124 front headrests - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sixto · #1 07-20-2007, 11:43 PM

I'm familiar with MB front headrests but apparently the rear cover of the front seat is different from the 126 and 140. I removed the two screws and pulled downwards. No movement. I pried down on the top edge of the rear cover. No movement. I noticed that the upholstery tucks into a channel the full height of the cover. Hmm... that's not going to slide off.

So I just pulled the upholstery hem out of the channel to gain access to the headrest, then used a putty knife to get the hem back in the channel. It worked, but what's the right way to do it?

BTW, this car has leather upholstery.

Sixto
87 300D

babymog · #2 07-21-2007, 10:18 AM

I did the same by compressing the seat cushion until the seat side material was slack enough to remove/install the tab. My fingertips still hurt.

Racekar · #3 07-21-2007, 05:52 PM

I need to attempt this as my drivers side headrest does not move. I hear the motor turning but it doesnot engage. Anyone have the proper method of removing the plastic cover?

Bio300TDTdriver · #4 07-21-2007, 06:35 PM

IIRC (If I recall correctly) you remove 2 screws from the bottom and then the whole piece slides down. It does not slide down very easily, remember its been on there for 20 years. My memory isn't what it used to be though. I will run out and look and edit this post if need be.
Well my memory is better than I thought. I have an '87 so your '95 may be different. There is a clip that you need to unsnap in order to remove the headrest. I broke it the first time by pulling it out without unsnapping it. If you find something worn or broken let me know. I have a couple spare seats in the garage. Of course one has a broken clip.

Chris

sixto · #5 07-22-2007, 02:18 AM

Chris, you're saying you can undo the two screws then slide down the cover panel? There are clips with fangs holding the upholstery to the cover in my car. If I slide the cover downwards, it'll tear the upholstery or cover or both.

Sixto
87 300D

Bio300TDTdriver · #6 07-22-2007, 11:24 AM

Yes that's how mine came off. I changed my seat covers on the drivers seat a couple months ago. I'm going to go slide it off today and I'll post the details. I didn't tear anything as far as I remember.

Chris

Racekar · #7 07-22-2007, 11:53 AM

I think I will wait untill someone figures this out, leather is expensive. My drivers headrest just pulls out without pushing the release button on the back of the seat. There is something that attaches to the rods that enable the motor to grab them and move it?

Bio300TDTdriver · #8 07-22-2007, 12:18 PM

I have an '87 with MB tex. I would guess that there were some changes from '87 to '95. Once that clip is broken that holds it in, you can pull the headrest in and out. I would guess that your clip has broken or come off. You shouldn't be able to pull it in and out. Can you pull the passenger side in and out? I'll post some pictures in an hour or so.

Chris

Bio300TDTdriver · #9 07-22-2007, 03:40 PM

OK you do need to compress the back of the seat and pull the plastic tab out. There are little steel clips holding it in. It is much like the seat bottom, if you have ever taken that apart. The easiest thing to do is take the seat out of the car first. It is just 4 bolts and the the seat belt guide shaft bolt (not the official, just what I call it). Unplug the electric seat connections. It comes out easier through the rear door. I have a wagon so I remove the rear seat bottom first. Once you have it out.

Remove the plastic trim pieces from each side. pic. 3
Remove the 2 screws from the bottom. pic. 1
Compress back of seat and carefully pull it out of the seat back. pic. 2
Once both sides are out the seat back slides down a couple inches and comes out.
Now you can release the little clip held on by the spring in picture 4. Both of my spare seat backs have a broken clip so it doesn't show up.
Now press the upper tab and pull the head rest out.
You should be able to remove the white plastic pieces that hold the seat upholstery on now.

If you want more pictures or have any questions send me a PM.
Chris

sixto · #10 07-22-2007, 05:46 PM

Thanks for the pics.

The 126 and 140 are different in that the seat back upholstery doesn't tuck into the cover. After the screws are out, very little tugging will break the cover loose. No need to compress the seat back to slacken the upholstery or mess with clips or anything like that.

There's a soft spot in the cover that aligns with the headrest riser clip when the headrest is in the fully extended position. No need to remove the cover to release the headrest. I'm sure you know that - just making it clear for the archives.

The part that usually breaks is the track and runner. You can see these plastic parts at the end of the flex cable from the motor in pic 5. The track has two tabs that extend through the vertical metal headrest frame. Tap the metal retainer upward about 3mm and it will disengage from the tabs. The retainer has a couple of keyhole cutouts that engage the tabs. Easier to see how it works after you remove the retainer. If you catch a crack where the mechanism clasps the bottom of the headrest post early enough, you can reinforce it with bailing wire. You have to replace it once pieces fall off.

I'm not that big and thankfully still flexible so I have no problem servicing the seat in the car. I miss the 126 and 140 because there's room for a couple of kids in the back seat with me as I work on the seat

Sixto
87 300D

Bio300TDTdriver · #11 07-22-2007, 06:00 PM

“There's a soft spot in the cover that aligns with the headrest riser clip when the headrest is in the fully extended position. No need to remove the cover to release the headrest. I'm sure you know that - just making it clear for the archives.”

That’s what I was doing wrong. I wasn’t extending the headrest all the way up before pushing in the button. Thanks for clearing that up for future searchers. That makes a lot more sense.

Chris