W123 Seat Removal: #$&(*#!!

[mrdjsk]

My extremely modest mechanical abilities have been pushed to the brink yet again as I cannot figure out how to unbolt my driver's seat on my 1983 300D. I've searched the forums and it said I need to push the seat all the way back and undo the front two 10mm bolts (no problem)—then push the seat all the way forward, undo the little plastic covers on the end of each rail, then unbolt the rear two 10mm bolts.

Where are the rear bolts? I can't seem to comprehend how the seats are attached to the floor at the rear.

(Yes, I'm embarrassed to be asking this as I know some of you can do this with your eyes closed, one hand tied behind your back, and no tools at all.)



Thanks all.

[bgkast]

You have to scoot both the "sloping" front/rear adjustment (side lever) and the "level" front/rear adjustment (front lever) all the way forward to see the rear bolts. They are 10mm head bolts into the floor.

[kerry]

If it hasn't been used much, the 'up' or 'forward' position of the up/down mechanism needs to be encouraged to move by someone in the back seat pushing hard, perhaps with their feet, on the front seat.

[daw_two]

The seatbelt re-inforcing slide rod between the seat and center hump. You won't believe how many seats I've taken out and I still sometimes forget that thing.

[bgkast]

and the seat-belt warning plug on the driver's seat.

[mrdjsk]

Thanks. I don't quite understand how the level adjustment works. I think mine is jammed. Exactly how do you operate it on an old, possibly gummed-up seat?

[JimmyL]

I almost always have to have my wife come out and pull up on the side handle {slope/height} while I sit in the back seat and push the seat forward/up with my feet. Several occasions it has been impossible to do it just myself.......

[zeke]

and whatever you do, don't pull that lever again after the seat is out!!!! Wait until you have all 4 bolts back in otherwise you lose your alignment and it is hard to get the holes realigned.

[JackG]

Originally Posted by mrdjsk

Thanks. I don't quite understand how the level adjustment works. I think mine is jammed. Exactly how do you operate it on an old, possibly gummed-up seat?

Think of it as a wedge that the seat slides on....as the seat
slides along the wedge, it will rise or fall.
As for operating it on an old seat, I get it the back seat, put my
knees on the floor, the tops of my feet on the back seat,
my left shoulder into the back of the front seat. I reach forward
with my right hand and grab that lever between the seat and
the hump, lift and push like hell with my shoulder.

It ain't pretty, but it works for me

[daw_two]

I guess I've been lucky with w123 seats. I've always managed to be able to pull up on the height adjustment lever and move it ....when sitting in the seat. I never could get the right leverage on the handle if not sitting in the seat.

[ImBroke]

When you get it out, that would be a great time to lube the sliding mechanisms.

[mrdjsk]

Originally Posted by JimmyL

I almost always have to have my wife come out and pull up on the side handle.......

Okay, so I took your advice and got married this afternoon. Then my wife helped me adjust the seat and it worked perfectly.



On a serious note, the thing did budge after a few very Neanderthal tries. Thank you all for your advice. And, of course, thanks to the Mrs.... yours and mine both for their help.

[chetwesley]

I am sorry, but as a side note, but related to this to this, how in the world does that height adjustment work? I can't seem to get it to do anything. I had a 300TD before and never knew what it was for. When I pull on it in my new 240d, it doesn't seem to do anything. I tried rocking back and forth in the seat, etc, but it doesn't seem to go anywhere.

[coonerboy]

Originally Posted by chetwesley

I am sorry, but as a side note, but related to this to this, how in the world does that height adjustment work? I can't seem to get it to do anything. I had a 300TD before and never knew what it was for. When I pull on it in my new 240d, it doesn't seem to do anything. I tried rocking back and forth in the seat, etc, but it doesn't seem to go anywhere.

Posts #3 & #7 are the answer

[MBeige]

Once the seats are out I highly suggest you lube the rails generously as well as the biting "teeth" for the fore/aft and height adjustment levers. I can easily adjust mine anytime now after I did foam install (to replace the horsehair that was crumbling) on mine from another W123 that had foam pad instead. Two years and so far, so good...