W123 Upholstery Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tobybul · #1 08-13-2007, 01:27 PM

would like to replace padding of the front seats of my 300D. Covers are in great shape but padding a little iffy...

Has any one ever tried removing the seat covering? An upholsterer who looked at it said it should be pretty easy since its just a pressure fit all around the edge... any thoughts/experience on this?

I'll take pics when I do it and post the work...

kerry · #2 08-13-2007, 01:30 PM

I think there are a number of threads on this topic. I believe people replace the horsehair with foam. Not a big job.

JackG · #3 08-13-2007, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

would like to replace padding of the front seats of my 300D. Covers are in great shape but padding a little iffy...

Has any one ever tried removing the seat covering? An upholsterer who looked at it said it should be pretty easy since its just a pressure fit all around the edge... any thoughts/experience on this?

I'll take pics when I do it and post the work...

Yes, I have done this several times.
shortversion

remove seats

remove back( 2 bolts on each side of seat) you will have to remove wire to seat bottom....self expanitory

flip seat upside down and put pressure on spring to give some play in material

pull material out of the groove all the way around the seat.

your padding is most likely wired on the springs. I cut this wire and remove padding. When installing new padding, I just wire tie it

. it works for me.

reverse order to put material back on, attach back, and install.

my first one took about 45 min round trip

MBeige · #4 08-13-2007, 03:23 PM

Don't bother getting new horsehair pads for $80, you can get cheap used foam pads for much less.

Unless you have the money of course

tobybul · #5 08-13-2007, 03:55 PM

Thanks. this is really helpful.. I've actually removed the seat. Brought it to an upholstery fabric store and was advised to add "deck pad" under horsehair (sisal) pad and foam over top pad and re-cover. Said to keep sisal pad in-place.

Haven't pulled cover off yet. Wasn't sure how to but store said same thing - push down on top and slide" out edges. Not sure what this means but I'll just have to figure it out i guess.

They sold me 3/4" thick foam and deck pad enough to do 2 seats.

Sping broke in 2 places and am having it welded first....

JackG · #6 08-13-2007, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

Haven't pulled cover off yet. Wasn't sure how to but store said same thing - push down on top and slide" out edges. Not sure what this means but I'll just have to figure it out i guess.

It will be self expainatory when you get started

tangofox007 · #7 08-13-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tobybul

Haven't pulled cover off yet. Wasn't sure how to but store said same thing - push down on top and slide" out edges. Not sure what this means but I'll just have to figure it out i guess.

You might need to open up (pry) the retainer strips a bit before removing the cover edges. A stiff putty knife works well. Then hammer them back down after the cover is installed; otherwise the cover will not stay in place when the srpings are compressed during use.

bgkast · #8 08-13-2007, 08:58 PM

My only experience was removing a cover from a rusted set of seat springs. Maybe it was the rust, but I could not get the cover out of the grove and ended up ripping the cover.

tangofox007 · #9 08-13-2007, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bgkast

I could not get the cover out of the grove and ended up ripping the cover.

That's why it's a good idea to pry the groove open a bit.

bgkast · #10 08-13-2007, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tangofox007

That's why it's a good idea to pry the groove open a bit.

I did. The cardboard or whatever it is that makes up the edge of the cover seemed to have swolen and bonded to the rusty metal.

tobybul · #11 08-13-2007, 09:58 PM

Heres what I've done so far....
seat removed from car...

Bottom of seat - note broken spring

Cover being removed

Pad removed

Seat without pad

Foam saped and adhered to top of pad

Bottom of pad with felt inserted. This will be in contact with springs

felt & foam materials I got from an upholstery supplier

I sprayed 3m adhesive spray on the horsehair just to help keep it together. The horsehair is in good condition overall. I sandwiched it between the foam and the felt liner. I like this idea better than the DIY link below. I also used the 3m adhesive to adhere the foam and felt on to the old horse hair... So far, everything is sticking together pretty good.

Also, I am bringing the seat to a specialty welder tomorrow to repair the 2 broken springs. He scoped it out today and he said it can be done. He said the welding might degrade the spring steel a bit but no telling how long it will hold up. By tomorrow night I should have the project done.

biobenz240d · #12 08-13-2007, 10:07 PM

http://www.peachparts.com/Wikka/W123SeatRepair?show_comments=1#comments
check out this link for the pool noodle fix for the seats . I have done this on 2 of my mbs. They turned out great and very comfortable.