Author Topic: My horribly uncomfortable seats....  (Read 4342 times)

scoot

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Altadena
  • Posts: 2355
My horribly uncomfortable seats....
« on: April 14, 2014, 02:44:19 »
Now that my 67 250SL is officially a driver again, I discovered that I actually DO like the car a great deal and that my biggest objection is the horribly uncomfortable seats.  No support in the springs or pads or anything.  Like sitting on a pile of wires.   I realize that the proper solution can be obtained from MB or GAAH or a variety of things, but I also don't want to spend a lot of money. 

As a side note, I happen to have a 63 220S sedan and a 1960 220S parts sedan.  Both have really comfortable support seats.   I'm wondering if I can take the springs and pads out of a 111 sedan seat and use them in a 113 seat.  Any thoughts?

thanks
Scott
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

hkollan

  • Associate Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • Spain, Castilla-La Mancha
  • Posts: 519
Re: My horribly uncomfortable seats....
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2014, 07:32:26 »
Scott,

I suspect that will not work too well even with modifications. You probably have one or more broken springs in addition to a worn dried out
rubberized fiber padding. The springs in the bottom are Nosag or zigzag springs and can be replaced.  They are around 4mm strenght and available on ebay. The last seat I did had 3(about half) of the Nosag springs broken, and the comfort was just as you described, horrible.

Hans
Hans K, Cuenca, Spain
1968 280 SL 387 Blue met., parchment leather
1971 280 SL 462 Beige met, Brown leather
1968 280 SL 180 Silver, Red leather
1964 300 SE Lang 040 Black w/Red leather
1985 500 SL 735 Astral Silver w/Black leather
1987 560 SEC 199 Black met., Black leather

Cees Klumper

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Fallbrook
  • Posts: 5719
    • http://SL113.org
Re: My horribly uncomfortable seats....
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2014, 09:53:26 »
Less advanced advice may be to search for 'pool noodles' on the site. Owners have reported having achieved good results with inserting sections of these things to increase support. But Hans' tip sounds much more professional!
Cees Klumper
1969 Mercedes 280 SL automatic
1968 Ford Mustang 302 V8
1961 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Coupe 1600
1962 FIAT 1500S OSCA convertible
1972 Lancia Fulvia Coupe 1.3
1983 Porsche 944 2.5
1990 Ford Bronco II

scoot

  • Full Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • USA, CA, Altadena
  • Posts: 2355
Re: My horribly uncomfortable seats....
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2014, 16:11:17 »
The place where it is really bad is the very back of the seat bottom.  Looking at the spring diagram in EPC it looks like there is little to nothing there in the way of springs, so I wonder if it lacks foam.  The front of the seat bottom has lots of spring.  Does that mean I don't have broken springs?
Scott Allen
'67 250 SL (early)
Altadena, California

billhon

  • Guest
Re: My horribly uncomfortable seats....
« Reply #4 on: April 22, 2014, 20:44:02 »
I have exactly the same problem as you with my drivers side seat. If there are no springs in the rear of the seat then what do we do? I have a 280sl with 139,000 miles.

Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

  • Associate Member
  • Platinum
  • ******
  • Canada, ON, London
  • Posts: 3683
    • Best Pagoda Site second to none!
Re: My horribly uncomfortable seats....
« Reply #5 on: April 22, 2014, 21:24:53 »
The previous owner of my car told me that one of he changes he made was to have his driver side seat redone, he said it was too low and used.

I recommend to compare the passenger seat to the driver sat and if there is a significant difference between the two then a makeover of the Sri
Ver side seat is prober,y in order. Just my 2 cents

My driver seat is very comfy :) the longest trip I took last year was 1600 miles (round trip) and I was thinking then how comfy the seat is.
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

awolff280sl

  • Full Member
  • Gold
  • *****
  • USA, FL, Sarasota
  • Posts: 610
Re: My horribly uncomfortable seats....
« Reply #6 on: April 22, 2014, 21:33:16 »
I have been following this thread for ideas. Despite redoing my springs and padding, the seats are just not comfortable enough during longer rides, especially if you've been spoiled by more modern designs.
As a temp fix, which works well enough for comfort for me and my wife, are these:
http://www.tushcush.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=Tush&Screen=PROD&Category_Code=TushCush&Product_Code=ExtendedTushCush
Andy   Sarasota, FL
'69 280SL 4speed
'06 Mitsubishi Evo