Lotus Elan and Lotus Elan Plus 2 Forums

Hi All,
Attached are 2 photos.
The lower one shows the perished diaphragm under the seat with dimensions 44 x 43 and it has 11 fixing hooks. The upper photo shows the +2S diaphragm that I have just received from Sue Miller. Same length as the original but 10cm narrower and with only 10 fixing hooks.
I was hoping for a direct replacement, but fitting the Sue Miller item would, at the very least, require a fresh set of holes in the frame and that feels like major work !
Right now i have some plywood strips between the frame and diaphragm as suggested elsewhere in the forum.

Does anyone have experience of fitting these Sue Miller items ? , or can anyone suggest an alternative source or origin please.

Thanks,

Dick

Rimmer Bros sell them for Triumphs, maybe they are a better size
Alan

Dick,
I had the same problem with the Plus 2 that i had. I went to an upholster and he suggested (and did) thick type piano wire cross supports with webbing cross interlocked and strung between the two wires/ rods. The rods were held with springs. I no longer have the car but my friend Geoff ( hello Geoff ) looks on here an may take a photo perhaps. Have you looked under there yet Geoff? Top job, i got him the piano wire
Cheers Mike

...good job I keep lots of photos Mike!

I have the same problem/dilemma on my '71 +2S130 and have parked the problem until until can sort somehow! So will also be interested to hear/see what you do to sort the problem.
As you have found out the diaphragm that Sue and also SJS sell are not suitable at all. You will find that the centre section also needson my car to have raised lugs for the centre part of the seat base cushion wire clips and the flat diaphragm that you have just won't work even if you drill alternative holes.!

I also have the same issue, so interested to know what you do or other have done.

Addressing the failed diaphragm and new foam is on my list for this summer as it can be done inside the house.

Thanks Jon. You are the man

I had the same issue, I purchased the diaphragms from Newton Trimmers I think. They are sold for the plus 2 and can be made to fit.

New holes do need to be drilled in the frame and a method of attaching the seat trim. Unfortunately I did not take alot of photographs but I have attached a couple to illuistrate how I did it.

You can see that I punched additional holes in the rubber base and then sandwiched it between 2 pieces of coated wire tie wrapped together - the seat cover is then attached to the wire with hog rings.


I have used the original back diaphragm but have added a picture to show the original rubber lip that the seat cover attaches to.

It is all possible but required a small amount of skill and lots of patience.

Regards
John

The Newton ones look to be MGB ones. Readily available for about ?21. - MGBeeHive.

If you just make holes in the rubber squab the holes will tear. To attach the squab you need the metal to attach moulded in the rubber bosses..Also glue some hessian to the new foam to protect it.
Alan

Hi Alan
The holes for the clips are already in place, if you have a look at the first photogtraph of the post you can see that there are raised areas where steel rods are moulded into the diaphragm which the hooks attach to. As long as the holes for the tie rods are punched(round) rather than cut with a craft knife there should not be a problem as they are in a pretty low stress area.
John

Hi John,

Could you just confirm which seats are shown in your pictures? Are seats from a +2 or +2S or later +2S130?

I suspect they are +2 or +2S, so may be a little different to the +2S130 seats.

Thanks,

Mark

For sure fit new foams or you are wasting your time.
Alan

Hi Mark

I purchased the car minus engine but the vin plate indicates that is should be a 130S and the dash seems to confirm that, 2 large and six small dials with 3 warning lights.

John

Newton trim diaphrams ship with new metal hooks which are longer than the ones you took off, which work well as the diaphram is smaller anyway

What I need is new foam !