Fatigue cracks in front seat frames

If you're wondering why your front seats are rattling or creaking you may want to check them closely. After spending most of the afternoon trying to sew up some split seams in the rear seat backs on my 1992 216 GTi, I noticed the front seats were a bit too rattly so after removing them spotted fatigue cracks in the squab reinforcing plate that basically joins the two seat mounting plates together. At first couldn't see why both sides looked out of vertical. So after stripping down, drilled out ends of each crack (to stop it spreading) then MIG-welded it up. The gauge of metal used on early 90's Rover 200/400 front seat frames is very thin especially where the reinforcing bar is plug-welded to the sides. Something to bare in mind when owning an early 90's Rover. Later 200/400 interiors are definately better built.

Also after trying to repair seat seams on the rear seat back, the damn holes pulled though due to material going brittle and shrinking over the years. What I thought was half-leather is in fact vinyl leather-look panels. Disheartening to see hard work go to waste. Think I called the car every expletive known to mankind.

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