How to fold rear seats W124 estate?

[dougal74]

New owner of a 1992 K 300TE 7 seater. I must be a fool but having read the owners book and the Haynes I can't work out where the release mechanism is for the rear seat split fold backrests. The bench folds upwards with the handle on the side of the squab at the bottom, then I removed the headrests, but there seems to be no release for the backrest! Do you have to take the luggage cover/dog guard out first? Many thanks, Adam

 

[sebastianforbes]

hi there adam

don't worry, we have all been there - you need to have the side back door open. that way you can only do it when the car is stationary. it should not require any force either and you'll have to do the single first.

cheers

sebastian.

 

[230K]

Hi

The ones on the wifes 124 7 seater need a good tug to get them to release.
Do all as sebastianforbes says and givethem a good tug also starting with the smaller one, also make sure the extra seats are folded down(not sure if that matters)

230K

 

[Ian B Walker]

There is also a button to push, you will find it towards the top of the seat on the pillar of the door, just above the curvature of the door. Hope this makes sense to you, late here and I am just back from work.

 

[andy_k]

There is also a button to push, you will find it towards the top of the seat on the pillar of the door, just above the curvature of the door. Hope this makes sense to you, late here and I am just back from work.

are you sure Ian?

I thought those "buttons" were the security catches that lock the seats and stop them swinging forwards when the doors are closed - I may be wrong, but with the back doors open my seat backs just fold forwards once the cushion has been moved out the way.

If they haven't been used for a long while there is a possibility the've got stuck - releasing them can be a nightmare of a job.

Andy

 

[guydewdney]

if it uses the same vacuum lock mech as the coupe front seats - they can get stuck - and a good thump back i find releases them - then use of wd40 or similar might be in order.

 

[Steve Chafer]

You may have to have both rear doors open to allow the "buttons" to release the rear seat

prior to this you also need to lift up both rear seat squabs by lifting them at the side rear of each with the doors open - there's a black plastic moulding with finger shaped ribs for this.

they do get a little sticky sometimes

as mentioned before, exercising with some WD 40 plus then some light oil would be good.

good luck :bannana:

great motors


Steve

 

[andy_k]

they are not vacuum locked but the lower release mechanism can get stuck, if this happens there aren't too many options that don't involve brute force and/or breaking something.

If they refuse top move try reaching around the base of the seat and locating and manually releasing the mechanism - be ready for some skinned knuckles.

I'd really recommend not trying WD40 as there is nowherte you can actually spray that will help and all you will end up with is is stained upholstery - the release mechanism is inside the seats and you need to get in at the bottom of the trim and move it manually.

There's a story on one of the forums where one owner used a piece of 4x2 timber with one end wedged against the top of his seat and the other sticking out the rear of the car before reversing into a wall to free the seats - drastic but it worked

Andy

 

[dougal74]

And I thought I was just missing something obvious! I might try to avoid the 2 x 4 and brick wall scenario...thanks for all the advice.

 

[andy_k]

have a read here maybe some of the words of wisdom may help

Andy

 

[dougal74]

Thanks for all the advice, lying down in the boot and a hefty clump with both feet (slightly upwards as per the lifting comment) did the trick.