Pagoda SL Group

W113 Pagoda SL Group => Body, interior, paint, chrome, and cosmetic items => Topic started by: col320ce on February 13, 2021, 07:47:31

Title: Seat back lever knob repair
Post by: col320ce on February 13, 2021, 07:47:31
Has anyone tried repairing this lever knob. It's broken on both my seats? I'm wondering if I can tap the square section or drill the centre out and put a rod in there and tap that...
Title: Re: Seat back lever knob repair
Post by: DaveB on February 13, 2021, 20:43:47
It must be a common problem, one of mine is broken too. So hopefully somebody's already done it and can advise.
Either way would work I reckon. The rod insert possibly stronger? Easier would be to weld on a short section of threaded rod. I think the plastic knob would cover the join. However the heat might have some unpredictable effects.
Title: Re: Seat back lever knob repair
Post by: col320ce on February 13, 2021, 21:39:10
I thought about welding but I don't have the skills or tools and thought that it probably would need rechroming afterwards.
Title: Re: Seat back lever knob repair
Post by: chumps on February 14, 2021, 00:27:21
When I bought my SL it had a broken rod like yours. It bothered me so I looked for a new seat mechanism but could not find one. So for a temporary fix (25 years ago) I measured the thread length on the good side and ground the broken rod round down to the amount of thread length. Then used a die to cut the threads the same size as the threads in the plastic knob. It looked and worked great. I have never given it another thought. In my opinion it is poorly designed mechanism. Chumps   
Title: Re: Seat back lever knob repair
Post by: col320ce on February 14, 2021, 02:20:46
I think that will be the easiest fix. As both mine are broken I don't know what the threads pitch/length etc is but I think I'll be able to work it out when the new knobs arrive.
Title: Re: Seat back lever knob repair
Post by: DaveB on February 15, 2021, 01:35:02
Good to know thanks Chumps. I agree it's poorly designed, too slender.
Col could you please post the thread information when you have it? I checked mine and, like yours, both are broken.
Title: Re: Seat back lever knob repair
Post by: col320ce on February 15, 2021, 02:15:10
Will do Dave.
Title: Re: Seat back lever knob repair
Post by: col320ce on May 14, 2021, 03:22:40
4mm 0.7 thread
I threaded about 20mm
I rounded it to about 4.5mm with an angle grinder then tapped it with a larger dye to make it round then hand filed to 3.9mm about then final dye.
Took about 10 minutes.
Title: Re: Seat back lever knob repair
Post by: DaveB on May 15, 2021, 02:35:09
Got that thank you.