Wedge Engineering sucks and doesn't do custom work like they say they do
Back in January, I received my Recaro Sport seats with Recaro sliders and Wedge Engineering brackets from my Recaro dealer. My first impression of the Wedge brackets was that they were kindof crude. But they do fit the mounting holes in the car, and the mounting holes for the Recaro seat lined up perfectly.
First problem: The Recaro Sport seats have a bulge in the buttom (where your butt goes) that descends below the level of the mounting plane. The Wedge brackets have crossmembers at the mounting plane, so while the brackets will bolt to the seats/sliders, you can't slide the seats bacause the "bulge" will hit the crossmembers. Wedge was informed of the seat model that the brackets were being ordered for. I had to install some half-inch spacers temporarily to install them.
Second problem: The Wedge brackets have the seatbelt anchor welded to them. This seatbelt anchor sits freakishly high (3 inches higher than stock) and too far forward when the seat is moved to an average fore-and-aft position. The seatbelt didn't even touch that side of my body at all when I put it on.
Third problem: The seatbelt anchors have pins and a mounting bolt that face toward the seat, and they are positioned as to touch the seat. If not for some very careful fitting and measuring, I could have easily slid my seat and cut my brand new leather on these.
So, I contacted Wedge Engineering (in California) and asked to have a second set customized to fix these problems. I wanted some 1-inch spacers added to raise the seat mounting plane above the crossmembers (solving problem #1), and I wanted the seatbelt anchor shortenned and flipped around (solving problems #2 and #3). I supplied drawings and measurements via fax (upon their request). Note that I was willing to pay for these customizations, and their website says they'll custom make any bracket you need.
After 2 days of not getting a call back about my fax, I called them again. They guy I talked to (I think his name was Wendell) said that his "guy won't touch it". WTF? I asked if the drawings were insufficient, or if there was some kind of engineering problem with my requests. The only answer I kept getting was "he won't touch it". Since when does the guy who does the work get to decide what he's gonna do and what he's not gonna do? Where's the boss upholding the mantra "we'll custom make any bracket"?
I ended up taking the brackets to Absolute Bodyworks (see my recommendation here) to have the cutting and welding done, and I'm very pleased with the result.
But the bottom line is that Wedge Engineering's Supra/Recaro brackets won't work without modification, end up sitting lower than stock by about 1.25 inches, and they will not, in fact, do custom work. I do not recommend them.
I have read in SF that Bride MO brackets are a one piece solution that many are happy with, and that they work with Recaro seats.
Link to my Recaro Sport seat install thread: http://supraforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=528347
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by KenHenderson
