 |
Features
Tech (DIYs)
New Publication
123 Publication(s) posted.
BenzWorld Publications
This is where you will find how to's and relevant publications on Mercedes Benz vehicles posted by BenzWorld Staff and members.
All publications submitted will be reviewed by BenzWorld staff prior to public posting. We reserve the right to edit, modify or delete any publication we deem innappropriate.
Disclaimer
Readers are advised that all publications posted are for informational purposes only. No liability is assumed by either BenzWorld.org or the author for the use or interpretation of any and all information found in this section. | |
| BenzWorld's website
content, articles and publications are not endorsed or affiliated with Mercedes-Benz AG, Mercedes-Benz
USA, or Daimler Chrysler
No photos, articles, graphics, or BenzWorld.org logos may be
used or reproduced without written permission.
BenzWorld.org can be contacted at info@BenzWorld.org
All website content
Copyright ©
1999-2006
BenzWorld.org
Last Update:
November 24, 2003
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
| |  |
 3rd row seat installation information
[b]Disclaimer: This is posted for informational purposes only. No liability is assumed by either BenzWorld.org or myself for the use or interpretation of any part or all information here. I strongly recommend that you take your seats to MB dealership for the install since it involves seat belts and seats. THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY. I REPEAT! USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!. This information DOES NOT meet any safety standards and could be in fact wrong. Readers beware! I repeat...if you want a proper and safe install, take it back to MB dealership![/b]
"Installation for 98/99 ML Class"
Pictures of parts:
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/63950531022002104251PM.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/63950531022002104302PM.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/63950531022002104312PM.jpg[/img]
Depending on what kit and year of your ML, parts may vary a little bit.
REMOVING THE PANELS
To do this, you must take apart the side plastic panel. I took it out partially and was able to slide the bracket in. There are a few screws that need to be taken out. One on each side of the tonnel cover bar, all the shopping bag hooks on the sides, one screw in the cd changer panel and one screw in the first aid panel.
There is a long plastic panel on top of the rear glass (see pic below). Pull on each side and it will reveal a screw that holds the side panel. You do not need to take the whole piece out, just enough for you to get at the screw. This piece is held together by metal clippings. Pry it down gently with your hand to reveal this screw.
You must also take apart the whole plastic piece on the bottom as well. This is by removing the round plastic covers and unscrewing all the screws. This panel removes quite easily.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/63950539282002124411AM.jpg[/img]
TAKING APART THE REAR SEATBELT PANEL
The next piece is probably the toughest peice to get out. If you look to the far corner of the 3rd window on top of the panel, you will see a round plastic screw top. Pry this plastic screw out. I used a wrench/cloth and metal pick. Don't worry about wrecking it, if you bought the kit at MB, they give you 2 for the replacement. I actually ended up using my old ones because they were still in good shape. The pic show after I have taken out the panel but it should give you an ideal what you will be dealing with.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/63950539282002125628AM.jpg[/img]
Next gently take apart the top piece where you have to drill the seatbelt slots. The weather strip on the back latch can be peeled off partially to gain a better grip of the pannel. Keep note that the top panel snaps on the bottom piece so make sure you are aware of this as well. Look behind the connections of these two pieces. This will make separating it easier.
The picture shows the seat belt installed already. I had to back track with some pictures.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/6395053928200251724AM.jpg[/img]
CUTTING THE SEAT BELT HOLE
If you don't have "soft" hands, then don't do this! Whatever you do to this panel will SHOW UP so make sure you are careful or else you could end up buying another panel.
You could also opt to buy the factory pre-cut panels. I believe the part#s are: Left 163-692-03-03-7D42 D Pillar, 009-988-53-78-7D42 Clip, Right D Pillar panel 163-692-04-03-7D42 D Pillar, 009-988-53-78-7D42 Clip. MB only makes these cutouts if you have the 3rd rear pop-out windows. So if you don't have this option, there will be a bulge in the back of the panel to accomodate the window motor. (but it beats cutting it yourself!)
Anyway, I used a Dremel tool to cut the seat belt slot. Apply the supplied template and pencil in the cutout. Don't use a cutting knife because the plastic is too thick.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/6395053927200233731PM.jpg[/img]
INSTALLING THE SEAT BRACKET
Gently pry the side panel off until you can reach your hand to the wheel well. You do not have to pry the whole side panel out. Just about 6 inches or so. You will hear a pop noise behind the panel. Don't worry, this is just a white clip that pops out like the ones for the door. Make sure you pop them in back properly when you install back. The picture below already shows the bracket behind the panel. If anyone is curious, you could pop out the cd changer panel and locate one of the bolt holes. That's the easiest one to locate.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/6395053928200221459AM.jpg[/img]
The next step is the reach inside the BOTTOM PART panel and feel for the installaton factory cutouts. The cutouts look like the ones in the picture below. There should be 3 and is easily removed. See pic. BLUE dots represents the nuts you have to use and the GREEN represents the bolts. Guide the bracket into these locations and nut/bolt/screw/tighten into the approximate locations. Don't worry, it only goes in one way! The kit only comes with 6 nuts and 4 bolts. This should take care of that package!
