Hello!

Practically since I got the car, I noticed that, even with the driver's seat locked in place, it can move just a bit. The annoying part is that it feels like one rail's unlocked, while the other rail is locked properly. As far as I can tell, everything's tightened down properly, and I didn't see an actual locking mechanism on one of the rails (I think the inner, but my memory escapes me and the car's not here right now).

How can I make this better? BTW, the rails and surrounding moving parts could probably use a good cleaning and coat of grease...

Thanks in advance!

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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

Objection your honor - asked and answered

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

Why would dirty rails and lack of grease make the seat move? Actually, it seems to me that if the rails were happy in that aspect, it would be moving even more...

Am I wrong on that?

Both rails should lock, but it is a very complicated Rube Goldberg sort of thing down there, so something may not be right. Best thing to do is take the whole thing apart and you'll figure it out. All it takes to remove the seat is removal of the 4 10mm bolts holding the frame to the floor and unplugging the seatbelt monitor. After that, the frame comes apart with Philips head screws.

Oh, with your bad back, you may want to have a helper lift the seat out. It's heavy and awkward, and you have to slide it off the seatbelt rail.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

It wouldn't, but it will make the mechanisms that lock it into place ("surrounding moving parts") not move and thus cause your problem. If you take it out as Rick suggested and/or clean it up under there you will probably find and solve your problem.

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

I pulled the front seats from my 78 300D and replaced them a few months ago. The seats would no longer slide. I looked them over and got a spray bottle of cleaner out and got them to function again right away.
That was just for my own benefit. The seats were shot at best. But I did use the cleaner to thoroughly de-gunk the replacements, then applied some white lithium grease on the rails. Nice to get them working right.

Thank you everyone!

Rick, you make a good point. Thanks for reminding me that those seats aren't light.

I might actually wait on this, because the seats really need a complete rebuild anyways. I have to replace the driver's side spring setup (there are currently tennis balls working instead of the springs), the horsehair, and the leather covers. Ideally, I want to get foam replacement cushions and cloth covers, but I'm guessing that that's a pretty slim chance...

Again, thanks