W123 Seat repair with Pool Noodles PIC'S
 

You know, pool noodles, those long brightly colored foam things everyone is floating around the pool on.

There has been lots of discussion on this and in another thread someone asked for pic’s. I did the passenger side of my 240D this weekend, so I snapped a few shots along the way. Basically, just take the seat out in one piece and shove the noodles in. Time required: maybe two hours with little kids around. Degree of difficulty: Hey, I did it! Cost: $1.44 per noodle vs. $250 for new spring box!

1. Front bolt locations.
2. Remove plastic trim at rear.
3. Rear bolt location.
4. Extra bolt to side rail.
5. Removing the seat.
6. Looking at the springs.
7. Stuffing the noodles.
8. Almost done.

My springs were not broken; I was just adding needed additional support. Works great!

Clay

More pic's
 

The rest of the pic's. You will know you are done when your hands are tired. Wear gloves. The springs will only let you shove the noodle in so far, so it kind of evens itself out automatically, depending on the quality/tension of the spring in question.

Clay

ps. Great time to collect that spare change, dog hair, and general clean up :rolleyes:

pps. Almost forgot, you have to remove the side rail from the rear hump and slide it out of the seat belt thingy.

Clay,

Thanks for posting this, esp. with the pics. Need to do this soon myself and was wondering how they worked. :o

Keith

Awesome... how do they feel now?

They are like 1000% better
 

Look at this thread
[http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=117973&page=1&pp=15]
Basically my seats were all springy, though not all the way to the floor. The covers and pads seem to be in good condition. They are now very firm, which is good for me. Before the repair the drivers side was listing slightly toward the door and I think it still is. I'm going to give it another go next weekend and see if I can't shore up that side a bit more. Also going to do the rear, maybe green noodles next :P

Go for it, you will like it!

Clay

*edit* Approved by SWMBO! and you know how sensitive her little behind is :eek:

Clay,
I think I was the one asking for the pics, and man do I appreciate your time and effort to document that. Sooo much help for those of us that it helps to SEE things first. Your seat looks really clean too.
Thanks,
Jimmy

My pleasure
 

Git 'er done Jimmy.

Hey, I learned how to post pic's along the way!

Clay

WOW, that's awesome!
I'm going to try that.

Danny

Note from Deborah, ya' know Clay's SWMBO
 

Clay doesn't know I'm typing this, but I suppose he will see it, always checking his replies. Anyway, this noodle thing made a huge improvement in my bottom comfort, but let me tell you, I DID NOT COMPLAIN before the repair! SWEAR! :o :o

I wanted to add that finding noodles in March proved to be quite difficult, but I found some at Academy Sports for $1.47.

I do drive the C220 and really like it, especially around town - pulling in and out of parking spaces, etc. is a dream (GREAT STEREO!). BTW my other car is a 2000 Chevy Suburban which I absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE, but mostly on those big road trips with the VT and the kids - we have 2 darling daughters although I realize that this kind of stuff is why they DON'T want women posting. :rolleyes:

I do really enjoy reading the forum stuff and hope that you all continue to be witty and keep me reading!!! ;) ;) ;)

Thanks for reading my reply.
Deborah

Good info Deborah, as my SWMBO said they were $4.50 at Walmart. She would have no clue as to her "bottom comfort" in the wagon as she would not be caught dead in it! :grim:

Thanks Cgryphon!

I saw a couple of noodles in a store, remembered seeing this post, and was sick and tired of my broken spring seat bottom.

30 minutes after I got home I had two pool noodles stuffed in place and it is SO much better! Thanks for the post and the photos...made the job easy!

Chuck

Cant wait to try this --- anyone did this with electric seats? Any changes in the procedures that should be known up front :confused:

Yeah I am going to do this soon to my front seats (especially driver seat) sometime in the next month or so as well, as they are pretty low down when you sit...not really uncomfortable or anything, but they do sink. I have a sheepskin on it that makes it like sitting in a really comfy sofa/chair...:D Firmer would be nice though. I'm guessing the only additional steps with the electric seats will be to disconnect the wiring as well, plus this gives me an opportunity to fix the disconnected adjustment cables from the motors, which all work, but simply "spin" when I do some of the adjustments....do these have to be replaced? or is there a way to get them working again.....

"pool noodles"?? Huh, I saw a swiming pool once in a motel, here in the PNW pool noodles are in short supply :D

I did the pool noodle thing today
 

I put some in my drivers seat. One of the zig-zag springs along the left side busted. I cut the spring on the other side in the same place so everything would be equal side to side. I stuffed 2 noodles along each side which may be too much. The seat feels too hard. I'm going to remove one from each side see how that feels.

I'm headed out to Claremore, OK for a diesel get together with the MBZ.org group this week so I want to get the seat as comfortable has possible so I don't end up with saddle sores!! I'll post some pictures tomorrow night.

Unfortunately going to OK means missing the PA get together....what were the chances of both events happening on the same date!!