Retracting Seatbelts in 72 108 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 07-03-2003, 11:27 AM

I would like to update the front belts in my 72 280SE. I want to put OEM-type belts with retractors. Any ideas?

#2 07-03-2003, 12:05 PM

Mercedes put out a technical service bulletin around 1986-88 outlining how such a conversion could be accomplished. I think the w123 was the donor for the belt system, but am not certain.

#3 07-03-2003, 01:10 PM

Thanks...do you know how I might get a hand on one of those bulletins?

ctaylor738 · #4 07-03-2003, 08:42 PM

There was a lot of discussion on the mercedes-veterans list. Suggest you go to www.mbz.org and poke around in the archives.

#5 07-03-2003, 09:36 PM

Pulled from mbz.org message board archives:

Date: Sat, 01 Jan 2000 19:59:37 -0800
From: Frank Mallory
Subject: Re: [MBLIST] W108: Retractable Seatbelts.

Richard J. Sexton (Mechanic Role) wrote:
>
> At 09:45 AM 10/13/99 EDT, you wrote:
> > Hello John,
> > There is a Service Bulletin that Mercedes issued in 1991 about converting
> >108/109/111/113 cars to retractable seat belts. They sell a special plate for
> >mounting the various pieces and give part numbers and instructions...now if I
> >could just remember where I put mine....
> > Regards,
> > Randy D.
>
> Did you find it yet?
I can't find anything listed in 1991. The applicable Service
Informations appear to be:

MBNA 91/010, dated 5/1/88, Subsequent installation of Automatic locking
retractors, Models 108, 109

MBNA 91/015, ditto for Model 113, dated 5/1/89.

I don't have either one of these, but they are available to US customers
from MBNA.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Hope this helps.

#6 07-03-2003, 09:49 PM

Thanks.... I really appreciate all your help.

tosbt · #7 07-03-2003, 11:23 PM

Say Jake, give us an update will ya?

#8 07-04-2003, 02:41 PM

I will update as soon as figure out how to get the bulletin from MBNA. By the way, how's the hill country? We used to live in TX, and love the Austin area.

tosbt · #9 07-04-2003, 03:15 PM

Oh it's great here! We are going down to the lake (town lake) to see the Fireworks tonight, having a few Shiners with our friends alongs with some ribs. Will be posting pictures of my car soon. Good luck on the seat belts, I have the same problem and hope to change too.

tosbt · #10 07-04-2003, 04:02 PM

Hey Jake, a suggestion. I joined my belts together with a bolt at the male hardware, and took some tape and bound the two together right above where the two join together. The results are a single pull and makes it somewhat easier.

#11 07-05-2003, 08:47 PM

mine do join together at the tongue, but they are a real PITA when undone, always getting caught in the door. Shiners rock, we had some about a month ago, when we passed through TX & LA. I have drank my weight in those things and had some interesting times, including a perfectly stupid midnite climb up Enchanted Rock.... God protects fools & drunks....

skalie · #12 07-06-2003, 03:58 AM

Just a note, belts from Mercedes are a little on the expensive side.

I needed to add a seat belt in the back seat for a child stool, the quote for a three-point jobbie from Mercedes was around 400$US.

I ended up getting a laptop version from "Halfords" for about 20 $US, bolted straight in.

(114 or 115 220D from 1973)

JMela · #13 07-07-2003, 12:23 PM

Here's a possibility if you have exhausted all your domestic options...

http://www.dbdepot.de/englisch/108/index_1024.html

scroll down to 'accessories' for belts and mounting instructions immer Deutsch.

viel gluck!

skalie · #14 07-07-2003, 12:53 PM

Wow, good link, JMela.

I will be needing a couple of three pointers as it goes (extra babies, extra baby seats).

Preferring not to go to the scrapyard for belts, that link will save me oodles of dineros.

Cheers.

(assuming the belts fit in a 115, that is)