380 Seat Height Spring is loose
 

The passenger seat on my 380SL was impossible to adjust forward/backward and up/down. I removed the seat and found that the rails were solid with (I guess) old lubricant. I cleaned the old stuff out and regressed the rails/runners. So far A OK! Next I found that the BIG spring that looks to control the seat up/down adjustment was only connected at one end! I have a feeling the previous owner tried to fix the unit and couldn't. So I said, I'll just finish the job. Not a good idea. I spent probably 2 hours trying to attach the loose end of the spring to the under seat opening in the frame. Mission Impossible! Can this be done by a DIY person? Is there any special tool to use for this job? Any one know how this should be done?
Any ideas will be appreciated.
Thanks

Which spring are you talking about ...the one on the adjusting lever, or the big one under the seat?
I detached the big one so my seat stays in the lowest position all the time. Before, the seat would raise itself uninvited and I had no luck adjusting the mechanism to stop it. I needed the headroom anyway.

Seat Spring Problem
 

I am talking about the big spring under the seat. It is almost impossible to expand enough without a crane!

I took it off by prying with a huge screwdriver, I suppose I would try to put it back the same way.

See the picture I posted of a tool I made for this job, about 1/2 way down the thread http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-sl-discussion-forum/222141-1985-280-sl-passenger-front-seat.html?highlight=seat
If you want, I could provide dimensions for you to make your own.

Seat Spring Tool
 

That is a neat tool. I tried everything and anything in the garage but couldn't get me and the tool in the space available. Any thing you could provide would be appreciated. I'm sure I can fabricate some thing like it.
Thanks a million.

Bob Chapman

I did this with a bottle jack and a block of wood, but it's still dangerous, watch your fingers.

There is no reason to remove this spring when removing your seats and/or reupholstering them, as I found out :(

Here's the shop manual specification for the 'local manufacture' tool :rolleyes:
(adobe file at the bottom) Basically, it's just a long bar with a hook that you hold on the front of the riser, the pivot point, and pull the spring back using the mechanical advantage of the leverage from the bar.
I made mine from some scrap 1/4" X 1" flat bar stock (pic from the old thread). I cut the main bar 2ft long, and drilled 2 holes, one at the bottom/end, and another 3 1/2" from the end. I cut the second piece 8 1/2" long, with a hole drilled in the end of it, and 3 holes at the other end.
I used a 3" bolt into the end hole of the long bar to make a 'T' at the bottom so the bar won't twist as it rests against the riser. This is like the welded pipe in the shop manual drawing. The hole 3 1/2" up this bar is used to attach the second piece, using a bolt and nut. This is like the long hook in the drawing. The 3 other holes were for adjustment to position the 'S' hook that I used to attach the tool to the spring.
I think almost any piece of stock, even pipe, could be used to make the long lever, and the hook could be as simple as a piece of heavy wire or even cable, but I'd use something very heavy duty to make certain the spring doesn't come off while stretched!http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...8&d=1212970231

This tool works like a champion. 20 minutes to make and 1 minute to attach the spring. I'll share mine if you need one. Email me.