Can't lower manual seats on 560SL

[prprjp]

Can anyone help me raise the driver/passenger seats on my '86 560Sl? I've searched some of the older threads and people have posted that they cannot lower their seats using the manual lever. However, both of the seats on my car are stuck in the lowered position. What about raising the seats, is there a secret technique for doing this?

The OEM manual doesn't say anything special and I've cleaned and lubed the mechanism but still nothing. The lever does move, albeit begrudgedly, but no change in seat height is forthcoming.

Any ideas?
TIA, Ryan

[txstinger]

If you press the knob on the door side all the way down it will lower the seat - with some hops in the chair with weight. If you pull up on the knob, it should ratchet - click - raising the seat one knotch. Their are about 5 until reaching max.

If the seat is stuck the best thing to do is pull the chair out and give a good inspection.

[Gilly]

There are a few springs associated with that ratcheting mechanism under the seat. I've seen them popped off for various reasons; vacuuming, or stuff somehow got under the seat and made a spring fly off. Pretty weird they'd BOTH have this happen though.

Gilly

[prprjp]

Thanks for the info...

Gilly - I checked the springs whilst I was poking around under the seat and they all appear to be in place.

I think I'll pull the driver-side seat and give it a real good clean.

BTW, whilst looking underneath the seat last night, I found a cable with plug under the driver's side. The plug wasn't connected to anything (i.e. unplugged). Any idea what it is and where it should go? I don't have the heated seats (or at least the switch for the heated seats).

Any ideas?
Thanks again, Ryan

[cbdo]

I think there's a switch in the seat to sense when there's someone in it and activate the seat belt alarm when the car's first switched on.

[maheath]

The SRS system has a wire harness that goes to both the seat belt retractor and the female belt recepticle (and airbag).

Acutally, I believe the wire harness for the heated seats is installed whether the heating pads are installed or not. That's probably what you're seeing.

[yeldogt]

I have had them stick all the way down -- normally you just have to shift the seat around while you play with the lever.

If you do go to the trouble of taking the seat out of the car you should order the plastic sliders that the seat moves on -- the seat uses two different types -- they are very cheap and any dealer can order them!

I plan on doing this this summer -- I had not thought of the springs -- I think I will order them!

No point in taking it all out and not fixing it!

[txstinger]

By chance do you know the kind needed for an 83 500sl - 107.046? I just finished the passenger seat and all it needed was cleaning and re-torque. While cleaning under the driver seat I found a slide, so I know beforehand I need these.

txstinger

[yeldogt]

Just go to any dealer - they will qiickly be able to tell you -- I would think that a 500sl would have the same seat as any other sl of the same year. The 500sl was a gray market in the US. two different types in each seat. I think 8 of one and two of another

[txstinger]

8 and 2 - I'm intrigued to the 2 slide... What and where are they?

Thanks

[abe g]

On my 450sl 1977 model, the seat adjustment cam Used for many model years) adjust the height about one inch plus. Allowing for the labor involved, the result does not seem to justify seat removal. Good luck, Abe G

[Richard1]

When I can't lower the seat on my 560SL, I just have someone really fat sit in it....works every time.