What is this elastic cable

[rgafitanu@gmail.com]

What is item 288 called "Elastic Cable to Retain Cover Rails in EPC? How is it attached to the seat? Anybody with a W111 or 112 has a picture?

Thank you,
Radu

[hkollan]

Hi,

It is basically what it says, a white rubber band (item #288) with a hook attached at each end.
The idea is to make the cover rail (item #286) slide forward and back again on the seat frame when the seat is moved forward and back. The rubber band will retract the cover when the seat is moved back, preventing it from protruding in the footwell.
Doesn’t work too well from my experience.
The rubber will only last for so long due to age, and eventually break.

Hans K

[rgafitanu@gmail.com]

Thank you Hans. I am missing both of them and the right one is always coming out due to my wife and daughter always moving the seat back and forth (the nerve).

[wwheeler]

Hi Radu,

I went through this not too long ago. I believe I actually bought this from the Classic center. It came with a hook at each end. Hans is right, they didn't last long because the rubber band oxidized, like all rubber bands do, and fell apart. Then the clips laid on the carpet until they were sucked up by the vacuum cleaner. 

If you don't have the clips, the Classic center MAY have them. If not, they are easy to make. I researched and found UV resistant rubber bands but were black and not the white as original. So what, at least the will last much longer.

If you can't find them, I'll see what I can dig up.

Wallace

[rgafitanu@gmail.com]

Thanks Wallace,
Do you have any idea how long they are in the non extended state? I would look for something like short bungee cords.

[wwheeler]

I do know and let me see what I can find and take some pics.

[wwheeler]

First of all, the part number when I bought them was #111 910 50 69. Came with two metal hooks and an elastic band. Probably had been made 20 years ago as the band broke a month after install.

It is attached to the lower seat rail and more specifically a little hole on the outer side of the vertical post. This post bolts to the floor. You can see it in the picture you posted and the hole is in #182. The other end attaches to a hole on the chrome cover.

Now what about #304? Do you know about that? I discovered that when I got into the elastic strap. They are covers for the seat track. I believe the W111 are covered in leather and the W108 are either plastic or covered in MBtex. They are made of unobtainium. I found a pair from a W108 (Plastic ones) and adapted them to my W111. The W108 seat rails are a bit different. See picture. One day I will cover them and install. 

I will posts some pics of the strap tomorrow as I have run out of time today.

[wwheeler]

Here is the #288 modified part. Works like a champ for me. I used a black UV resistant rubber band but cannot find the size I ordered for it. There are standard sizes for these bands and I kind of remember the size I was looking for was in the middle. So I got the larger size and just had more loops around the hooks. The OAL is about 7-1/4" inches including the hooks. The OAL is NOT critical so you should be good. I am happy to share my knowledge on this very obscure part!

BTW, I was wrong in that the attachments are made on the inner side, not the outer side of the rails.

Good luck!   

[rgafitanu@gmail.com]

Wallace, I did not know about #304.
Now I can see it in EPC as being present on my model. They appear to cover the vertical leg of the rails. They probably come out very easy and they get lost, that's why we didn't have them.

[wwheeler]

Precisely why they are all missing. It really dresses it up a lot believe it or not because you can see those rails from the back seat. These cars were the ultimate and having something like the seat rail exposed just didn't happen.

I suppose if I were to get it to fit correctly, I could make a pattern for the group.

[wwheeler]

Yes this is an ancient post, but I finally found the rubber band size for this. You want a UV resistant black #117a or #117B trade size rubber band. https://www.amazon.com/Alliance-Rubber-02005-Non-Latex-X-treme/dp/B00125SF40?th=1

The original white band fails quickly because it is latex and not UV resistant EPDM.

Wallace

[rgafitanu]

Thank you, I will get some of this rubber.

[JedinDetroit]

I tried to order these last month from the classic center.  NLA

I will order the bands off amazon and make something up for the hooks.  I suppose a small "s" clip will work

thanks for the tips guys!

Jed

[wwheeler]

You wouldn't want to buy these NOS unless it is just for the clips. The elastic won't last long. The clips fit in narrow oval slots and should be easy to fashion something to work.

It is hard to find UV resistant rubber bands and not sure why. Most of us have had plenty of experience with latex rubber bands breaking or turning to goo.