Lumbar support for the Driver's Seat...

spdrcr5 · May 15, 2005

As many of you on here have complained about the lack of lumbar support for the driver's seat I have finally decided to do something about it. I searched for an inflatable cushion with a small hand pump and finally found one.

As you can see the color is actually pretty decent, I got what they call their Gray. It doesn't look too bad against the dark seats in my SOP. It comes with a strap to be used around the seat or it can be placed inside the seat itself. Well because I have front-side airbags I chose to mount it internally.

I have been using the pillow for a few weeks to try and determine where I wanted to place it before actually doing it. Well yesterday I had the time and went to town taking the seat apart. Here are the pictures of that... enjoy.

First thing I did was remove the drivers arm rest, simple enough so I didn't snap any pics. Plenty on here already. Then I went behind the seat along the base of the cushion on the right side and dug out the zipper. Unzipped that fully. Next you have to undo the plastic that locks the material together and pull it apart. Pretty easy to undo it.

Next you have to peel back carefully the side of the seat like so...

When you get it to where the side bolster ties into the back lift and you will see some springs like this...

This is where you will be tucking the pillow into. I detached the spring you see and stuffed the pillow in carefully. Flattened it out then checked it for being centered and straight. Next step is to run the hose and squeaze pump through the seat.

I lifted the side bolster up...

Which revealed this square opening in the frame...

A perfect place to run the hose. So I checked where the cushion was on the opposite side and pushed my finger through the cushion to create a small hole for the hose to go through. Notice the pump is removed, it just pulls off.

Continued next post...

spdrcr5 · May 15, 2005

Continued here...

I ran the hose through the cushion and out the other side...

And fed it through the square hole in the frame...

Pulled the material of the seat back into place and checked the alignment and sat in the seat... You can see the material bulging out a little. I'm not worried about "ruining" the material and stretching it... My comfort and back are more important.

I bought mine from Comfort Channel the least expensive place I could find this particular pillow. I paid $27.95 and the shipping was free. I have seen this exact pillow selling for $50 plus shipping! lol

After driving with it yesterday I need to lower the pillow an inch or two to get it a little lower on my back. I'll do that this afternoon. Drive tomorrow and see how it is.

Hope this helps someone.

Type X · May 15, 2005

hey larry can i squeeze it?

ramblerdan · May 15, 2005

Cool beans. Fortunate that the zipper is on the inboard side, so you don't have to mess around near the side air bag assembly. My only concerns are, how long will it the bladder hold air before it has to be refreshed, and how long will it last? Time will tell; please give us an update down the road.

spdrcr5 · May 15, 2005

ramblerdan said:
Cool beans. Fortunate that the zipper is on the inboard side, so you don't have to mess around near the side air bag assembly. My only concerns are, how long will it the bladder hold air before it has to be refreshed, and how long will it last? Time will tell; please give us an update down the road.

Actually both front seats have zippers down both sides. As for how long the air will last it doesn't matter since the handpump is outside and is kept at my side so I can add/remove air whenever I want. It has a bleeder screw which I failed to mention but can be in the first picture right next to the football shaped pump.

gfxguy · May 15, 2005

Now this is one of the most useful mods I've seen in a LONG time, thanks!

spdrcr5 · May 16, 2005

gfxguy said:
Now this is one of the most useful mods I've seen in a LONG time, thanks!

Thanks.

MontclairBobbyB · May 16, 2005

Larry:

You're a mind-reader! Great mod, I've been waiting for this. I just ordered my air cushion and I can't wait to install it... Thanks!

Now... if we can only make the seat portion of the seat a bit more supportive... (next mod...)

Peace,
MontclairBobbyB

spdrcr5 · May 16, 2005

Bobby believe it or not this has transformed how well the seat is now holding me in place. No, I can't go through a turn too fast without still needing some side support... but this has been helping me stay in place because I am now sitting up so much straighter. I wish I had done this 17 months ago! lol

I readjusted the cushion lower in the seat and it seems more comfortable. I won't be able to test it on my commute tomorrow since I loaned my E to my bro-in-law... I will know beginning Tuesday.

Let me know once you get it and post your results.

MDAPEL · Dec 23, 2005

Thanks Larry, this is one GREAT mod. The only change I made was that I mounted the cushion between the seat back and the springs so I didn't have to 'peel' back the entire seat cover. I also added a piece of corragated cardboard between the springs and the cushion. This allows me to adjust the cushion if I want in a couple minutes. I only wish the cushion was 14-15 inches wide rather then 11'.

spdrcr5 · Dec 28, 2005

MDAPEL said:
Thanks Larry, this is one GREAT mod. The only change I made was that I mounted the cushion between the seat back and the springs so I didn't have to 'peel' back the entire seat cover. I also added a piece of corragated cardboard between the springs and the cushion. This allows me to adjust the cushion if I want in a couple minutes. I only wish the cushion was 14-15 inches wide rather then 11'.

You got the same pillow I did? I was thinking about moving it to between the springs and the cushion after someone else did the electric pump lumbar setup. If this gives the same results then I will be moving mine too.

Thanks.

MDAPEL · Jan 6, 2006

Yes. I ordered the same cushion you did. I like a lot of lumbar support and when I inflate it it is kind of like laying against a beach ball where you rock from side to side. Other then that, great mod. I amlokking for a larger cushion now. The NICE thing about putting the cushiin between the springs is that it is really easy to move it around if you have to. Now if I could just figure out how to get the steering wheel to telescope about for inches

SoCalGG · Nov 30, 2008

A no cost opportunity for the first to respond.

Hi all,

Several months ago, I tried adding an inflatable lumbar support to my '07. I fussed with it and ultimately removed it. It's been sitting in my garage gathering dust for a few months. If you've been wanting to try this in your Element, now could be your chance.

I'll send it free of charge to the first person to send me a PM requesting it.

I tried inflating it today and it seemed OK. Since it will be free, I make no warranty. I will pay the postage too.

It's my hope that this goes to someone that will have better luck with it than myself.

Attached pic was taken today.

SoCalGG

NismoGriff · Nov 30, 2008

SoCalGG said:
Hi all,

Several months ago, I tried adding an inflatable lumbar support to my '07. I fussed with it and ultimately removed it. It's been sitting in my garage gathering dust for a few months. If you've been wanting to try this in your Element, now could be your chance.

I'll send it free of charge to the first person to send me a PM requesting it.

I tried inflating it today and it seemed OK. Since it will be free, I make no warranty. I will pay the postage too.

It's my hope that this goes to someone that will have better luck with it than myself.

Attached pic was taken today.

SoCalGG

PM'd

Question is, was I fast enough??

SoCalGG · Nov 30, 2008

It's been Claimed

I've received a PM requesting this item. Thanks for looking.

jsbagman · Jan 23, 2009

Back Issues

Try www.obusforme.com for backache issues.

Lumbar support for the Driver's Seat...

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