992 LWB's Cushion Insert Install

[Hawk]

I've been told, and confirmed with my dealer's Service Manager, that on the 992, Porsche changed the airbag sensor on the passenger seat. It is now comprised of wire elements running through, and part of, the actual foam itself. To make matters worse it cannot be disconnected from the seat frame. They did not install a disconnect. To install a new aftermarket cushion insert you first have to peel the existing oem cover off the foam without removing the foam from the seat frame. Then you have to fit the new cover on the existing oem foam while it is still tethered to the frame. Certainly more difficult than simply replacing the entire cushion as on the 991.

I have passed this info on to Ed (Crazy Eddie) who was unaware of the change. Does anyone have firsthand experience changing the seat cushion insert on a 992? How difficult was it? Thanks, Dick

[Tom]

I've been told, and confirmed with my dealer's Service Manager, that on the 992, Porsche changed the airbag sensor on the passenger seat. It is now comprised of wire elements running through, and part of, the actual foam itself. To make matters worse it cannot be disconnected from the seat frame. They did not install a disconnect. To install a new aftermarket cushion insert you first have to peel the existing oem cover off the foam without removing the foam from the seat frame. Then you have to fit the new cover on the existing oem foam while it is still tethered to the frame. Certainly more difficult than simply replacing the entire cushion as on the 991.

I have passed this info on to Ed (Crazy Eddie) who was unaware of the change. Does anyone have firsthand experience changing the seat cushion insert on a 992? How difficult was it? Thanks, Dick

Ed mentioned this to me. From a manufacturing perspective, I can't quite envision how/why they could build the wire into the foam and then run the wire into the seat without any way to separate it? On my 992 18-ways, I just got a recall notice for the passenger side airbag seat sensor. The letter made it sound like there was a discrete sensor that they would replace. Makes you wonder what Porsche would do if the sensor went bad on the LWBS? Replace a $5k seat? I'd have to imagine that cutting the wire and adding a connector would be quick and easy, but that shops and cushion sellers will be loath to take on any risk of messing with the airbag system.

[Hawk]

I've been told, and confirmed with my dealer's Service Manager, that on the 992, Porsche changed the airbag sensor on the passenger seat. It is now comprised of wire elements running through, and part of, the actual foam itself. To make matters worse it cannot be disconnected from the seat frame. They did not install a disconnect. To install a new aftermarket cushion insert you first have to peel the existing oem cover off the foam without removing the foam from the seat frame. Then you have to fit the new cover on the existing oem foam while it is still tethered to the frame. Certainly more difficult than simply replacing the entire cushion as on the 991.

I have passed this info on to Ed (Crazy Eddie) who was unaware of the change. Does anyone have firsthand experience changing the seat cushion insert on a 992? How difficult was it? Thanks, Dick

Ed mentioned this to me. From a manufacturing perspective, I can't quite envision how/why they could build the wire into the foam and then run the wire into the seat without any way to separate it? On my 992 18-ways, I just got a recall notice for the passenger side airbag seat sensor. The letter made it sound like there was a discrete sensor that they would replace. Makes you wonder what Porsche would do if the sensor went bad on the LWBS? Replace a $5k seat? I'd have to imagine that cutting the wire and adding a connector would be quick and easy, but that shops and cushion sellers will be loath to take on any risk of messing with the airbag system.

It sounds nuts to me and makes no sense. Would love to hear from someone who has actually installed an aftermarket insert. My Service Manager, who confirmed, said he was aware of the change and would now check into it more thoroughly given my interest in replacing the inserts.

[Tom]

Ed will be all over it.

[Hawk]

Ed will be all over it.

Communicated with Ed yesterday when he shipped out my pair of Seatbelt Retaining Rings. He has been super busy. Will let us know what he finds when he can get to it.

[Mikster]

What’s a seat cushion insert? Why is that a thing that needs replacing?