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/63950539282002124349AM.jpg[/img]
Pop out he old covering of the seat bracket holes and pop in the supplied new ones. These slide up/down with the 3rd seats.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/6395053928200215018AM.jpg[/img]
BOLTING THE SEATBELTS
If you look at the seat belts, the "coil" part should go just below the window, around the power outlet (on the passenger side). It only goes in one way on each side so you can't screw this one up too. Then bolt the other clipping to the top as seen in the picture. All the mounting holes are already factory drilled. It's just a matter of locating the right ones.
Make sure your belt is "untangled". After securing the bolts, you can quickly test to see if they retract or stop by pulling on it with a quick yank.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/6395053928200215445AM.jpg[/img]
To secure the seatbelt anchors you have to drill a round hole into the carpet. Use the supplied cutout. Make sure you match the two smaller holes of the template with the tie down hook screws. Double check by poking into the carpet and feel for the hole with a metal pick. Cut to the size of the template hole. Remove the excess carpet.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/6395053928200215847AM.jpg[/img]
Bolt the seat belt anchors with the supplied spacers and then guide the seat belt through the cutout. Common sense should tell you how this should go. It's not that hard.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/6395053928200220238AM.jpg[/img]
INSTALLING THE PASSENGER HANDLES AND THE TOP SEAT CLIP
You could install the supplied 3rd row seat passenger handles but it involves cutting two extra slots in the headliner (I didn't). I believe there are holes behind the headliner after you have cut it but VERIFY this yourself by putting your fingers behind it.
I only swtiched the far clippings with the ones the 3rd row seats supplied because I want to be able to take everything else and sell it later on if I ever change cars. That way, it won't have a hole in the headliner when I do this, only a hole will be left for the seat belt cutout...which isn't too bad.
Use the supplied template (see pic) for the cutout if you wish to put the handle on.
This is the FINAL part of the installation process.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/6395053928200211058AM.jpg[/img]
PUT BACK EVERYTHING THE WAY YOU TOOK IT OUT!
[b]OF NOTE: TWO THINGS TO WATCH FOR WHEN PUTTING BACK THE SIDE PANELS:
1) there is a white plastic pop in clip (like the ones on the inside door) close to the SECOND row seat belt; make sure you align this properly on the car so it pops in correctly. A quick tap on the panel will pop the white clip back.
2) make sure your SECOND row seat belt "lateral movement" adjustment is working before you secure the panel back. Play around with it and make sure it is working. If it's not, you have to guide back the plastic tab and align it with the metal tab adjustment on the seatbelt.[/b]
That's probably the trickiest part of the install but I didn't have too much problem but I think it could be.
After you secure all your plastic panels back and make sure everything is working, the minivan covnersion should now be complete. Have a beer and relax and everyone should be a happy camper!
Notice I did not install the 3rd passenger handles, I only swapped the far clippings. Also, included with the 3rd row kit are two plastic "plugs" to cover up the old tonnel cover mountings. They go into these slots easily.
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/6395053928200241823PM.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/6395053928200241834PM.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/6395053928200241843PM.jpg[/img]
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/6395053928200243812AM.jpg[/img]
MODIFYING THE HEADREST HEIGHTS (if your seats came with restrictor tabs)
[b]Disclaimer: Of course, I don't recommend this and I'm sure MB put those stoppers there for a safety reason, but if you're going to do it...do it at your own risk!This is posted for informational purposes only. No liability is assumed by either BenzWorld.org or myself for the use or interpretation of any part or all information here. I strongly recommend that you take your seats to MB dealership for the install since it involves seat belts and seats. THIS IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSE ONLY. I REPEAT! USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!. This information DOES NOT meet any safety standards and could be in fact wrong. Readers beware! I repeat...if you want a proper and safe install, take it back to MB dealership![/b]
As you can see in the pics, there is actually a stopper on the plastic tube seat insert. I followed Silver430's suggestion and pulled it out with a cloth/wrench and with a bit of force..."pop" and out it comes. I then cut the ends so the headrest goes all the way to the bottom. Before this modification, the headrest would not go all the way to the bottom (safey reasons).
[img]http://www.benzworld.org/gallery/pics/6395053926200242921AM.jpg[/img]
| |
