W124 Power Headrest Fix...Easy DIY! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

G-Benz · #1 07-31-2002, 08:17 PM

Passenger side headrest on my W124 was fixed under extended warranty two years ago. Driver's side headrest just stopped going down about two weeks ago.

Did a search and found what I needed to remove the seatback for access. Went to the garage and did just that (will be easier the second time now that I know how to remove it).

Called Phil at PartsShop and told him what I needed. He handled the order in a cordial, professional manner, even though it was a relatively inexpensive part.

UPS guy showed up today as I pulling into the driveway. Went to the garage and swapped out the part in a matter of minutes...it was just that simple!

Reattached the seatback and VOILA! Repair completed!

Not sure what the dealer would have charged for that service, but if I figure their labor rate and multiply PartShop prices by two, they would have done this for about $170! Cost me $18!

This forum ROCKS!!!!! Many of us would not be able to afford to keep our MBs running if it wasn't for this site!

David C Klasse · #2 07-31-2002, 08:41 PM

So what was the part!?!?

uberwagon · #3 08-01-2002, 12:07 PM

G-Benz,
So I just bought a 300TE with a dead driver's side headrest. It's all well and good that your excited about fixing something but give us some details please. What was the part you replaced? Any tips for removing the back of the seat?
UW

#4 08-01-2002, 12:49 PM

G-Benz please post instructions on how to remove the back of the seat. I need to remove mine to change the storage net and when I lossen the screws it still would not come out. I tried to pull it with a liitle force so as not to brake it but it still would not move. What is the secret?

G-Benz · #5 08-01-2002, 02:20 PM

I wish I had a digital camera...I could have posted the step-by-step procedure...oh well.

Yes, there are two philips-type screws on the bottom of the seatback. Remove those first (duh!).

The seatback removal is tricky. If your seatback hasn't been touched since factory installation (which most are) it will take a bit of coaxing.

No, you dont have to remove the headrest to do this. The top of the seatback has a 1 - 1 1/2" lip. The sides are held on by the tension of the front seat cover (which is provided by the seat springs of course).

The seatback sides have a channel that runs the entire height. The front seat cover lip sits in that channel. To remove, take a screwdriver at the bottom of each channel and carefully pull the front seat cover lip out of the seatback channel. Once started, push the side bolster on the side you are working on as close to the seat springs as possible to relieve tension. That will allow you to pull the remainder of the seat cover lip away from the channel. Repeat this step for the other side of the seatback channel.

Actually, if you just get one side off, there is enough access to replace the offending part.

The part number may be different for your car...I just asked Phil to order one up. He sold me a pair for $35 (figure I might have a spare for down the road).

The gear assembly is a one-piece self-contained unit, so you just swap out the old one. It is fastened to one of the vertical metal seat supports via two round plastic protrusions, held in place by a metal cotter-pin like part.
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This is all partially hidden cosmetically by a felt strip which extends down the metal support. The metal cotter pin (for lack of a better description) can be "encouraged" with a flat screwdriver and a hammer tapping against the bottom of it to force it upward.

Push the plastic protrusions into the metal seat support and it will free up the entire gear assembly. There is a flexible rod attached to the motor, and it attached to the gear assembly slot. That can be pulled out gently by hand.

More than likely, the old part is either missing or has a broken plastic fastener at the top of the assembly. This holds the headrest in place. The slider can move the headrest up because it pushes up anyway, but there is nothing to hold the headrest rod for the trip down. If this is the case, you can just pull the headrest up and out of the way.

Anyway, if you get this far, the hard part is done. Install is the reverse of removal.

Hope this helps (sorry for no pics).

#6 08-01-2002, 05:54 PM

Mine does not move no matter what. I pulled so hard that I was actually pulling the whole car back and forth and the seat back cover would just not move.
I cant figure out where the channel is.
That thing is so stubborn, I tried to take it out in the past and I gave up.
Now its becoming a matter of honor

I think I will pull out my sledge hammer and we'll see who is the boss here

#7 08-01-2002, 07:02 PM

Never mind, I figured it out. Boy, that tested my nerves

Thanks G-Benz for the instuctions.

95E320cab · #8 08-01-2002, 10:18 PM

If you fish the old part out of the seat bottom, you can fasten it back to the seat structure with a couple of plastic ties. I've done this to both of my headrests and it works fine.

WANT '71 280SEL · #9 07-06-2003, 09:43 PM

you guys speak of this channel. Is it JUST the soft upholstery part that slides or does it have some kind of frame to it to keep its shape. OR does it fit somewhat like a sheet on a mattress?
Thanks
David