"Ugly Bolster Mod"

I'm sure there has to be some others that have done this to their 4th gen Maximas, but tonight while messing around with my car (like normal), I was planted in the seat thinking to myself, "such a great car, but it could really use more side bolstering for my lower legs". It annoys me that my long legs tend to splay outwards and rub up against the center console simply because the lower seat bolstering is so bad. After thinking for a moment, I figured I'd remove the seat, take the lower seat panel out, remove the leather cover, and then bend the edges of the alumninum seat cradle/pan inwards to create more support. It sounded like a bunch of work, but worthy of the effort. Then I thought, "why not just try and grab each side and try and bend it inwards?" I placed both on hands on the driver's side right edge and started pulling in and down. And got back in the seat and sure enough, the bolster was higher and tighter to my right leg!!! I switched to the other side and the same thing happened. I happy to say, the seat now has about .75" more side bolstering and my legs sit more straight and don't come close to rubbing the console now. It feels so much better. It actually feels like I'm halfway sitting in something instead sitting on top of it.



Dave

 

I hate how my right leg is always against the console! I might give that a try.

 

You just grabbed the bottom edge of the seat and pulled? What about the plastic trim?

 

 

 

No just grab around the side bolster and pull. You might have to put you fingers under the plastic trim in order to get a good grab. Just squeeze the bolster and you'll feel the alumninum cradle under the foam. That's the part you're bending.


Dave

 

I could take a pic, but it would be hard to the see the difference because cameras are aweful at trying to photo depth. In person, you can tell and feel, but in a photo you won't notice much.


Dave

 

take a pic of where you are grabbing and put arrows on the pic to show what direction you are pulling...

 

So, does the upholstery look the same all around the seat after you've bent the seat pan up? No wrinkles?

Maxima seats suck. My neighbor's parents gave him their old 94 Explorer. Now dems' seats! Just like my odl SHO seats. Air powered bolsters and all.

By the way, has anyone switched seats out of another car into a Max? Do the Asian market Maxes have better seats? Japanese guys are generally smaller than US guys, yet the Maxima seats are big enough to be just right for an 800 pound gorilla.

 

Give it a week or so of you getting in and out and it's going to go right back to it's original position. Metal has memory.

 

Bending the metal "cold works" the grain. It will be stronger in its new position thatn it was in the old.

 

It actually does work...just stick your hands where he's telling you and you'll feel where he's talking about. The sides look slighty more pronounced...only a slight side effects of the the 'door' side of the seat showing a slight gap between the cushion and the plastic trim where the seat controls are but that only shows up if you have the front of your seat tilted up. It does work and my leg just barely grazes the console now instead of fully leaning against it. Bgohan, Nissan went awry with the 4th gen seats...3rd gen seats are quite superior in terms of support and overall comfort. Moderator Matt93SE stated 4th gen seats are "…even crappier than 3rd gen seats. ZERO lateral support. they're made for fat soccer moms and old people to ride around in."

 

maybe someone can help me, my drivers power seat does not move all the way up close to the steering wheel like it used to anymore. i tried looking for something stuck in the rails, nothing, what can i do?

 

Start your own thread instead of hijacking this one.

 

This is interesting. The seats in the 4th gen are def **** poor. this sounds a little sketchy but I might have to try it anyway...more lateral support would be helpful...

 

So far so good. Seeing that there is very little pressure on the bolsters, I kind of doubt they'll go back to their orginal position.

I'm already use to the bolstering now and my legs are far more comfortable. I had to raise my steering wheel a little because my legs are now bumping it sometimes because they're in a less splayed position.

*Word of warning. If you have a big butt, this mod isn't for you. It will cut down on some of the seating area. Not much, but enough to possibly bother some larger guys. I'm 6' 2", 180lb with a 32" waist and the seats fit me nicely (not snug).


Dave