what is the procedure for reinstalling a 380sl seat?

[pchmalibu]

I recovered the seats in an '85 sl but that spring loaded height adjustment is giving me problems. Do I bolt in the spring assembly first and then somehow lower the seat onto it? I am really lost here so any help is appreciated.

[Strife]

Actually, I'm in the middle of doing this myself.

Firstly, you should NEVER have to even remove the seat height adjuster. I did this the first time by accident, and it was very challenging to get the very powerful spring in the center of the frame connected while reinstalling it. I actually used a bottle jack to do it.

So, FIRST, you screw down the seat height adjuster, and then you lay the seat on top of and behind this frame. There are two pins on the seat adjuster that slots on the seat rails fit into. Then, you push forward and it falls into place.

It's REALLY important that both seat rails are exactly the same distance forward when installing the seat (all the way forward is best in my opinion).

[Gilly]

Strife, are you still at the point that you could post a few pics? I tryed researching this (I've done it but been awhile), and there is just really lousy info on this. Would be great to the 107 community if someone had pics up. So why not Mercedesshop?
Gilly

[Strife]

Originally Posted by Gilly

Strife, are you still at the point that you could post a few pics? I tryed researching this (I've done it but been awhile), and there is just really lousy info on this. Would be great to the 107 community if someone had pics up. So why not Mercedesshop?
Gilly

I will try, right now I am recovering (so to speak) from removing the screws on the sides of the seat backs. I'm 6 for 8 on the screws on set of seats. The other two were @#$@#$. The good news is, I was prepared for this and I bought new screws from the dealer ahead of time.

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by Strife

I will try, right now I am recovering (so to speak) from removing the screws on the sides of the seat backs. I'm 6 for 8 on the screws on set of seats. The other two were @#$@#$. The good news is, I was prepared for this and I bought new screws from the dealer ahead of time.

Been there done that. Definitely need new screws here. I used a KD impact driver to remove them.

[pchmalibu]

Thank you very much. I sorta thought it went that way but I could not get the rails to fit in easily. I used the jack from my wagon to stretch out the spring and attach it.

[donbryce]

Not sure if the seat is the same as the 560SL, but check this thread, about 3/4 way down, I posted a picture of a simple homemade spring tool I made, from the service manual instructions, with some adaptations for the material on hand. My 2 fingernails are just now becoming normal again after getting them mashed by the return spring rachet mechanism, last May. Be careful in there!
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=222141&highlight=seat

[dugald]

I removed those big springs altogether because the seat kept popping up to its highest point when I got out. Now, it stays at its lowest, just where it suits me.
Crude fix I know, but effective.

[SL Lover]

I had removed both seats at one time and was successfully able to put the springs back into place. First, what I did was place the spring into the car frame, then I place the 'car jack' in between the car frame and the rod that the spring is attached to. I then slowly jack the car jack until the spring/rod is stretched and positioned the rod to where the mounting holes are at. Then, once the rod/spring is where it needs to be, I carefully tighten the bolts onto the rod/car frame. Is that clear as mudd?

As you jack the car jack, be very careful that the stretched spring does NOT slip and cause any major injury...!