Timing the Paws for seat height

The seat adjustment lever always pops up and won't stay in the down (rest) position. If someone could please advise on this point, I would be quite grateful. I have disassembled the mechanism that controls the seat height on a manual seat for a European 1985 107 model. I do not see any way to change the timing as it seems to only fit together one way. What holds it down? What is the torque setting for the center bolt? Could it be friction? This is making me a little crazy. If it is in the CD, I cannot find it. I had an earlier post and was told to time the paws, but they look in time. Anyone have an explanation?

Steve
'85 500SL (Euro)

[Benzmac]

The paws must be in time, but there is a spring that returns the lever back to the rest position. If the mechanism is dirty, it will not work properly.
I take out the seats and clean and lube the tracks well.

Good luck

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Benzmac:
Donnie Drummonds
1991 GMC Syclone
ASE CERTIFIED MASTER AUTO TECHNICIAN
SERVICE MANAGER FOR 14 BAY FACILITY
MERCEDES SPECIALIST 8 YRS
PARTNER IN MERCEDESSHOP.COM

Thanks for your response! The spring on the hand lever is attached to a hole in the frame that pulls it upwards, not to rest (unless the rest position is up and I am all-wrong about the rest position being down, parallel to the frame). Is there another spring or something? The front paw stops upward travel at the front bolt. When pushed down, he rear paw seems to hold it in place but slips easily out of the tooth from the spring pressure form the big, 100-lb. spring that pulls the seat up (if you pick your weight up off the seat). The spring that connects the paws together is also in place. I recently pulled out the seat and totally disassembled, cleaned and reassembled the device but it operates the same as before.

Is the wavy washer supposed to be flattened? I didn't think so, so it is tight but not flat.
Could the paw or spring be worn out? I don't think so. What else could it be?

Regarding lube of the seat tracks, there is a plastic-like way that the seat rides on inside the seat track. What type of lube should be used on that? (I have removed the seat tracks and lubed them with a silicon grease.)

Thanks again for an outstanding site and sharing your knowledge.

Steve
'85 500SL Euro