W203 - Rear Head Restraints question

[350_Coupe]

Just a curiosity thread,
i was looking at some different photo shots of the W203 range switch pack above the COMAND-APS system, wondering about all the blanks ! and noticed there some different options across the different models in the range, some of which where not available on some models.

The one that caught my eye as interesting is the button to lower the rear head restraints so visibility is increased for reversing.

THIS ONE

Not an option on the coupe i have, shame really as visibility is pretty low out the rear as it is !

So does anyone know anything about this system, how it works, why it only lowers and can't raise the restraints - i had heard it was air operated.

Where is the kit stored/fitted etc etc..... pictures always welcome

Like i said at the start, just a curiosity post more than anything else, because i have no idea how it works... and it interested me

 

[GP801]

Works on a vacuum system I think. Its not something new. Has been on W124s for years and possibly even earlier models. Works very well. Have it on the CLK so am a bit surprised not available on the coupe.

 

[350_Coupe]

do you know where all the kit is located ?

I too was very surprised it was not an option, i guess they figured on the coupes having less rear seat passengers overall

 

[GP801]

Sorry no. The technical bits are beyond me but there is nothing under the parcel shelf.

 

[350_Coupe]

hmmm, if it's vacuum driven.... then the possibilities are pretty wide, very much like old cruise control units where a vacuum pump is located down infront of one of the front wheels, and the tube simply run up to the throttle body !

I'd guess the vacuum pump was under the floor panel just behind the seats, and a tube runs up inside the back seat panel and into the head restraint form there and is connected to a closing device there to pull the head restraint down around it's pivot point.

This is a rather interesting subject

i do miss old style breakers yards where you could go in and take al look at something, and how it works before deciding if you want to try making it fit a different model... these days you have to rely on some dodgy bloke who probably just ripped the stuff out blindly and then sells it for over inflated prices on fleabay !

 

[BlackC55]

They are not vac operated on a 203. The 202 they are and the CL is also vac operated and uses the same pump.

 

[Wully]

If the W203 isn't on a vac what are they?

 

[350_Coupe]

If the W203 isn't on a vac what are they?

same question .... because if they're not vacuum, i'm gonna ask the obvious.... why dont they go back up again when you press the switch (as i understand it they only go down manually) .... personally i'd have thought if they had the ability to go back up, MB would have tried hooking them to the reversing system

EDIT
that C220 of yours Wully is pretty well spec'd

 

[Wully]

that C220 of yours Wully is pretty well spec'd

Pitty the bodywork is letting it down!

 

[Meldrew2]

And they don't appear on the W204 at all.

 

[350_Coupe]

Thats interesting, i thought they did ... curious, i guess they decided that option as not realy needed, or was something that could go in cost cutting measures

 

[nigel cross]

They only go down and not back up again

 

[350_Coupe]

yup, so, anyone played around with this ?
is by any chance the whole mechanism stored in the head restraint ?

 

[dtldesign]

not a clue how it works but i think its a great feature... noting bugs me more having the headrest up in the back... dam passengers thinking they can get comfy.

they only rotate the head itslef. so if the height adjustment has been played with they don't fully go down.... (well i think that is the case. i rarley get people in the back)

 

[Mike Walker]

Mine has this facility and restraints are down permanently. Will now start looking to see how to raise them up again just so I know. Very interesting topic.

 

[markjay]

... a very long wire and a hook?

 

[dtldesign]

or a bit of string hidden by the side of the seat for that flash look....

 

[nigel cross]

They go down with a click, so I think that they are simply held /or released with a solenoid. They do not go up with the same button

 

[350_Coupe]

LOL you lot are funny !!

The rotation part is restrained by the button on the side., press the button and they will then pop-up, they seem to be sprung loaded, not sure if it's the same system on yours but i would suspect it is, or is similar