[nobby]

The up and down adjustment of the seat is achieved by pushing on the lever on the outboard side of the seat. Pushing this lever releases the two locking tabs on either side of the mechanism which allows it to rotate. Each tab is held in place by a small spring. If either spring is missing the seat will not stay locked in position. I found my mechanisms all gummed up with years of dirt, grease etc. Just cleaning them helped and I have ordered new springs.
I left everything in the car and cleaned/repaired in place as I couldn't find an easy method or reason of
removing the big ass spring that assists the upward motion of the adjustment. Attached are two lousy pictures. Just to confuse the issue, the mechanism springs have been removed. Sorry, my camera is outta town with my wife. If anyone is interested, I will update the pictures with springs attached.

 

[strife2]

When I didn't know what I was doing, I inadvertently removed the frame mount screws along with my seat. Getting the spring back in and tensioned was quite exciting and dangerous, involving a block of wood and a small bottle jack fully extended. That spring is pretty powerful!

 

[daveward]

So...Strife2...assuming there is another 107 owner who "inadvertently" made the same mistake you so graciously admitted to...in my case I inadvertently didn't pay any real attention to the removal steps because I was planning the installation of a narrower seat, so the new seat would travel backwards farther and give me more leg room/headroom...and then the wife said, not so fast...and now the seat has to go back in.

Anyway, I see a picture here of the monster spring stretched tautly...can I assume that's the first step (getting it to that position with the block of wood, a bottle jack, and a bit of luck...? After that the seat assembly itself is introduced? Is this the best step by step? Thanks.

 

[nobby]

The position of the big spring in the picture is in the position with the LEAST amount of tension.
Be careful.

 

[nobby]

Lets try this again

 

[tonylinc]

So...the direction you push the lever, to adjust seat height, is backwards? I tried moving mine left/right, it seems to be stuck, after a few tries I quit but now you have me interested again as I'd like to raise the seat an inch or two.[]

 

[nobby]

tonylinc, you would want to push the lever (handle)
forward, or actually, down. This releases the two locking tabs and allows the seat to travel up or down.( the back part of the seat)
If your spring(s) are missing you will have trouble.

 

[nobby]

Ok everyone, my seats are now re-installed and I can tell you for sure that my seats never worked properly before. New springs installed, mechanism cleaned and lubed, seat installed, Pulling up on the lever should rachet you UP one position per pull to a max of 5 positions. Push down (fwd) should release the mechanism to let the seat go to its bottom most position (back and down). Pull up a couple of times and up you go again.
I took my seats apart, cleaned, lubed, adjusted and shimed and they are like new. I wish I could aford to re-upholster them this year.

 

[mb-maniac]

Hi, What colour interior is that?

I had the very same in a 1976 W123 200.

Although the exterior did not match ... Sahara Yellow...ouch

Good day sir

 

[nobby]

The interior is green. I am now in the process of replacing the carpets with a beige colour. The contrast should be nice as an all green interior, while not as ghastly as some, is still tooo much.

 

[ct560]

knobby:
appreciated the tutorial. I got my seat set right as a result, even before reading the owner's manual (which I jsut did and has similar instructions, moot now!).
Also 'seeing' the pics of the mechanism is much more instructive than reading anything for me.
Thanks.

 

[STinTX]

I just purchased an '87 560SL with all of the seat fasteners missing (the seats had been removed and reupholstered)...I've been able to source nearly all of the fasteners (and the rear mounting brackets) but cannot find the two bolts on the spring end of the rotating mechanism shown in the second picture above - it's part number A 107 990 03 01. I'd really appreciate it if anyone can recommend where to get two of those, or their specifications/dimensions. The local dealer suggested trial and error at an auto parts store, but the tension on that spring makes me concerned about getting the right part...thanks for the help.

 

[miko1aj]

The part appears to be available from MB, why don't you get it from your local stealership or online?

 

[STinTX]

Thank you for the quick response...more information - earlier this week I ordered two from MBOnlineParts - they emailed me the next day saying it was no longer available and cancelled the order. I also called a nearby MB dealer (Grapevine, TX) who told me it was no longer available. Should I call another dealer? Order it from Europe? The dealer I called is ordering other parts for me, including some coming from Germany.

 

[rowdie]

It appears to be R107 specific so you may have to look for used. Any Pic-N-Pulls in your area?

 

[miko1aj]

Interesting, the part shows up as available in the MB Parts Catalogue which usually is fairly up to date meta_title

At any rate, if you get consistent feedback from vendors and dealers that the part is NLA than breakers is the only option.

 

[BayAreaBenz85]

Reviving this thread a bit to see if anyone can see (besides just cleaning the filthy mechanism) what I need to do to get the lift to work on my passenger seat. It looks fine and because I only see photos and not any videos I’m not sure which part is broken here.

if there’s a better way to insert a youtube video than just pasting the link let me know, i’ll edit this. (edit: oh sweet it was smart enough to embed the video)

 

[nobby]

The ratchet only works to bring you UP.

If you want to go DOWN...your ass needs to be in the seat...it's your weight and gravity that gets it to go down.....while pushing on the handle.

 

[BayAreaBenz85]

yeah I understand how it should work when it’s all buttoned up, my driver seat works perfect, but I kind of expected to find a spring popped off or something obvious but I just can’t see what’s failing here. When weight is on the seat for this one nothing happens up or down.

 

[Aussiemerc]

yeah I understand how it should work when it’s all buttoned up, my driver seat works perfect, but I kind of expected to find a spring popped off or something obvious but I just can’t see what’s failing here. When weight is on the seat for this one nothing happens up or down.

Mine never held any position I set but I didn't need it higher so I removed the whole mechanism. It was always in the way when removing the seats anyway.
I had to insert a thin piece of metal at he rear ( in the slot) to stop the seat bouncing !