108 Retractable seat belts - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Litton · #1 04-25-2004, 11:09 AM

I was looking at a '73 280SEL the other day and noticed that it had retractable seat belts front an rear. Got to be a big improvement of the Kongols that nobody seems to know how to attach.

I am wondering if MB introduced them in '73 and then carried them forward in years to the 450 line. The mounting points seem identical to the '72 108 so I have some hope that I can go to a yard and find some from a 450 chassis or? and have then bolt right in.

Has anyone done this? Successfully?

psfred · #2 04-25-2004, 06:23 PM

Retractable lap belts on W108s and W109s are pretty common. However, the W116 had a threepoint retractable, and you will be missing a mounting point on the W108 -- the retractable end was behind the seat, both cutting into the rear foot room and very inconvenient for replacement with the three-point. MB sold a conversion kit, but if you would still find it it would be prohibitively expensive, I suspect.

You can try, but I suspect you will need to make a mount point for the non-retracting end -- the W116 as a fixed outer anchor for the lap belt and a roller on the outer shoulder belt side, at the base of the door pillar. No room in the 280 for the roller there.

Peter

Tomguy · #3 04-25-2004, 07:01 PM

The rear belts on the 108 are supposed to be retractable but I only have 1 spring so, instead of only having 1 belt retract, I leave them all dangling.

I wonder if it'd be possible to use this on the fronts somewhere too

Litton · #4 04-25-2004, 10:18 PM

Were the retractable available as an option in all years of the 108 or just in the 109 and 4.5's.

I do remember that the '73 only had a lower retactor and it bolted to the same place as the Kongols. I think the top had a differant hanger tough. I would settle for that.