W123 Seat Bases

[sunnydippy]

Hi Everyone.
I have a W123 Saloon that is now pretty much prestine. Only problem is the normal really soft seat bases in the front. Now, is this normally down to springs broken in the bases or just the foam filling being a bit old and past it day ? Or is it down to both ?
If it can just be the filing, can you get aftermarket bases to refill your seats in the UK?

Thanks, Sunny.

 

[jonnyboy]

usually the spring bases can collapse.
you can either get a good passenger seat base and swap over the runners etc, or I am sure w126 bases are the same

 

[huck280]

usually the spring bases can collapse.
you can either get a good passenger seat base and swap over the runners etc, or I am sure w126 bases are the same

Having just the same experience. My local auto upholsterer says that fixing the springs is almost impossible - but you can put rubber inserts in to do the job, and put a better foam in from underneath. He's just quoted me £175 + vat for the whole thing, including putting in a bolster of my choice.

Those 123 drivers seats are bitches without them!

 

[ianrandom]

With my old W126 seats, i got some of that flexible foam cylinder as found in pools. Cut to the right length, it can be pushed in to form a firmer bolster. It worked a treat on my drivers seat, which previously had a sag towards the door. Firmed up the edges nicely, and was very cheap. Need to pop the seat out to push it in from underneath.
MB sells something similar i hear.

 

[sunnydippy]

Cheers Guys.
I think I'll be calling my local upholsterer and see how much it will cost to get these sorted. I'm just hoping that I don't find the springs broken when I take the seats out.

 

[jaymanek]

Springs just go saggy.. you can aid the springs by adding some upholstery foam between them... will make them nice and firm.

 

[219]

The springs commonly break in a lot of these seats .

Attempting repairs by stuffing in foam , rubber etc are just bodges which will never restore the seats to proper condition .

As John rightly said above , W123 seat bases are indeed the same parts as W126 ones . I have in the past taken good passenger seat bases from donor cars ( often the passenger seat has hardly been sat upon and is still as good as new ) then swapped over runners , padding and covers to effectively build a new drivers seat . This job can take a few hours to complete but is a proper repair and does result in a seat as good as new .