Series V Seat Diaphragm Hooks

[JSLoeffl]

Anyone know why the seat diaphragm hooks supplied by Martha Christiansen are about 3/8" longer than my originals? I believe they are the same diaphragms and hooks supplied by Rick & Curt, but I had Martha doing custom seat covers so I had her send them with.
Hook on left is original, hook on right is replacement received. The new diaphragms appear a little smaller than my originals, but I believe this is due to my originals having stretched out over the years.
I have left a message on Martha's phone to call me, but I am in the middle of working on my seats and am looking for a quick answer if anyone on this forum has seen this issue. I am probably going to clean up my old hooks and use them as I do not want to have a saggy seat bottom. The shorter hooks should stretch out the new diaphragm tighter, so less sag and more support?? Comments appreciated........
Joey

Update: I tried to use the original shorter hooks to no avail. You would need to be superman to stretch the new diaphragm far enough to get the original shorter hooks in place. I ended up using the longer hooks supplied with the new diaphragms. Too bad I can't delete this post as it is now an embarrassment! But maybe it will enlighten others...............
Joey

Update #2 7/19/2023:
Thanks Jan
Note: Martha replied and suggested I use the longer ones as diaphragms are repos and not always to specs!
But I elected to use your idea and using the extra leverage was able to install the original shorter hooks.

 

[hartmandm]

Joey,

This topic is providing valuable information. I need to re-do one of my series V seats and I bet after disassembly I would have wondered why the new hooks are longer than the original hooks.

Thanks,
Mike

 

[jumpinjan]

Don't use anything but the stock factory hooks (the shorter ones) and yes, the pull on the last hooks is fierce. I made a lever arm thing to help do the pulling.
Jan

 

[bernd_st]

The factory hooks need to pulled with big adjustable pliers into place , specifically the last ones . It's possible, but still requires strong pulls...

 

[jumpinjan]

The factory hooks need to pulled with big adjustable pliers

Highly unlikely with an arm pull because you have only a few seconds of arm strength. I made up a lever arm from steel tubing and I had over 12" of lever advantage and that could pull the hook long enough to guide it into the seat metal hole where it belongs.
Jan

 

[jumpinjan]

 

[jumpinjan]

By the way, there is ONLY one contact cement to use in these seats....and ANYWHERE else. You MUST USE the yellow contact cement made by 3M, Neoprene Contact Adhesive #10....Use anything else and it will all loosen & come back up..
Jan

 

[jumpinjan]

Another problem is with Martha's seat back patterns. At the top of the seat back, where the cording moves across the very top back, it needs to look straight across. Martha's pattern allows it to swing out of straight line (pulled to far to the rear), at the top rear edge. I unstitched the top seam and remove more than 1/2" material and resewn it. As you can see it's straight...and that's the way it was from the factory.
Jan

 

[bernd_st]

Highly unlikely with an arm pull because you have only a few seconds of arm strength.

Did a few pairs of seat diaphragm renewals already using the pliers method...

 

[alpine_64]

Another problem is with Martha's seat back patterns. At the top of the seat back, where the cording moves across the very top back, it needs to look straight across. Martha's pattern allows it to swing out of straight line (pulled to far to the rear), at the top rear edge. I unstitched the top seam and remove more than 1/2" material and resewn it. As you can see it's straight...and that's the way it was from the factory.
JanView attachment 29362

Them be nice MKII seats Jan.....

 

[Mike O'D]

Weldwood landau top and trim adhesive works great as well.

 

[Green67Alpine]

View attachment 29361

This looks like a great wat to accomplish this job, Any chance for further information or another photo of the tool ? I don't quite understand how you're attaching to the diaphragm. Thanks for the idea.
Tom j