Headrest Installation in non-headrest seats

[mdsalemi]

Anybody offer any tip, tricks, techniques for installation of the rails and headrests as an aftermarket install?  My friend just got some headrests, and the rail kit--but before proceeding on his seats wants to make sure he has all the parts, and tools required.

Looks like you need some kind of circlip to hold the rail in place, and looks like you might need to drill some holes in the seat frame to accomodate this rail?



Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[jsaylor]

Michael,

I want to do the same to my '65.  I have head rests but no rails.  Where did your friend get his?
Thanks,

Jim Saylor
Kauai, Hawaii
'65 230SL

[ja17]

Hello guys,
The head rest rails are attached to the seat back cross members top and bottom. They hook into a key-slot hole at top and are riveted at the bottom. There are four  plastic bushings two in the seat pad and two in the upholstery. One of the headrest rails have a release button so the headrests can be removed.

I recently sent one of the listers a set-up out from two era Mercedes sedan seats with the rails, head rests and bushings,  to be installed in his W113. It looks like all the parts are the same or close enough.

I suspect new parts from Mercedes are very expensive.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[pagode.info]

Hi Michael,

after reading Your E-Mail I deceided
to take some pics, so everybody can
see how to install the original head-
rest rails on an early Pagoda.

Late Pagodas are already prepared to
take the rails without any drilling.

BTW:
Original Rails are NLA. If You want to
go for NOS, please give me an E-Mail.

Download Attachment: Original Backrest holes on a 280.jpg
28.29 KB

Download Attachment: Drilled Backrest Holes on a 230.jpg
61.15 KB

Download Attachment: Installed Rails.jpg
61.08 KB

Download Attachment: Installed Rails Birds View.jpg
62.4 KB

Tom

www.pagode.info

[n/a]

Hi Tom,
Good idea to post pictures. I am in the process of installing rails in my 280 SL seats. I have the rails and all the small parts which go inside.
Are the 2 rails in each seat exactly the same?
Do you have a picture of the underside of the rail with the parts hold by a spring in their final position?
What is the fiber pad under the rail for?
Thank you.

alain

[pagode.info]

Sorry I have no more pics.

The rails I sell are both the same, because
one has to drill the backrest covering for
the release button. I prefer rails that do
not have this button.

Tom


www.pagode.info

[Bob G]

Tom:
I purchased a set of used headrest with the grommets on each side of the headrest. The arms are loose, is their a way to tighten them up so the head rest will not fall forward? Also where can I get the two plastic grommets that go into the seat rails for the headrest?

Bob Geco

[n/a]

Hi all,
Can anybody confirm the following assertions about the small parts in the 280 SL headrests rails (from the top):
- 1rst part is a black plastic bushing hold in place by a clip
- 2nd part is a white plastic bushing hold in place by a clip
- 3rd part is a metal release button hold in place by a flat spring

- The release button is only in one rail per seat?
- The spring is only needed to hold this button and therefore only in one rail per seat?
- There is a small rubber plug available, where does it go?

alain

[n/a]

Hi all,
Ok, no success whith my last question! But I insist, whith an easier one:
can anybody look at the place where the headrest legs go through the seat's cover. There is a plastic grommet. Is it round or oval? How many centimeters from the front piping is the center of the hole?Thanks.

alain

[66andBlue]

quote:Originally posted by pagode.info

...The rails I sell are both the same, because
one has to drill the backrest covering for
the release button. I prefer rails that do
not have this button.

I am in the process of installing the guides in my 230SL seats and was wondering how the release works in a 280SL seat with original headrests?  
Is there an opening in the hard panel covering the back to get access to the release button?
The button is circled in this picture:

Thanks!

Alfred
1966 blue 230SL automatic