The backrest of the passenger side rear seat on my sons 300TE is stuck in the upright position.
We cannot put it down to use the great versitility of the wagon. The seat cushion flips up just fine.
I investigated it as best I can and when you put your finger in the release catch hole on the base , you can feel a rod which runs up to the catch, that is loose, unlike the drivers side. The rod runs behind the trim up to the seat back catch and it has clearly come off one or both ends.
The obvious thing would be to take off the trim, but I cannot see how it comes off!
Any ideas?

__________________
2009 Mercedes ML320 Bluetec

I've often dreaded this situation (rod is disconnected to the HOOK). My best guess is to cut a slit or rectangular opening in the material starting at the upper HOOK towards where it meets the door. This should allow you to insert special tool #imadeit (heavy coat hanger) to pull - push - twist & shout and release the HOOK.

Bob
PS There are two pdf files (68-475 & 68-478) in the CD Repair Manual. This will show how to remove the panel on the other side, so you can see how the HOOK mechanism in the wheel well functions and catches the LOOP in the seat back. I can email them to you, if you need them.

Thanks Bob, I sent you an email.

__________________
2009 Mercedes ML320 Bluetec

I didn't get your email. Try again with "300TE" (no quotes) in the Subject. Sometimes my email filters prevent receipt of email I do want.

I converted CD manuals two files to jpg. Maybe you you can get them here.
Bo

Attached Thumbnails

   

On our 89 TE you have to pull the 'knob' that is pressed in when the door closes to fully release the seat - I'll bet that's what it it - look about halfway between the bottom and top of the door opening, towards the rear, and you'll see it -

HTH

Brian
89 300TE 265K parked with bad transmission
92 300TE 155K

Thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. Sorry I am a little fuzzy on how these work, but what I remember is that there is the cargo cover that attaches to I believe the wider of the 2 sides. If that side isn't flipped forward first, the other can't move. Try opening both doors and flipping the other side forward first. Hope this helps. Yes as the previous poster mentioned, there is a plunger in each door jamb that has to pop out to allow the backrest to move, maybe try pulling out on the plunger a bit and see if you can get it to release.
Gilly
(EDIT; actually no the side the cargo cover ISN'T attached to folds forward first, then the side with the cargo cover can be folded forward)

__________________
Click here to see the items I have up for auction at EBay

Click here to see a photo album of my '62 Sprite Project Moneypit (Now Sold)