W111 front seat question. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Idle · #1 03-14-2015, 10:43 AM

Since the Russkie EPC site is down I can't check part numbers so I am just going to throw this out there......

I am working on a 1967 250SE Coupe. The Drivers seat is OK but the passenger seat is shot. Somewhere along the way someone repaired or replaced the drivers seat and left the passenger seat for another day.

But what is really needed is the set of springs in the bottom since the back seems to be OK.

The problem: A set of springs is about $900 and change. And that is just for the springs. Solution: A good set of springs from another W111 Coupe.

But I don't see that as reasonable since there are not that many of them out there. SO.... Will the springs from a W111 Sedan seat bottom work? They are far easier to come by in good condition than the springs from a Coupe and since this is going to get the full restoration treatment the outside is not important as the springs inside.

Any info this would be helpful.

JPMOSE · #2 03-14-2015, 11:14 AM

If your chassis number is 088752 or higher, then the box spring part number is A1119105822.
I'm glad you posted this question, as I wanted to replace my box spring on the drivers seat for my 280SE 3.5 Cab. It wasn't available for quite a number of years!!

JPMOSE · #3 03-14-2015, 11:19 AM

BTW...the earlier box spring is NLA...unfortunate for early 220 owners.

Idle · #4 03-14-2015, 12:52 PM

Thanks. That is very helpful information.

Tony H · #5 03-17-2015, 01:38 AM

My coupe had some broken seat bottom springs when I got it and the seats were sagging badly. I discovered the coupe seats have flat springs and the space under the seat is hollow to accommodate the vacuum solenoid for the seat back release. The sedan seat bottoms have coil springs like a living room chair and are much more durable and supportive. The sedan seat bottoms fit exactly like the coupe ones but there is no space for the solenoid-I have not worked that problem out. I just bought new horsehair pads from GAAH and they are VERY nice.

Idle · #6 03-18-2015, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony H

My coupe had some broken seat bottom springs when I got it and the seats were sagging badly. I discovered the coupe seats have flat springs and the space under the seat is hollow to accommodate the vacuum solenoid for the seat back release. The sedan seat bottoms have coil springs like a living room chair and are much more durable and supportive. The sedan seat bottoms fit exactly like the coupe ones but there is no space for the solenoid-I have not worked that problem out. I just bought new horsehair pads from GAAH and they are VERY nice.

Well now that is handy information to have. The car in question does not have a vac. locking system so it might not have the vac in the seat backs. I will just have to dig in there and find out.

Thanks for the timely tip. I am going salvage yard shopping in a few weeks and am making a list of things to pick up and to look for. I would have hated to buy a set of springs that would not work.

JPMOSE · #7 03-19-2015, 07:37 AM

W111 3.5's don't have a vac locking system but do have vac seats standard. Maybe that's why the box spring changed at the serial number I listed above? Perhaps early W111 Coupe/Cabs had a lever on the side of the seat. Unfortunately, the flat springs became popular on models for several years following their introduction in the 1960's. I had to replace the drivers seat box spring on my W123 and W126 (which was only 2 1/2 years old...prior owner weighted a lot!!), as the flat springs commonly broke.

Idle · #8 03-19-2015, 11:17 AM

More handy info.

It appears I am going to need to tear into the seat bottom to see what I am dealing with. The car is not mine and the owner is not wild about tearing out his seat with nothing to replace it but it appears to be the only way to discover the correct springs to buy.

I don't recall any lifting arm on the seat side, like some 450SLC's have, so the only thing to do is to remove the seat, look it over, and see what I am dealing with.

The replies here have been very helpful. Mercedes are not always the easiest cars to restore when it comes to getting it right on a car that went though such changes in tech during its' run but the results are always worth it.

At least they are to me.

Tony H · #9 03-19-2015, 10:16 PM

You can just reach under the seat and feel-if it is hollow it most likely has the flat springs and if you feel a flat metal pan it has coil springs. I'm on the road or I could take some pictures of both. If you still need some by this weekend I can take some pics.

JPMOSE · #10 03-19-2015, 11:27 PM

I left you another post but this forum deleted it. There is a flat spring repair kit specifically for Mercedes with detailed instructions, available for around $40. Contact me in private and I will provide you the link. I understand we owe a debt of gratitude to Pelican Parts or this site wouldn't be available. However, my posting was a reference to a "unique" repair kit, from someone how has a lot of on-line repair videos for sale, along with parts. This is a stand alone item that no one else offers.