When I first got my car I noticed a bit of rattling out of the back seat when I'd hit even small bumps. I figured it's what's to be expected out of a car this age.
Recently I removed the rear seats to clean them and found that the bolts which hold the back cushion for the rear seat in place are missing (all of them).

Besides the rattling noise, that doesn't seem very safe to me. With only empty holes to go by, how would I figure out what the appropriate thread is? Is it likely to be worthwhile to try a home improvement store or should I just go to a Mercedes dealer?

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1982 240D automatic
Odometer quit at 307K...about 325K now

Metric phillips head screws. Should be able to get some at the hardware store.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I'd find a local junkyard with a 123 and snag them from there, then you don't have to worry about if they are the correct ones or not. I think there are only two.

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IIRC they take a 10mm wrench and are about 3/4" long. The top of the seat hooks over the parcel shelf so it will not fly off unless you take out the bottom cushion, I don't think.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

For the record:
The hole is 6mm. I purchased 6mm X 16mm "cap screw sockets" which use an allen wrench but are also easily removed by hand. A package of 2 (the number needed) cost 80 cents at Home Depot.

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1982 240D automatic
Odometer quit at 307K...about 325K now

And there 3 bolts (10mm heads) holding down the seat back. If you buy them at a hardware store, the 10mm head bolts will have metric thread.

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Don't Chrome them; polish them