I have yet to remove my seat covers to look for myself-but wondering:

1.Anybody know if the stitching along the seam (where the side airbag deploys) of the OEM seat covers differs from the rest of the stitching. I imagine it must be different so that when the airbag deploys- the seam rips easily.

2.Has anybody repaired the seat cover after an airbag deployment? I know. I know. Safety first- I'm not trying to repair or remove them, I just want to understand the intricacies and nature of the way the seats rip.

3.Anybody with after market covers made specifically for the side airbag seats: If you look on the inside seams- do you see a different stitch/panel/ method of seaming where the airbag would deploy?

All this because I am making my own custom covers.

 

Having installed "OEM" leather kits on more than a few makes and models, including JK, the seat stitching is exactly the same. The airbag has plenty of force to rip the seam when deploying. The real difference is inside the seat cover there is a Kevlar guide "pouch" sewn into the seat cover that helps to direct the explosion toward the seam and helps to deploy the airbag in the general direction of the door area.

Sent from the fast lane while driving one handed.

 

Thank you Collyn. Is the Kevlar pouch sewn only on the side panel of the seat? Or does it just house the airbag? Also, what do the after market covers use to comply?

 

That airbag will rip through anything

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