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MG MGA - seat installation

Do the seat rail/slide assemblies sit on top of the carpeting?
Thanks!
George
G Goeppner

yes
dominic clancy

Oh.
Art Pearse

Well, I think they did originally, but I don't recommend it. Carpet underneath may allow the seat track bolts to work loose. Carpet padding under the carpet might lead to bending of the slide rails when properly tightened, in which case it won't slide.

In MGB they put a strip of wood under the slide rails to elevate it slightly to clear the carpet, and I'm pretty sure there was no carpet in between.

For my 1500 I installed 1/2" or 5/8" plywood strips on the floor, and screwed the seat rails on top of the strips. The spacer strips elevate the seat some, allowing for thicker carpet padding (thermal insulation), and the track and latch mechanism operate above the carpet without getting stuck in the carpet. I happen to be a moderately short dude, so raising the seat height was good for visibility when autocrossing in close quarters. Now I whack my head on the rag top frame during ingress and egress when the top is up. Since installing new seat cushions I am considering lowering the seat a little. Taller people may not want the seat elevated, so proceed with your personal preference.
Barney Gaylord

Mine are mounted on 1/2" wood spacers and bolted right through together.
Art Pearse

Barney, did you then cut the carpet to fit between the seat rails under the seats?
G Goeppner

It's clearly going to be harder to fit the carpet after the rails. Like Dominic I fit my carpet first, I've had no problems with screws coming loose and I seem to be moving my seats every day for one reason or another. The rails bed down into the pile and appear almost flush and very neat looking.

I believe the factory did not use underfelt under the back carpets nor did they use lift the dot fasteners so the rails keep the carpet fixed in position. If I were to do it again I'd definitely do it the same way................................Mike
m.j. moore

Amen Mike
dominic clancy

I put he wood rails in first, screwed to the wood floor. Then I cut carpet padding to fit around the wood rails, and glue it in place. Then I cut carpet to neatly fit the flat space allowed, and leave it loose. Padding is about 3/8" thick, and carpet is about 1/4" thick, so I think I used 5/8" plywood for the mounting strips (positioning the slide rails flush with top of carpet).

Front carpet (under your feet) is secured with LTD fasteners. Rear carpet (under the seat) is loose but stays put okay. Carpet is slotted to fit around the rails. Carpet lifts out easily for cleaning or drying (as it will occasionally get wet).
Barney Gaylord

This thread was discussed between 08/05/2013 and 10/05/2013

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