Have new MB Tex covers for my 83 SL. They're tight top to bottom & loose side-side - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bcolins · #1 07-18-2012, 12:56 PM

I bought new MB Tex covers for my 83 SL from Topsonline.com (through their eBay auction). The seat bottoms look great but I couldnt get the seat back to look right in my trial fit,....the cover appeared to be too wide at the back, so that there was a big excess of material puckering on the sides and where the sides met the center portion at the back.

I called the seller, he said that I needed to add foam padding because the horsehair pad has shrunk, or that maybe someone put SLC seats in my SL,....and that they are not identical.

The cover is actually so tight from top to bottom, that I was unable to get the bottom lock strip in place by my self, so, I had an upholstery professional look at it (for a fee). It took two of us, a heat gun and bending the metal lock strip tab out to be able to get the bottom lock strip in place. then there was WAAY too much material with puckering on both sides of the seat back just like I had noticed on my trial fit.

The Manufacturer said, he never has a problem with his SL covers unless the old pad has collapsed which would require some new foam padding, or its the wrong frame (like an SLC). The upholstery guy said he has never had an issue with the covers he uses, (GAHH), but that they are more expensive than the $399 I paid for mine (which included an arm rest, head rests and material for the backs. He further said that the padding most likely wont correct the loose from side to side problem because the seam wont line up on the back of the seat back opening,......where it needs to go.

Now wondering If I do have SLC seats. I have an orange sticker on the horsehair pad on the one seat I have taken apart,....it does have a 107.910.0516 printed on it. So far have not seen a number stamped on the metal frame.

Can anyone assist?

Brian in Austin

cushjbc · #2 07-18-2012, 07:12 PM

Brian,

I had a look at the EPC. The part number you provided is the seatback pad used on both seats up to ident number 033071. The part number switches to 107 901 09 16 for SLs produced after that.

The seat back frame numbers are 107 910 09 34 (left) and 107 910 10 34 (right) up to ident 033071; 107 910 15 34 (left) and 107 910 16 34 (right) after that.

bcolins · #3 07-19-2012, 09:42 AM

Thanks Brad

Quote:

Originally Posted by cushjbc

Brian,

I had a look at the EPC. The part number you provided is the seatback pad used on both seats up to ident number 033071. The part number switches to 107 901 09 16 for SLs produced after that.

The seat back frame numbers are 107 910 09 34 (left) and 107 910 10 34 (right) up to ident 033071; 107 910 15 34 (left) and 107 910 16 34 (right) after that.

meltedpanda · #4 07-19-2012, 04:24 PM

I not accepting the sellers explanation - unless the horse hair pads are destroyed, ( and they can be) I would think they would fit fairly snug even with wear. Were your current covers - "baggy" they should at a minimum fit/look like the old ones My 2 cents

bcolins · #5 07-19-2012, 05:02 PM

Actually, the horse hair in the back still looks good and is NOT brittle or breaking down. The original leather cover was still very snug on the seat bottom and back.

The new seat BOTTOM cover went on as I expected and has no excess material anywhere,....looks great.

Quote:

Originally Posted by meltedpanda

I not accepting the sellers explanation - unless the horse hair pads are destroyed, ( and they can be) I would think they would fit fairly snug even with wear. Were your current covers - "baggy" they should at a minimum fit/look like the old ones My 2 cents

mickward · #6 07-20-2012, 10:45 PM

They may have sent you covers for a 560SL.
Mick

bcolins · #7 07-21-2012, 07:02 AM

I sent the seat back covers and my seat back, back to the seller (at his request, and he paid for shipping) yesterday. I'm going to call him Monday and suggest that maybe the seat back covers he sent were actually 560SL covers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickward

They may have sent you covers for a 560SL.
Mick

Bryan Harter · #8 07-24-2012, 05:19 PM

That sounds like a pretty fair way to proceed Brian.
I am shopping around for covers from my 450SL and have watched the eBay suppliers. I have Blue-Gray leather (don't think it was available in vinyl). I was curious how the patterns might change from 450SL to 560SL (and was the euro 500SL different ?).

Keep us posted, also hope to see you at the car show on 9/9 in Austin....so get crack'n !
Bryan

HALSTEG · #9 08-14-2012, 10:28 PM

HOW DO THE SEAT RECLINER KNOBS COME OFF? IS THERE A SPECIAL TOOL? I HAVE ORDERED A SET OF COVERS FROM THE SAME TOPSONLINE AND NEED TO REMOVE THE OLD COVERS. THANKS FOR ANY ADVISE .

rowdie · #10 08-15-2012, 08:00 AM

Pop out the center cover and proceed from there. Also check the on line service manual.

HALSTEG · #11 08-15-2012, 08:16 AM

THANKS I HAVE REMOVED THE CAP BUT THE RETAINER SNAP RING IS WHAT HAS ME WONDERING. I HATE TO BREAK THE PLASTIC KNOB. DO YOU JUST REMOVE WITH FORCE? OR IS THERE AN EASY WAY? WHERE DO I FIND THE ON LINE MANUAL? NEW TO THIS 1979 SL. THANKS HAL

rowdie · #12 08-15-2012, 08:33 AM

No need to SHOUT.

Model 107

It has been a few years so I don't remember. Maybe someone who has done it recently.

bcolins · #13 08-15-2012, 10:46 AM

Seems to me, using a flat tip screwdriver, I chased one of the snap ring tabs (assume you are talking about the the star shaped spring washer??) around in a circle until the tabs lined up,...and then it came right off)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HALSTEG

THANKS I HAVE REMOVED THE CAP BUT THE RETAINER SNAP RING IS WHAT HAS ME WONDERING. I HATE TO BREAK THE PLASTIC KNOB. DO YOU JUST REMOVE WITH FORCE? OR IS THERE AN EASY WAY? WHERE DO I FIND THE ON LINE MANUAL? NEW TO THIS 1979 SL. THANKS HAL

meltedpanda · #14 08-15-2012, 11:15 AM

obtain a snap ring pliers , makes the job easier

HALSTEG · #15 08-15-2012, 03:03 PM

Thanks all. I got it. The knobs off. It turns untill the slots aling and it comes off. Simple if you know how.