I recently purchased an 85300td. When I got it, the mbtex covering on the rear seat bases (split seats) was loose from the frame in the bottom on the back. This is visible when the bases are flipped forward to utilize the back area and obvious even when flipped down since the MBtex looks loose on the seat.
I removed the bases, turned them upside down, compressed the seat, then fit the MBtex back down into the lip on the base. It did not seem to have any other means of securing it other than the tension of making the 180 degree turn around that lip.
How, a month later, it has come loose again. Should I be doing something else to secure that MBtex under that lip?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Sash cord or shock cord (what I used) about 1/4" thick (check mearurement) stuffed hard in that channel that the lip goes into, will keep it from slipping out. You can compress that channel with a mallet (probably the "correct " way) but it makes it really difficult to remove the seat covers later if you want .

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

The same thing happened to me on my 84.

Luckily when I brought it home for the first time, my father in law the appolsterer from switzerland was around to help (he always carrys a needle and thread in his wallet).

Before he jammed the MBtex back into the channel, I think he made sure that the plastic edging on the MBtex was securly attached (he had to resew in a couple of places). He also restitched the corner seam that was coming unraveled at the bottom.

With those fixes, the MBtex has been in place for 9 months without slipping.

alec

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84 300TD - 235k - Farbe "Surfblau" bought at 213k
87 300SDL - 131k - Farbe "PimpGold" bought at 115k
00 Klepper Faltboot Expedition Double

Thanks for the advice. I used the shock cord idea. Now I'll see how long it lasts.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13