FTO AUSTRALIA

Hi I just bought a 95 Black GPX FTO and I have a lower back injury, the car is causeing the problem to flare up . Has anyone else experienced similar problems and I f so do you have any suggestions to fix the problem? I really like the car and don't want to have to sell it.
Thanks.

I've got a back problem as well, but since i dont' have the standard seats, i've got no problem with them, but i would suggest to get a small pillow to support your back.

You can get them with Recaro or Sparco printed on them, so they wouldn't look "girly", & they are a bit bigger then the neck cusion.

depends on your back problem.

Sitting causes mroe compression on your discs then standing, so any car will aggravate your problem. Try adjusting the angles of the seat to what feels the most comfortable. and also avoid sitting in the car for lengthy periods of times. e.g. get out and stretch every 40-60mins...

Because the FTO isnt the smoothest ride, you might find the bumps etc agg. the problem as well.

WIthout knowing what your back problem is, I would attack the rehab and issues surround your back first, find someone good who can treat it and get onto the proper course of ex. rehab. and then if you still have problems you may need a more comfy ride.

some people find the lumbar supports can help as well. however they take some getting used to.

Where abouts are you? What are the roads like?

I wouldn't imagine that an FTO is the overall best car to back a back problem with. Having said that though, the seats are more supportive than most OEM car seats, unless yours are badly worn out.

Could replace them for something else - don't have to spend big $$ these days for new seats.

If the suspension has been changed - lowered etc - you could, and I never thought I would say this - go back to stock suspension.

Other than that, go to your GP, get a referral to a physio who can try and fix the problem or at least recommend something like a back brace/support to wear that should reduce the symptoms. Either that or take Panadene Forte and Nurofen in tandem every day! Perfectly OK for your system and will stop/dull just about any pain.

Jas wrote:Hi I just bought a 95 Black GPX FTO and I have a lower back injury, the car is causeing the problem to flare up . Has anyone else experienced similar problems and I f so do you have any suggestions to fix the problem? I really like the car and don't want to have to sell it.
Thanks.

Yes, I've got a lower back problem too. The FTO seats didn't do me any favours.

For years, I used one of the special foam lower back cushion things (available from pharmacies for about $25). But when I got some worn fabric repaired on the drivers seat, I got a permanent solution.

I got the upholstery shop to build up some extra foam in the exact spot where I needed lumbar support. It now has a good, gentle curve that keeps the inward back posture perfect. I can now strap myself into the FTO in the 4-point harness and do 45 minutes track work without getting a sore back. It cost $200 to do this, including the fix to two different areas of collapsed foam/worn fabric. Worth every penny!

- Rich

PS. Jeez, I sound like an old fart.

You can also try one of those new "Snuggle" pillows they're raving about. It's full of beads which can conform to the shape you want. They're so popular that maybe one of your friends has one.

rxboy wrote:You can also try one of those new "Snuggle" pillows they're raving about. It's full of beads which can conform to the shape you want. They're so popular that maybe one of your friends has one.

ehehehe yeah my parents use those, & they in there 60's & 70's

Hell while you're at it just replace the whole seat with a bean bag!!

FTO seats have no lumber support. after an hour driving for me, i feel like someone has kicked me in the lower back !

I have a bulging disk L5S1 cause buy playing high level rugby league etc .

Ive had Quaterzone injections in the spine plus thousands of dollars on rehab .

I had managed to sub due the problem but cause the seats are so low to the ground and my legs go straight to the pedals not down to them like in normal sedan type cars, it causes the mussles around the pelvic area e.g hip flexors etc to tighted right up!!!! but Ill give some of those idea's ago before I sell it

youve probably heard it all before, but there is a lot you can do for bulging discs.. (i know cos ive had one, and work with many clients who have them)

You proabably know about the pelvic floor and TA abdominal work you need to do, as well as increasing flexibility in not only your hipflexors but your hamstrings, gluteals, thoracic spine etc..

sacrum, lumbar bulges can be worse, but make sure your physio is checking for sacro illiac alignment as well.

its all about inner abs and stretching with backs -good luck!

Yeah, my old man has a blown up disc or two, as does my brother. I'm the only male in the family with the jello bit still in the middle of all my discs! Although it tries to escape into the nerves in my spine occasionally, hehe.

Getting old sucks!

- Rich