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[MontanaMan]

Hi Folks:

This is a 2010 Toyota RAV4 with Electric leather seats. I want to remove these control knobs before removing the plastic and the leather for some repairs. How do these knobs come off? I'm guessing they just pop off, but I don't want to force them and break them.

Also, do you recommend doing anything else, while I already have the leather off the seat?

Thanks!!

[BigRig]

@MontanaMan ,

Just take a flat head and wrap it in towel and do just that POP them off. You will see little teeeth under each one of them holding the knobs on not large plastic ones os be gentle. I guess my question first of all is: What are you doing with the seat? Where in Montana are you?

[MontanaMan]

Thanks for responding.

I'm in western Montana, in the mountains 35 miles outside of Missoula.

A seam in the leather seat has broken stitching, so I'm taking the leather off to re-sew it, clean it up and reinstall. The leather itself is in really good shape, so I'm sure it will hold the new stitching. For some reason, it was only the thread that failed. Do you think my old 1950's Singer home sewing machine will handle #92 nylon thread? If not, I'll use #69 nylon thread in gray color. I guess a #16 or #18 needle? The padding seems to be in good shape.

I've made a lot of outdoor equipment like tents, packs and sleeping bags, but I'm not an upholstery guy, so there might be something I'm missing ... maybe I should look for something else in the car seat?

Thanks!!

[BigRig]

@MontanaMan ,

Its the thread that generally fails in the sun. Its just a seam repair so really just use what your machine can handle for the 3" of length. Dont worrry about the #92 Tx 69 is pretty common these days anyways. If you have that cover off just look for cracks and splits in the foam cushion and spray adhesive into them and seal them up. Otherwise you should be good to go.

[MontanaMan]

Thanks for the extra info. What kind of spray adhesive do you use? I've got a can of Barge Cement ... rubber cement. It's not spray, but would that work?

Also, I'm thinking of getting some leather dye to make it look newer and fresher. Would you recommend that? Here's a pic of the whole seat:



Would cleaning and dye help that? I'm thinking of dyeing both driver and passenger seats to make them the same.

Anything else I can do to make this seat look newer and fresher? I'm thinking of adding a 3/4" layer of dense foam under the cushion? Seems like it's starting to sag.

Again ... thanks for your advice.

[BigRig]

@MontanaMan ,

Most import is that glue will bond foam to foam. Try to stick two pieces of foam together and see how it holds. I would really just sew that up and if anything just add 1/4" foam right onto the cushion. I think 3/4" foam under that cover is just looking for trouble. Thats a pretty precise fit especially how they attach the Toyota seats to the frame under you are best to keep it as original as you can. Clean for sure but maybe be on the safe side withj that leather and dont get it too wet.

[BigRig]

@MontanaMan , any problems you can pm me for a gettogether. I am running through Ohio west right now.