Went to fit new rubber diaphragms to the seat bases of my 1970 Mini K as the seats have sagged.

Found the seats were not fitted with the rubber diaphragms, but a series of wires running from side to side, tensioned with springs down either side. Was this original or someone’s way of replacing the perished rubber diaphragms?

I was going to remove this and fit the rubber diaphragms, but then I found there were no holes across the front of the seat for the wire clips used to tension the rubber diaphragms.

So, were all seats fitted with the rubber diaphragms ( as I have seen on Cooper S’s and Leyland Tombstone seats, or was there a period in 1970 when they used the wire’s from side to side and the springs?

There was a short period when the rubber was not used, From memory around the time they fitted the catch on the bottom of seat to stop it coming forward

Thanks John.

This is a 1970, pre burst proof handles, and no latch on the seat to stop it tipping forward when you hit the brakes.

The type of seat You described was definatly used, But I am a little unsure when, I shall have to look this up and see what I can find out, this type from memory caused a few warranty problems especialy with the police cars that where driven constantly

I was under the impression that those seats where fitted to the very late K's and S's with the burst proof doors.
I know my 71 S has them but it also has the catch to stop them tilting forward under brakes.
Is it a really late 1970 car?
Are your seats the originals from your car?
Could the catches have been removed at some stage?
Maybe they made some seats with that type of webbing without the catches!
Interesting!
Dave

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I have a pair here in totally original lovely condition & have the wire & no rubber diaph & i do remember there were lots like that back in the day,,, just can`t remember exactly when

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No offence intended here but--> anyone writing a book about minis 30 years ago may not have experienced such worn or stuffed-with components as we are finding these days.

You should put your heart & soul into everything you do.