M

[Hawk]

What’s a seat cushion insert? Why is that a thing that needs replacing?

M

A design preference. Several different fabric types and many patterns and colors to choose from.

Driver-1.jpeg (1.03 MiB) Viewed 3046 times

[Hawk]

I've been told, and confirmed with my dealer's Service Manager, that on the 992, Porsche changed the airbag sensor on the passenger seat. It is now comprised of wire elements running through, and part of, the actual foam itself. To make matters worse it cannot be disconnected from the seat frame. They did not install a disconnect. To install a new aftermarket cushion insert you first have to peel the existing oem cover off the foam without removing the foam from the seat frame. Then you have to fit the new cover on the existing oem foam while it is still tethered to the frame. Certainly more difficult than simply replacing the entire cushion as on the 991.

I have passed this info on to Ed (Crazy Eddie) who was unaware of the change. Does anyone have firsthand experience changing the seat cushion insert on a 992? How difficult was it? Thanks, Dick

UPDATE: Ed was able to confirm this info with the owner of a 992 that did a seat cushion cover conversion. Porsche has made this a much more difficult process for those who want to change out the seat inserts on our 992"s.

[Tom]

I've been told, and confirmed with my dealer's Service Manager, that on the 992, Porsche changed the airbag sensor on the passenger seat. It is now comprised of wire elements running through, and part of, the actual foam itself. To make matters worse it cannot be disconnected from the seat frame. They did not install a disconnect. To install a new aftermarket cushion insert you first have to peel the existing oem cover off the foam without removing the foam from the seat frame. Then you have to fit the new cover on the existing oem foam while it is still tethered to the frame. Certainly more difficult than simply replacing the entire cushion as on the 991.

I have passed this info on to Ed (Crazy Eddie) who was unaware of the change. Does anyone have firsthand experience changing the seat cushion insert on a 992? How difficult was it? Thanks, Dick

UPDATE: Ed was able to confirm this info with the owner of a 992 that did a seat cushion cover conversion. Porsche has made this a much more difficult process for those who want to change out the seat inserts on our 992"s.

If it weren't such a litigation-friendly thing, seems like clipping the wire and installing a connector would at least let you recover the cushion without it being tethered to the car/seat. Over time, maybe someone will tear one apart and find a better way to deal with it -- there's 'got' to be a connector or something somewhere.... Ed's back can't handle too many cover installations if they have to be done in situ!! Sounds like he needs a new how-to video. Removing the seat might make it easier? Or maybe that's even more work?

@Crazy Eddie

[Crazy Eddie]

I've been told, and confirmed with my dealer's Service Manager, that on the 992, Porsche changed the airbag sensor on the passenger seat. It is now comprised of wire elements running through, and part of, the actual foam itself. To make matters worse it cannot be disconnected from the seat frame. They did not install a disconnect. To install a new aftermarket cushion insert you first have to peel the existing oem cover off the foam without removing the foam from the seat frame. Then you have to fit the new cover on the existing oem foam while it is still tethered to the frame. Certainly more difficult than simply replacing the entire cushion as on the 991.

I have passed this info on to Ed (Crazy Eddie) who was unaware of the change. Does anyone have firsthand experience changing the seat cushion insert on a 992? How difficult was it? Thanks, Dick

UPDATE: Ed was able to confirm this info with the owner of a 992 that did a seat cushion cover conversion. Porsche has made this a much more difficult process for those who want to change out the seat inserts on our 992"s.

If it weren't such a litigation-friendly thing, seems like clipping the wire and installing a connector would at least let you recover the cushion without it being tethered to the car/seat. Over time, maybe someone will tear one apart and find a better way to deal with it -- there's 'got' to be a connector or something somewhere.... Ed's back can't handle too many cover installations if they have to be done in situ!! Sounds like he needs a new how-to video. Removing the seat might make it easier? Or maybe that's even more work?

@Crazy Eddie

Ditto on Ed’s back ( and knees )