upholstery question

[WANT '71 280SEL]

I was disassembling the rear seat back out of the junkyard 500SEL and have some questions. I originally was wanting to eliminate the horsehair pads all together but how could that be done with those wires that run through it? The seat cover has little plastic clips that clip onto the wire holding it down in the middle of the cover. Am I suppose to somehow run a similar wire through the new padding? If I kept the horsehair pads I thought I would put some additional new padding on top of it between the cover and the horsehair, but once again, those wires would be the hold up. Could someone chime in who has had a rear seat apart?

Thanks
David

[leathermang]

Did you try a search ? Several people have done full refurbishing of their seats and posted pictures... looked like they did really nice jobs....

[jbaj007]

Oddly enough, I had TWO rear seats apart yesterday. One pre-89 leather and one 81-84 MB Tex styles.

One, yet to be determined, is hitting the trash soon. If you were closer I'd give it to you.

Due to the separation between the front and rear "mattress" springs, I can't imagine how you would cover it without using the horshair pad. You need the strength for the distance between springs and the contour. The white clips would be a challenge,also, without the factory pad. Looks like a lot of work.

I've ordered a new upholstery kit http://www.galaxymall.com/auto/mercedes/products.html and am recovering the best one when it arrives. I may have to modify the leather model pad for the MB Tex fabric. They have glue-on foam and the clip holes to make them different. Since I prefer a firm seat, pool noodles are going in, also.

[WANT '71 280SEL]

I'll be putting in pool noodles. I plan to keep the factory pad, however, with those clips, doesn't it make it rather difficult to put a pad between the MB pad and the cover? I think one of the wires came out of the horsehair so I'll have to somehow get it back in and find someway to get it all together. Regarding the search, I did do a thorough search. However, no one really talks about the clips which I am speaking about.

Thanks
David

[jbaj007]

If you are talking about these clips that hold the upholstery wires (stays) that go thru the horsehair, I've got spares. Just email me and I'll send them off.

[WANT '71 280SEL]

jbaj, I don't recognize those clips? I was speaking about the clip that go from the seat cover to wires in the horsehair. The wires going through the horsehair were really just pushed from one end to the other. They were held by the pad, those clips weren't anywhere to be found.

Thanks
David

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by WANT '71 280SEL

jbaj, I don't recognize those clips? I was speaking about the clip that go from the seat cover to wires in the horsehair. The wires going through the horsehair were really just pushed from one end to the other. They were held by the pad, those clips weren't anywhere to be found.

I know the clips that you speak of. I think that the "clips" are actually wires themselves. They keep the horsehair pad attached to the main wire on the frame.

When I took this one apart, I had no clue how to remove those "clips". Seems lke a special tool is required because they have to pass completely through the horsehair pad and grab the main wire, with some tension.

This wire runs right along the inside of the bolsters. So, I added some foam inside the bolsters. However, this is not the best solution because it now renders the bolsters ineffective. If I do it again, I'd like to properly replace the horsehair pad. But, which tool to use to remove those "clips".

[WANT '71 280SEL]

The clips are somewhat easily removed from the back of the horse hair pad. I got them off, I just don't know how to get them back on very easily especially considering that the wire was pulled out of the HH pad. Maybe I can use my HH pad that's in the car. I think it was the back rear cushion that has the clips I'm speaking of. Some time this week I'll have to dis-assemble the rear lower seat.

Thanks
David