Swimming pool 'noodle' to prop up spring seats? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

benhogan · #1 05-25-2011, 03:37 PM

I got the idea from Delibes yesterday.

The driver's seat springs are completely shot. I was going to run out and get the fattest noodle I can find and jam it under the seat. I don't feel like removing the whole seat.

Has anyone tried this low-tech method before?

oldsinner111 · #2 05-25-2011, 03:40 PM

Yes I fixed my seat that way 3 years ago.

zeke · #3 05-25-2011, 03:48 PM

There is a pretty detailed DIY here on the site.

I think doing it without removing the seat (4 bolts - pretty easy) would be more difficult than removing the seat.

leathermang · #4 05-25-2011, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benhogan

.....Has anyone tried this low-tech method before?

LOL,

245 threads in the search engine for ' noodle'....

kerry · #5 05-25-2011, 06:09 PM

I didn't like it. Too stiff. Took them out.

leathermang · #6 05-25-2011, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

I didn't like it. Too stiff. Took them out.

You have what is called " The Princess and the Pea Butt " ....
so it was not going to be comfortable for you.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Princess_and_the_Pea

kerry · #7 05-25-2011, 08:00 PM

W123 Seat repair with Pool Noodles PIC'S

leathermang · #8 05-25-2011, 08:25 PM

LOL, I take it back.... you clearly have a high level of stamina and the noodles were the wrong fix for the seat and packed too tightly....

Hit Man X · #9 05-25-2011, 10:27 PM

They only work for a while.

You need to fix the spring, install new padding, and use the factory cylinder inserts up front to make it correct.

leathermang · #10 05-25-2011, 10:50 PM

At one time it was posted in the archives that ' extra firm' padding was available from the factory.... I don't remember if it was called ' orthopedic ' or not... but there are long threads in archives with parts numbers and such I think.....If they did not get wiped out when Txbill left....

Hit Man X · #11 05-25-2011, 11:53 PM

I have the PNs for those cylinders if anyone needs 'em. I purchased them at the dealer for about $5/ea from what I recall.

katja · #12 05-26-2011, 12:15 AM

I need to repair my seats really badly, especially the back seat...I have been putting this off for years. I can find pool noodles & memory foam, but it sounds like it is better to do it the way MB intended.

Do they still make the "horsehair" pads or is there a better subsitute? Where can you get the seat pads - the dealer or the Classic Center?

warmblood58 · #13 05-26-2011, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katja

I need to repair my seats really badly, especially the back seat...I have been putting this off for years. I can find pool noodles & memory foam, but it sounds like it is better to do it the way MB intended.

Do they still make the "horsehair" pads or is there a better subsitute? Where can you get the seat pads - the dealer or the Classic Center?

Been having that debate myself -the horsehair pads are expensive. I went by a well known upholstery shop to see if they had hh padding in bulk and they laughed and said that it was never a very good product and they use high density foam and other techniques for better results. There are many on this site however who swear by hh padding . . I am going to do one car with hh padding and another without and see what kind of results I get

brainlair · #14 05-26-2011, 01:10 PM

My solution to this problem was a pair of new horsehair seat pads (the backs are usually OK), and two PASSENGER side box springs from two different '91 W126s from a junkyard. Thank you cash for clunkers!

leathermang · #15 05-27-2011, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by warmblood58

Been having that debate myself -the horsehair pads are expensive. I went by a well known upholstery shop to see if they had hh padding in bulk and they laughed and said that it was never a very good product and they use high density foam and other techniques for better results. There are many on this site however who swear by hh padding . . I am going to do one car with hh padding and another without and see what kind of results I get

Why did you discount the advice of the professional upholstery shop ?
My local shop carries that foam in three densities... and you can layer them to get some great effects....and it is easy to cut ( use an electric vibrating serrated kitchen carving knife if you have it ). You can contour it easily and exactly like you need... unlike the horse hair pads...
They may only sell it in single pads.. maybe four feet by six or something... find some other locals needing seat work and go in together to get more than one density to mix in...
The stuff is great. That is why they suggested it....and it is used in so many items we sit on.... Horse hair padding is literally left over from when these car companies were making COACHES pulled by HORSES..... think about that....
And they originally used it because it was CHEAP and AVAILABLE..... not because it was good for the job...just like the shop told you.