Hello all, I bought a used 04 tl about 3 months ago. It runs great, but if I drive longer than 30 minutes it gives me back pain. I have tried everything, buying lumbar support pillows, pads, and setting the seat to the most ergonomic position, but it still gives me pain. I have attached a picture of the seat and where it hurts. It feels like I am sitting on a bar at the top of the lumbar support frame. However, I find the passenger seat to be very comfortable. Is there any way to switch the back of the seats on the driver and passenger? Or do you have any other suggestions? I might end up selling the car if I can't make it comfortable. Thanks - Mitch

 

Buy a replacement seat. I think there are a couple of part out threads in the Black Market or post a WTB thread there when you are eligible to do so. You could also try looking online for one or a local junkyard.

 

All are all of the drivers seats with the lumbar support going to be as stiffer than the passenger seat, or is my seat just worn out?

 

i have a 07 with lumbar support and its extremely comfortable. i can sit in that seat for any length of time no problem

 

Yeah the lumbar support is comfortable, but I feel the top of the frame digging into my back. Can the whole support system be taken out?

 

The seats in the 07-08 did change slightly from the 04-06 years FYI

 

Never had an issue with my 05. Would take trips up north with it regularly and sit for 5 hours no problem. Fix your posture and your back won't hurt!

 

Okay, so I saw some other posts and figured out how to pop the backs off of the seats. I attached pictures of both the passenger and the drivers seat. I can feel the bar running across the seat digging into my back and it is very uncomfortable for me. Is there any way a dealer or body shop could take out the frame and put springs in like the passenger seat? Could I buy a new passenger seat and put it where the driver seat is? Do you think it is worth doing so or should I just sell the car? Currently I avoid driving at all costs.

Thanks - Mitch

 

Can you add more padding there? Not sure why you are feeling the bar, as many others have stated the seats are extremely comfortable.

 

Passenger seat wont work on the driver side, plus airbag would be on the wrong side in the event of a crash. I would add more padding or like I mentioned before, fix your posture. I think you are the only one I have seen on the boards mentioning how uncomfortable the seats are. Not really sure if its the seat.

 

I have added more padding in the back of the seat, but it makes it bulge out more and the seat is even stiffer. I have tried sitting on lumbar support pillows. I have cut out a mattress topper and strapped it to the seat back. I have researched the correct ergonomic ways to set the seat. I glad other people find the seat comfortable... but I do not.

So my question is, do you think it is possible for someone to remove the frame.. or should I just sell the car?

 

is your lumbar support broken or something..

 

You could always use a hacksaw blade and remove the bars yourself. I don't think that would be smart as you will lose all rigidity of the seat. Maybe that's what you are looking for?

 

is this a problem just on your particular seat? have you tried sitting in other TLs to see if it's the same?

 

What position is your lumbar support in?

 

i wouldn't say the seats are extremely comfortable, but the seat should not be causing you this much of a headache. Only thing I can think of is maybe its the way your seat is set up, if your sitting too low in the seat, I can see how it would put stress on your lower back

 

time for new car LOL

 

That is strange you mention this, i let my girlfriend drive my car and she was in passenger seat for a very long time through the time we been together and when she drove she said the driver seat was not as comfortable as the passenger and sure i enough i felt the same way when i sat in passenger. In my case i believe my seat is just worn out so not as comfortable but i definitely dont feel the bar. I did order seat covers from endless rpm im waiting on, so well see if that makes it any more comfy or not. My driver seat is shot.

 

Funny...I find the passenger seat to be uncomfortable compared to the driver seat...although it is more about the angle of the lower cushion than anything.