swapping seats

[Pete49]

A simple question fellas but is the answer as simple? The drivers seat on my '75 W116 450 SEL is a bit squeaky so I thought I might swap it for the passenger seat as it hasn't been used much. Are the seats interchangeable? I will try to fix the squeak while it's out as well.

[John Green]

Yes, and No....... The spring base the padding and the leather cover for the base are the same, but nearing everything else is differant. It would be a massive job to change left to right. Just as an example the drivers seat is height adjustable. The passengers seat has the arm rest hanging off it, the list goes on.

[Pete49]

thanks for that John but on my car there are no front seat armrests. However the seat height adjustment kills that idea. Time to hunt the squeak.

[Chai]

If the squeak is in the seat base, then it's a case of

• removing the seat from the car and upending it on a platform/table

• opening up the metal clips that tie the seat material to the rear of the wire base with pliers

• Popping out the material from the seat front

• Squirt some spray lube everywhere the base springs meet up with the seat base

I think squeak was from the clips on the springs at the rear of the seat.

You don't have to completely remove the seat padding like shown in this photo to lube away the squeaks.
This photo was when I replaced the crumbled seat padding.

20180929-153225 450SLC driver's seat cushion repair.jpg

[Pete49]

Thanks for that info Chai. I'll give it a go.

[Chai]

An alternative to spraying lithium grease is to spray lanolin ('Lanotec' brand) - oil from a sheep may help feed cow hide.

[CraigB]

All good comments, but if you have both seats out of the car, I don't see it as a massive job to swap the bases. The height adjustment is in the track mechanism, 6 screws holding it to the base - 2 screws on each side for the back...... no electrics .... maybe i have forgotten something.