Retro fitting six and seventh seats into a W124

[edpurnell]

Hi all,

I am about to do this within the next couple of weeks. Does anyone have any hints or tips as to the best way to approach this. If anyone has pictures or a how to I would be very appreciative.I am picking up what seems to be a complete kit with belts, sides and seats plus lots of bolts etc. (oh dear)

Regards
EP

[Biglips]

I have done this. It is a bit of a pig to do. Allow 3 or 4 hours. The rear seat belt fitting is v tight if you have a sunroof as the motor sits in the way but it will go eventually! Happy to advise if you get stuck.

[edpurnell]

Thanks for the prompt reply biglips. If i need assistance I will pm you.

[r129sl]

I can't add to what Biglips has said about the seat belts: they're a pig, but they do go in the end. I'm ashamed to say that I paid someone else to do it!

[edpurnell]

How much did you pay? if you dont mind me asking. To have them fitted that is.
0-50
50-100
100-150
150+

I am collecting this Saturday and will be spending Sunday fitting. Plasters and swear box at the ready.

[r129sl]

It was part of a bigger bill but I think it was about £100: three hours' labour, I seem to recall. But this is Oop North where people still do an honest day's toil for reasonable coin. Or something.

[paulshears]

I'm pretty sure you would need to re-MOT your car once you fit the 6th/7th seat & belts

Something to do with them not been checked on your current MOT & passengers in those seat not been covered by your insurance

[edpurnell]

Thanks for the heads up re- seatbelts...I wasnt aware of that.
I will let insurance know and let DVLA know.

[edpurnell]

Well,
I have collected seat kit from ebayer and all seems present and correct(minus the rear opening board for the seat base to attach to.) I Started by cleaning the whole ensemble and it scrubbed up nice,The leather matched the car interior perfectly. I then fitted the seat base,board and seatbelt anchorage.....so far so good. I then bit the bullet and went for the nearside rear belt first (yes the one behind the sunroof motor.). Saying it was tricky or tight is an understatement, it was a mega struggle. It eventually went past the sunroof motor however it was the wrong orientation, 15/20/30/45 minutes later and it was fitted...YEAH.....but wait the inertia reel is jammed and wont release. Some bad words were used and as it was now getting dark I called it a day. To be continued........

If Anyone can help on how to release the inertia belts that would be great, If anybody knows wether I can modify the rearmost boot board to accept the seat base that would be great too.

Regards
Ed

[Biglips]

Are you on a steep incline? If so you may find it will release when you move to a flat position . Alternatively the inertia reel has been locked by the movements required to get it past the motor assembly if this has occured whilst on a level surface. Try moving the car to a steep incline and it may release again.

[r129sl]

This occurred with mine. They ended up ordering new (used) seat belt reals. My kit also lacked the floor cover, irritatingly.

[edpurnell]

Guys, Do either of you have any pictures you could share with me of the rearmost board and its hinge assembly and also the bottom hinge of the seatback(I take it these are the ones with the spring mechanism on them.) I also have a strap for what I assume is pulling the boot closed from inside. Where is this factory fitted any pics would be appreciated. I can PM you my email address if it is easier to send them.

Regards
Ed

[Biglips]

Sorry cant help with this as mine is not with me at the moment. New ac compressor being fitted and a few other bits and pieces being sorted and won't be back with me until the end of next week

[r129sl]

Ditto. Mine is at the bodyshop not getting fixed. Sob.

[Biglips]

r129sl said:

Ditto. Mine is at the bodyshop not getting fixed. Sob.

What are you having done (or not....)?

[r129sl]

It's not getting repaired after my wife drove it into an apparently invisible concrete wall.

[Biglips]

Ouch! Must have hit it quite hard as they are tough beasts. I backed into a 2CV whilst parking in mine and the 2CV fell apart like a clown car. Not a mark on my 124! Expensive day for me......

[bolide]

The inertia reels are marked with orientations for the angle at which they operate. From memory one of them is 0 degrees 330 degrees meaning it needs to be at 30 degrees to the vertical to operate

I always test the reels before fitting to make sure they will work when in situ. I also unravel the belt completely so all the crud falls out and the belt can be cleaned

Final tip: to fit the nearside rear reel first pull the belt out completely and put a soft knot in it so it won't retract. This makes the reel smaller in diameter in the centre and, when turned sideways, it will pass behind the sunroof motor

Take lots of care when fitting this one - if you're hamfisted you'll put a dent in the rear quarter

Nick Froome

[edpurnell]

This hasnt gone well. Both inertias locked solid and a very slight dent in rear 1/4. Not good. I have located the reel behind the sunroof motor and it still won't retract. What a shame. I wish I hadn't started and just left it with 5 seats. On a positive note I have done a tour of europe and it has recently clocked 200,000 miles. It is by far the nicest car I have owned. why did i not buy one years ago.