Seat back releases. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tecqboy · #1 03-31-2003, 10:27 PM

1991 SL300 The seats in my vehicle must be moved (via the electric motors) as far forward as they will go before the hand activated chrome latch handle will release the seat and allow it to tilt forward for access to the rear. I've heard that this was changed in later years as it is a real PITA as well as lots of wear and tear on the motors. It also curls up the carpet pads. Anyone hear of this? Is there a mod? Thanks Tod

G-Benz · #2 04-01-2003, 11:20 AM

Is yours doing that right now?

Now aware of any changes made in that respect, but the seat does not behave in any manner when the latch is engaged...other than allowing the seatback to tilt forward.

The only automatic adjustment I have witnessed is when you push the seat back, the seatback adjustment will raise forward to allow such.

My wife is always moving her seat alot (back all the way when she enters and exits), and the floormat is bunched up anyway...

...besides, I have yet to fix the cable release on ours...it is no longer operational...

bobterry99 · #3 04-05-2003, 08:09 AM

The chrome handle on the side of the seat pulls a control cable which releases the catches holding the seatback. If the release is not working, it is probably due to cable stretch. The fix is quick and easy. Pop-out the lower and upper cushions and then adjust the cable to remove excess slack.

slor911 · #4 05-13-2003, 04:22 AM

How do you remove the seat cushions ... this happens to my 1990 500SL every couple years and I'd really like to fix it myself this time - it can't be anything to it. I tried for 15 minutes to get the back cushion off, but couldn't figure it out; do I have to remove the bottom cushion first?

Any input is greatly appreciated.

G-Benz · #5 05-13-2003, 09:55 AM

The bottom cushion helps to hold the seatback in place...so it's best to remove the cushion first.

Pretty easy job though. There are two 10mm bolts underneath the front of the cushion on opposite ends. Remove those and the cushion will slip right out. The seatbacks are held on the bottom by two (or three, I can't remember) allen head or Torx screws...I found both on mine, so someone has tinkered with it before. Anyway, they are at the bottom of the seatback.

That's it. It's a five-to-ten-minute job. You will have access to just about everything from that point on.

tecqboy · #6 05-13-2003, 07:38 PM

Thanks, I'm gonna check into that in the next couple of days and I'll post my findings. I've taken the bottom cushions out in the past, but never the backs. I can see the cable, but it is really a big guage wire and I never expected it would stretch. Tod

G-Benz · #7 05-14-2003, 11:32 AM

I agree. It's a pretty hefty cable, and I saw no mechanism to adjust for stretch. What I DID see was that the cable would dislodge from the lower portion of the seat where it was clamped to the seat chassis. Couldn't get it to stay put either...so I'm still investigating.

bobterry99 · #8 05-14-2003, 11:59 AM

The end of the cable that is not attached to the release handle is pinched by a tightened bolt, as I recall. Just loosen the bolt and pull the cable tighter. It is just like adjusting the brakes on a bicycle.

slor911 · #9 05-17-2003, 01:18 PM

G-Benz ... thanks for the instructions! It was exactly as you described. Took about 5 minutes per seat to get both the bottom cushion and seat back off.

Adjusting the cables is exactly like on a bicycle ... takes about another minute or two per cable.

I had both seats finished and put together in less than 30 minutes - very easy job.

Thanks for all the input!
-Aaron

slor911 · #10 05-17-2003, 01:26 PM

One problem since adjusting the cables for the seat back release ... when I start the car I get a strange warning beep for about 30 seconds and the seatbelt light stays on (even after I buckle both seat belts).

Any one ever heard of this? Is there a sensor that needs to be reset? Aaron

bobterry99 · #11 05-17-2003, 04:42 PM

The warning beep means the seat back is not latched. I don't know, but I would guess there is a microswitch on the mechanism for the seat back latch. Is it possible you took-up too much slack in the cable so that the cable is always slightly pulling on the latch and keeping it from returning to its home position?

slor911 · #12 05-18-2003, 04:52 PM

Yep, that is a possibility. I wanted to "make sure" the issue didn't reoccur again too soon. I might have gone a little over board. I'll readjust it now ...

slor911 · #13 05-18-2003, 08:27 PM

Yep, that is a possibility. I wanted to "make sure" the issue didn't reoccur again too soon. I might have gone a little over board. I'll readjust it now ...

slor911 · #14 05-18-2003, 08:30 PM

bobterry99 ... that did it. Exactly as you suggested, I adjusted the cable a little the other way and no more warning beep. Thanks! Aaron

tecqboy · #15 05-20-2003, 09:08 PM

OK, I finally got my laches to release without having to move the seat back up via the motor. In my vehicle (1991 300SL) the adjustment is located behind the actual lever on the side of the seat. So, it isn't actually necessary to remove the cushions, but I didn't know that before I started on this project. Behind the lever handle are a pair of cables, one for each side of the seat. Each cable has a double nut hollow threaded sleve lash assembly; sorta like on a bicycle derailer. Taking up the play in the cable just requires adjusting the sleve position. Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. Tod