W639 2007 Viano - Any gotchas when fitting genuine swivel bases?

[Northernsands]

Hi all.

I'm looking to fit genuine (used) swivel bases to our 2007 Viano. Has anyone done this? Can anyone think of any gotchas? Does anyone know if there are other bits that are required to accommodate them?

Given that this is a Viano, there's no bulkhead behind the front seats, which I've heard can stop the seats from swivelling. The front seats are manual, not electric, but I'm sure there are still cables going into the bottom of the seats for detecting if someone is sat there, and sensors in the seat belt sockets. I'm not sure how long the cables are, but they may need extending. There's also the battery under the passenger seat. I've not looked too closely, so I don't know how that affects things. I know the seats will likely need to be moved back and forth when swivelling, but we have a Motorhome that needs that, so we're used to it.

I know they were fitted to Marco Polos, but I don't know what year they started and what other changes were made. There are loads of aftermarket swivel plates available, but Youtube videos only show these going into Vitos. None say there's an issue with the cables, though.

To be honest, fitting the aftermarket plates might be more simpler as I wouldn't have to faff with the battery...

Comments welcome!

 

[Northernsands]

I thought I'd update this thread, in case it's useful. I managed to get hold of some genuine swivel bases. The fitment is pretty straightforward, but the mechanism to slide the seats forward and backward fouls the top of the rotation mechanism. Looking at parts diagrams for Viano seats, it seems that there are two different types of sliding lever, one of which - I assume - is to fit alongside the swivel bases. The sensor cables also need the cable ties that hold them to the underside of the seat base snipping to allow the extra length required, but they are fine and don't snag on anything

I've managed to get around any problems and the swivels work very well. You do need to slide them forward and back as you rotate, and you're just better off getting out of the drivers seat as the gearstick gets in the way of one's knees, but I'm happy.

Now I just need to finish the set of trim panels that go around the bases (they are lower than the originals)...

 

[Blobcat]

I thought I'd update this thread, in case it's useful. I managed to get hold of some genuine swivel bases. The fitment is pretty straightforward, but the mechanism to slide the seats forward and backward fouls the top of the rotation mechanism. Looking at parts diagrams for Viano seats, it seems that there are two different types of sliding lever, one of which - I assume - is to fit alongside the swivel bases. The sensor cables also need the cable ties that hold them to the underside of the seat base snipping to allow the extra length required, but they are fine and don't snag on anything

I've managed to get around any problems and the swivels work very well. You do need to slide them forward and back as you rotate, and you're just better off getting out of the drivers seat as the gearstick gets in the way of one's knees, but I'm happy.

Now I just need to finish the set of trim panels that go around the bases (they are lower than the originals)...

Pictures would be nice.
I had OE swivels in my VW caravelle and they were very useful - had to slide to spin same as yours

 

[Northernsands]

Pictures would be nice.
I had OE swivels in my VW caravelle and they were very useful - had to slide to spin same as yours

I'll see what I can do. They do work well. The centre of the swivel radius is toward the back, rather than in the middle, which I think helps.

 

[Northernsands]