Tennis balls? We don't need no stinkin' tennis balls!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rwthomas1 · #1 12-16-2002, 10:27 PM

I tried something neat out tonight and I gotta pass it on. I removed my drivers seat to check the springs as I had a slight sag to the left. To my surprise the springs in the seat pan were fine. The problem was the springs were chewing into the foam seat pad as it was cracked and deteriorating. I am 6ft/245lbs and the seat was a little too soft even with sound springs. Since the foam pad was not in bad shape except for the areas of spring contact I started looking around for stuff to reinforce the foam and springs. I used a carpet remnant and a pool noodle. Take the pool noodle and cut a piece off that is about the height of the two coil springs in the front of the seat pan. Spray the pieces with silicone lube and twist them into the coil springs. The foam pool noodle pieces really firm up the springs!! You could adjust the length a little to get a little more or less spring compression depending on how you want it. I attached a piece of carpet cut to fit the top of the spring frame and wired it on with galvanized steel wire about the diameter of the hog rings I had to pull out to get the seat cover off. The idea here was to provide a flexible but tough surface for the springs to ride against and keep them from chewing into the foam. I then reinstalled the seat foam and top cover on the frame. I didn't have any hog rings to reattach the seat cover so I laced it on with some of the aforementioned wire being careful to cut the ends short and turn them in so the don't punch through the seat. Fully reassembled and reinstalled the seat is very firm and is nice and even. I expect the pool noodle foam to settle a little and then it should be perfect. For all the bigger Benz owners this is a really simple and worthwhile fix. I would imagine that it would also help out a seat with broken springs as well. Noodles are like 99cents at WalMart or Pool stores. Hope this helps someone, RT

#2 12-17-2002, 12:07 PM

Another big guy with busted springs, I have the same problem.

But what in heaven's name is a "pool noodle?"

I wonder if they're available here in Michigan in wintertime.

rwthomas1 · #3 12-17-2002, 12:14 PM

Pool noodles are those foam things kids float on/play with in pools. They are like 4" in diameter and about 5-6feet long. Some have a small hole through the center and some are solid. Some are round in section, some octagonal. They are semi-soft and fairly tough. I used a solid/round one. Might be tough to find in the middle of winter.... Maybe a dedicated pool store? RT

Peyton300TD · #4 12-17-2002, 02:06 PM

and they were invented by my neighbor, Mr. Noel, a french Belgian man.

he has a beautiful SL that looks like the gullwing body style, just a convertible.

eric

rwthomas1 · #5 12-17-2002, 07:26 PM

Then you should be able to get them for free!! Be sure to let him know the new use for his invention. I also put them in RC boats to keep 'em afloat when I flip. RT