Justin:

Here's the drill on changing the covers, since it sounds like someone VERY heavy sat in one of the seats and either bent or broke the frame.

Remove seat. Pull side trim (this varies -- on my W108 there are chromed side covers that clip on, on the W115 there is a plastic cover that snaps into a hole -- I think the W116 is similar to the W108) and remove the seatback tilt knob. It may pull off like the W115, or you may have to carefully pry out the center cover and unbolt like the W108 -- the seam is right inside the outside diameter, the center just pops out with some help with a small screwdiver.

From there, figure out what holds the backrest to the bottom cushiom --- two bolts in the W115, four cross head screws (large) on the W108. I had to use a pair of vise grips on the screwdriver to get the screws out, they werew stuck.

Once separated, flip the bottom cushion over and compress the springs. I had to lie down on the base. Pry the edge of the lower apron up and out of the slot -- there is a strip of tack strip sewn to the cover, then folded over and slipped into the slot. A phillips screwdriver will help to get the tack strip out of the slot, the cover is usually stuck there.

Once you get the tack strip out all the way round, you will need to get a pair of needle nose pliers and unbend the wire clips that hold the listing to the bottom of the pad. You will see the wires. Once these are all out, peel the listing back and pull the psrings and pad off the cover. Be carefull not to pull too hard on the seams at the corners coming off -- if it sticks, make sure all the wires are out!

Backrest cover is a little different. Remove the screw at the base of the rear panel and the headrest -- there is a hole in the back panel (covered by the fabric or leather) that hides a spring loaded button. Pull the headreast all the way up, then push the button through the cover to release the headrest. Pull the back panel up in the center to release it from the side slots. If the cover will come free at the sides, pull the sides loose and peel them back. Usually too stuck, so just bow the back cover and pull it down and out. Once that is off, compress the backrest and unhook the sides, then the "tail" at the bottom and reach up where the rear cover went and pull the large tack strip down to release the top. Pull cover off towards the top after sliding it over the bottom edge. No wire rings on the backrest.

To install the backrest cover, just reverse the steps, except put the rear cover on before hooking the sides in, it isn't possible to slide the rear cover into place. Make sure the upper rear edge folds under and fits in the clips properly, or the rear cover won't go all the way in.

The seat bottom cover needs to be sewn down -- if you can find a curved upholstery needle it is much easier. Fit spring and pad assembly onto the cover, fold listing back into place, then sew it down with cotton crochet string. Best to run the stitches around the outer spring frame where the wires were. You only need a stitch for each wire, more or less. This keeps the cover from scrubbing on the pad.

Once sewn down, compress the springs and re-install the tack strips in the slot. Work from the center of the front back on each side, its easier.

Re-assemble seat and re-install in car.

If the base doesn't slide well, clean and lightly grease the rails, or better yet, put so graphite on rather than grease.

Easiest automotive seat covers I've ever heard of!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!