107 Rear Seat Installation
 

Gentelmen

I have a 1986 560SL with an aftermarket rear seat installed. The installation looks extreamy questionable to me. I have enclosed pictures of this installation. If anyone has pictures of a factory installation, I would certainly appriciate it. I couple of things I'v noticed are:

1) Belts are installed with Grade 5 SAE bolts.

2) The seatbelt bolt ends at the center do not sit flush to anything leading me to belive holes were just drilled anywhere convinient in the chassi to mount them. There apeares to be some kind of factory mounting plate above the center belt mounts that is not being used.

3) The belts come through a non factory made hole in the side pannels that was made just above what apears to be a factory made hole that has a slot so the pannel can be removed without removing the belt. On the current setup I have to remove the belt to remove the side pannel commpletely.

John Roncallo

John, can you find the manufacturer of the seat? If not, I think it may be the one that you buy from Performance Products.



I pulled a bolt that holds the seatbelt bucker in place, and it has grade 8 bolt holding it in.

I did one of these installations, looked alot slicker than that. Yes there were the factory tapped holes/gussets that I used for the belts, and I seem to remember just trimming vinyl in the side panels for the slots. Can't remember what year the SL was, I think mid to late 80's, not as late as 89 though. Pretty sure it was a 560. Option now is what? Repair the holes already cut or replace panels. I can't see if they DID use the threaded holes, or they missed all of those too? Then you have holes to fill. Myself I'd be happy with the Grade 5 bolts, but there is always debate about shear strength, etc. My thought is that if a Grade 5 ain't gonna cut it (in an accident), you're gonna have alot worse things to worry about. Grade 5 I think the shear characteristics might be more what you need in an accident. But make sure they used the factory locations for both sides of the belt. I think the seat was sourced from BHMA (Beverly Hills Motoring Accesories), not sure, owner provided part. Guy wanted it for hauling grandkids.
Gilly