how do I fold down the rear seats in my 300TE ?

[Leylandp76]

Real dumb Mercedes newbie question here I tried this weekend to fold down the rear seats in my W124 300TE estate and I just can't work it out. The seat squabs lift up and go forwards against the back of the front seats OK, but I can't make the seat backs move (either side). They seem firmly locked.

I have no owner's manual and Haynes offers no tips either.... can anyone offer a quick pointer?

thanks

 

[NormanB]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

In the interests of a quick answer I will sacrifice accuracy!

With both rear doors open, now look inside the door shut just above the catch and you will see a wee button - pull or push (cant remember) while putting pressure on the rear sight back.

There is a correct order in which side to do (assuming yours is split and has reat dog guard/luggage blind) - if you look it is fairly obvious.

NormanB

 

[Leylandp76]

:? thanks for the tip Norman, I saw the buttons and thought they must be it. They push in but nothing seems to happen, no matter how I wiggle the seat backs. Yes, my car has the split seats as you describe. Looks like something is either stuck or broken. The previous owners obviously had a lot of peanut eating kids, I'm finding them (peanuts, not kids) everywhere. Maybe the mechanism is clogged up.

Thanks for the help, at least I know where to start looking. Further tips on what might go wrong would be appreciated

 

[Mike Buley]

Hi,
Mine was exactly the same. I ended up giving it an almighty shove with the button depressed, it worked.
All the best.
Mike.

92 300TE :lol:

 

[NormanB]

Yip

Mike is right a bit of BF&I get the missus involved - she to press the button you in the back and give the seat back a good rocking motion.

NormanB

 

[Mike Buley]

Further to my last.......

I have spoken to a collegue who has an e200 estate. He doesnt even press or pull the buttons. Just opens both rear doors, climbs into the back and shoves, works a treat.

My advice is to give it a go, without pressing the buttons. I have just given it a try and it worked perfectly.

So, I have learnt something tonight also!

Regards,
Mike. :lol:

 

[Bruce_Jeffares]

300TE Rear Seats

Alistair; welcome to the forum, and Good Luck with your new motor !

I had trouble like this some months ago and it was a real b..... to sort out.

Basically, all the lock/release mechanisms are interlocked so that they can only operate in sequence. The interlocking is done with rods, these being located with small retaining clips, Yes, you've got it, the clips can get loose, the rod drops out and the whole thing sets rigid.

I figured this out from pure trial and error; scratching around in very tight places with screwdriver, long nose pliers and much swearing.

You need a nice dry day, send everyone out, and go at it slowly and quietly. It is possible, but a real pain.
Good Luck.

 

[Richard Blamire]

Thank you Alistair!!

I had the exact same problem but was afraid to ask!!!

Thanks to everyone here I think I might be able to sort it out

Nice one

:lol:

 

[dave elcome]

All this talk of buttons to be pressed............what buttons???........i simply open the rear doors, lift up the seat base, then pull the seat back down!!

Am i blessed with an easy one, or is the locking device knackered??

 

[NormanB]

Hi Dave

I guess as mine is '89 and yours is'92 - your locking bars are not engaging.

I do not know the tech detail - nothing in Haynes, but mine work fine. I only very occassionally drop the back (2/3 times a year) and mostly without any drama, rarely have I had to threaten extreme measures. :wink:

 

[Rog_E]

Lowered mine for the first time this weekend!

1. Lift seat squabs
2. Depress button for offside backrest (Smaller of two RHD)
3. Lift bottom of backrest upwards towards roof then swing down (catch didn't disengage properly).
4. Depress nearsid button and lower back rest.

Remove headrests first!

Worries me that the backrests could fold without disengaging the lock, what would happen in the event of an accident - any load in the back could come forwards!

 

[Matt Crooke]

Worries me that the backrests could fold without disengaging the lock, what would happen in the event of an accident - any load in the back could come forwards!

That is a very good point, and i knew someone who had this very thing happen in a Sierra Estate, a golfing umbrella came through between the seats as they werent locked properly and it piecered straight through the back of the drivers seat and into his back...just like a dart.

I would have though this would get picked up on the MOT??