Driver seat adjustment

[Charles 230SL]

Since I’ve owned my car I’ve always thought the driver’s seat backrest leaned back too far - even with the backrest adjusted to the full-forward position (adjustment knob turned fully counter-clockwise).

Bud’s Benz reupholstered my seats so I’ve never had any reason to disassemble them or get familiar with the backrest adjustment mechanism. I'm not sure anything can be done to get the backrest to adjust forward any more than it already does, but I’ve decided to remove the driver seat and give it a try. Anyone encountered this problem? thanks, Charles

[Peter van Es]

Yes... I have. The bar that connects to mechanism at the inner side of the chair may not be connected to the ratchet mechanism properly. That causes the seat rest to move further back than you like. I have that problem too...

Under the Chrome Cover: make sure the white plastic clip that holds the cover is in place. Also, verify that the spring holding the three adjuster teeth against the sprocket tab is in place. The plastic clip and the spring are missing on some cars.

[mrfatboy]

Here are a couple of pictures. Make sure both sides are in toothed gear correctly.

These are pictures of a 280sl seat. Might be some differences on 230sl🤷‍♂️

[66andBlue]

Since I’ve owned my car I’ve always thought the driver’s seat backrest leaned back too far - even with the backrest adjusted to the full-forward position (adjustment knob turned fully counter-clockwise).
Bud’s Benz reupholstered my seats so I’ve never had any reason to disassemble them or get familiar with the backrest adjustment mechanism. I'm not sure anything can be done to get the backrest to adjust forward any more than it already does, but I’ve decided to remove the driver seat and give it a try. Anyone encountered this problem? thanks, Charles

If your car has the internal nylon strap mechanism then most likely the Bud's people didn't wind it up correctly. It takes a bit of time to get it right. See:
https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=28911.msg209208#msg209208

[Charles 230SL]

thanks for the quick responses gentlemen. I'll investigate and let the group know what I found. respectfully,, charles 

[114015]

Charles...,
You have got a pretty early 230 SL, don't you? 1964 you said...
Why does your car then have 'late 230 or 280 SL seats'
(thick backrest, seat incline mechanism after # 012467 with other chrome plates and adjustment wheel)...? Replaced?

Fine so far ..., just wondering ....
 

Achim

[Charles 230SL]

Charles...,You have got a pretty early 230 SL, don't you? 1964 you said...Why does your car then have 'late 230 or 280 SL seats'
(thick backrest, seat incline mechanism after # 012467 with other chrome plates and adjustment wheel)...? Replaced?
Fine so far ..., just wondering ....
 Achim

hello Achim, yes, I've got #003548 which should have the early type seats. Unfortunately, long before I bought the car a previous owner replaced the original SL seats with Recaros . When Bud's restored/trimmed my interior they also upholstered and installed a pair of SL seats they had in their stock. Based on your message, sounds like these seats came from a later 230SL (after #12467) so I assume they'll have the gear/toothed rack mechanism.  thanks, charles

[Charles 230SL]

I removed and disassembled my driver's seat, and confirmed that the gears on each side of the reclining lever were correctly meshed with the adjustment shaft (pics below). The seat spring core, backrest frame, and all hardware are in great shape. The only thing I found amiss was one of the rubber rings around the adjustment shaft had worked it’s way out of the channel on the seat frame. This particular rubber ring is circled in a picture I found on this forum (complements of Achim) and I doubt it would affect the amount of recline by any noticeable amount. At any rate, I squeezed the rubber ring back into place in the channel and reassembled the seat. I intend to reinstall the seat this evening.

[66andBlue]

Charles,
I believe what happened is that the horizontal transverse rod should have been inserted two or more teeth lower in the ratchet on the boomerang-shaped hinge. That would give you another quarter or more turn on the handwheel. To change this now means to open up the seat again and to move the rod. Perhaps this photo might help to visualize what went wrong.

[Charles 230SL]

thanks Al,, got it

[balimatharu]

Hi Charles
Beautiful new upholstery. What colour is it. Is it leather I wonder.
Bali

[Charles 230SL]

thanks Bali, its grey leather. Bud's reupholstered my interior about 6 years ago.