Sorry, another seat repair question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Norgermish · #1 10-21-2009, 01:40 PM

I am working on my seats because they desperately need it.

I have read and think I understand all the posts about the noodles and fillings for the seat bottoms, but I haven't seen anything on the seat backs. Is the same basic procedure used for seat backs? There is as much horse hair snowing from the seat back as there is from the bottom. I have searched and not seen anything about seat back repair,...Well if anyone has some info about it let me know. I am now trying to remove a head rest that hasn't been moved in probably 31 years.
Thanks

Graplr · #2 10-21-2009, 01:52 PM

Most do nothing to the seat backs as they carry little weight compared to the bottoms. Usually the backs still have their original (or very close to) shape.

I have yet to see one where the back is worn (other than the leather/tex being torn/worn).

Norgermish · #3 10-21-2009, 03:23 PM

Thanks. I am worried that the seat spring will push through the material as it did on the drivers side. Most of the horse hair is gone and I can feel the springs when I sit in it. I guess just some foam padding will do the trick, but if I don't remove the hair it'll keep leaving piles on the foot area in the back. Been combing my area for some Palomino seats but to no avail. Not many of these W123's around this cowboy town.

Stevo · #4 10-21-2009, 06:23 PM

[QUOTE=Norgermish;2321210 Not many of these W123's around this cowboy town.

[/QUOTE]

Dont you mean "artichoke wranglers"

I have swapped seat backs as well as bottoms because its easier to find good passenger side seats. I bought a new back cushion for my blue "keeper", new seat cushions make you feel like your driving a "new" car.

Cr from Texas · #5 10-21-2009, 08:27 PM

It's pretty easy to remove the cover on the bottoms. The backs are a bit harder due to the headrest tube inserts. I did add a pool noodle to mine by removing the back panel. It seemed to give the side a bit more definition and helped hold the driver in place a little.

charmalu · #6 10-21-2009, 11:29 PM

Have you checked the Moss Landing PNP? there are W123 in there from time to time and some with fairly good seats,

To remove the headrest, I think you remove the seat back cover. under the bottom of it are 2 phillip screws. the back slides down and out. there should be a button to depress, and the headrest should pull out.

You might be able to feel the bump through the seat back, and push it in. I`ve had some that, that didn`t work and removed the back.

I think I need to check the inventory at PNP tomarrow

there are 2 PNP in San Jose also.

Charlie

ckamila · #7 10-22-2009, 12:24 AM

http://mercede$$ource.com/node/7109 - NEED to replace $$ with "ss" - link was stared-out.

I went this route on the 300SD. Had 4 broken springs on drivers side nearest door. The solution was fairly easy and straight forward - see the online DIY.

MUCH better than before!

Norgermish · #8 10-22-2009, 03:30 AM

Hey Stevo, the Artichoke Wranglers are a bit north, I'll have to make sure I got my twin cam six cylinder loaded up 'cuz i'll have ta pass through dem to git to the PNP at Moss Landing that Charlie mentioned. Sounds like a Spaghetti western movie...make that a Sauerkraut western since a Mercedes star is in it

. Hey Mr. Eastwood is just down the road a piece in Carmel. Maybe he could come along fer the ride and ride shotgun sittin' in a broken seat frame.

Well I stripped down the seat today anyway, now gotta figure out how to stuff the back. I haven't been up to the PNP at Moss Landing in a while, thought they moved all those yards. My brother is in San Jose he's gonna go look around for me before I drive the green tank up there.

Thanks for the help and also for the link ckamila

swheele2 · #9 10-22-2009, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Graplr

Most do nothing to the seat backs as they carry little weight compared to the bottoms. Usually the backs still have their original (or very close to) shape.

I have yet to see one where the back is worn (other than the leather/tex being torn/worn).

Really? You mean like this one?

It's difficult to tell from the first picture, but the seat is completely deformed and the springs are about to penetrate through the Tex. The horsehair is mostly gone. The wooden back had disintegrated (Tex has been removed so you can see).

Maybe you just mean that the springs don't wear out like the seat bottoms, which makes sense. The horsehair, etc. certainly does wear out on the backs and the bottoms though.

Graplr · #10 10-22-2009, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swheele2

Really? You mean like this one?

It's difficult to tell from the first picture, but the seat is completely deformed and the springs are about to penetrate through the Tex. The horsehair is mostly gone. The wooden back had disintegrated (Tex has been removed so you can see).

Maybe you just mean that the springs don't wear out like the seat bottoms, which makes sense. The horsehair, etc. certainly does wear out on the backs and the bottoms though.

That is exactly what I meant. As I stated, the Tex/leather does rip/tear but from what I have seen the springs usually (not always I'm sure, but I have never seen it) hold up in the seat backs.

rs899 · #11 10-22-2009, 01:22 PM

The earlier W123 backs used a different sort of "horsehair" that doesn't seem to hold up very well. The later ones all seem to be fine considering their age. My '77s seatbacks were both crumbly and metal was poking through the vinyl. I found some in upillit, but not in my color. Someday I will have to make a decision about what the final interior color will be (probably not the original doodoo brown) and vinyl dye it all.