec 2017
Location: Chalo St Mars
Posts: 11

France 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto Galway GreenDiscovery 3

Managed to do the Filo repair with seat base in situ... couldn't get those Censored hex bolts to move for the seat base, so moved the seat itself about 30°, and drilled away to get the rivets off. Very fiddly getting all the bolts back in but otherwise went well, and I've got huge hands, so it can be done.
Many thanks to Filo - with 5mm section o ring elements in place of the old (silicone?) smaller diameter segments, the seat height is now stable... Am now looking after all my scratches and scars on my fingers...
  
Post #19107314th Feb 2018 8:06 pm
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filo
 


Member Since: 09 Jul 2010
Location: here, down in the north, where the fog is
Posts: 616

Italy 2007 Discovery 3 TDV6 XS Auto Zermatt SilverDiscovery 3

Hey Donald
Glad you got it done
Remember also to find a way to lock the up and down lever otherwise you'll lower the seat with your Censored each time you get off the car.
F.
  
Post #19107384th Feb 2018 8:18 pm
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Donald_FR
 


Member Since: 03 Dec 2017
Location: Chalo St Mars
Posts: 11

France 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto Galway GreenDiscovery 3

Hey Filo thanks for the reply on a very quiet thread - I suppose everybody else has done the mod already Smile
I'll keep an eye out for my big ass hitting the seat height lever... and may end up putting in a blocking bit of black painted wood or similar, but for the moment it's all good!
Now for the integrated GPS and rear view camera mod (all bits on the way) - my 2005 SE needs a bit more sprucing...
  
Post #19107554th Feb 2018 8:52 pm
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olivierzozo
 


Member Since: 25 Feb 2012
Location: 13
Posts: 20

France 2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 Base 5 Seat Auto Tonga GreenDiscovery 3

Great write up as usual Filo, thank you Sir! I have been using your AutoBox method with great success and will now try to find the courage to work on my sagging seat.
Cheers,
Oli
  
Post #19985437th Nov 2018 12:39 pm
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