Mercedes Seat "helper cylinders" under the upholstery

[Jlaa]

Here you go, @kiev. I vaguely remember you talking about these a short time ago, and as you are embarking now you replacing upholstery / horsehair pads, I saw these and thought of you. I cannot find the original thread where you were asking about these though

2x TAXI Blocks Pads for the front seats of a w124 w126 w201 a 126 914 22 | eBay

Passend für die Modelle w124 w126 w201 - 300SE and 300SEL (1988-91) - 380SE and 500SEL (1984-85) - 380SEL (1981-83). Passend für die Modelle w124 w126 w201. 29,90 EUR inkl. - 420SEL and 560SEL (1986-91).

www.ebay.com

 

[Kyiv]

Thanks! I was considering these, but then saw - who else - GSXR point to the same HD Styrofoam (?) cylinder-shaped blocks from MB itself. Only $7.40 each. I've ordered x4

 

[Kyiv]

How are leather covers holding up, after a few years?

 

[Jlaa]

How are leather covers holding up, after a few years?

Well they look fantastic and good as new. But please be warned - I am the kind of guy that vacuums out the floor mats after every drive. EVERY DRIVE. Because I want to see fresh vacuum tracks on the floor mats at all times. I also refuse to wear a belt while driving the car for fear of transferring any color from a leather belt to the upholstery. I've also only put ~5,000 miles on the car since.

 

[LWB250]

Thanks! I was considering these, but then saw - who else - GSXR point to the same HD Styrofoam (?) cylinder-shaped blocks from MB itself. Only $7.40 each. I've ordered x4

Every W126 seat I've ever rebuilt has had these. I keep a few on the shelf as they're inexpensive and easy to pop into a seat frame while apart.

Dan

 

[Allgonquin]

Those look suspiciously like the old "pool noodle" repair parts.

 

[gerryvz]

They are very very similar foam to pool noodles.

 

[kwontumspeed]

These go in the front? My issue seems to be the rear. It's nothing that I feel, but the rear seat cover lower mount, where it's held in place by the plastic strip tucked under cushion frame comes undone when I sit in the seat (hard to explain, pics to come). It more an annoyance than anything else.

 

[Kyiv]

As I understand, up to four cylinder blocks can be used per seat, in this fashion:

 

[TimL]

As I understand, up to four cylinder blocks can be used per seat, in this fashion:
View attachment 100736

Hi @kiev,

Did you end up buying and installing these pieces? I ordered two sets from Kurth Classics last week and am keen to know if they make a big difference or not.

Mercedes W124 seat reinforcement

bring your W124 seat back to 'as new' condition

www.kurth-classics-autoparts.de

Despite putting in a newer OEM driver cushion a few weeks ago, the seating experience is still a bit too "squishy" for my liking, so I'm hoping installing these might bring some improvements........

 

[Jlaa]

Hi Kiev,

Did you end up buying and installing these pieces? I ordered two sets from Kurth Classics last week and am keen to know if they make a big difference or not.

Despite putting in a newer OEM driver cushion a few weeks ago, the seating experience is still a bit too "squishy" for my liking, so I'm hoping installing these might bring some improvements........

I’m interested too. I think I would like to do the same..... I mean even with new horsehair pads, the seating experience is kind of mushy.

 

[TimL]

I’m interested too. I think I would like to do the same.

Maybe that is even a candidate for a group buy, IF people have had good experience with these and IF there is enough interest on the forum.

I'd be happy to organize a group buy if we were to get to that point.

 

[Kyiv]

I purchased 4 foam cylinders from MB at something like $7 or so a piece. But I haven't installed them yet - sorry.

 

[TimL]

I purchased 4 foam cylinders from MB at something like $7 or so a piece. But I haven't installed them yet - sorry.

No worries, Kiev. I will get the Kurth kit installed when it arrives and see how it goes.

 

[Kyiv]

No worries, Kiev. I will get the Kurth kit installed when it arrives and see how it goes.

My turn to ask have you got a chance to install yours? I have my seat out and apart. Waiting on some parts and cushion being refreshed. Taking a look again, I'm wondering how important is that black mat from the picture for a proper implementation. I only have cylinders, which I bought from MB



@gsxr, do you know if a such a pad is often by Mercedes?

 

[gsxr]

I've never seen the black pad shown in that photo. I don't know what it is, but AFAIK it's not offered by MB.

 

[TimL]

My turn to ask have you got a chance to install yours? I have my seat out and apart. Waiting on some parts and cushion being refreshed. Taking a look again, I'm wondering how important is that black mat from the picture for a proper implementation. I only have cylinders, which I bought from MB

View attachment 127976

@gsxr, do you know if a such a pad is often by Mercedes?

I received the kits, but haven't had a chance to get these installed or any of the other stuff I had planned for Jan & Feb and likely won't be able to get it done before May/June- life has gotten in the way.

The black pad is a fairly stiff piece against which the foam cylinders are supposed to press. Think it helps with making the whole seating surface a bit stiffer vs. just the four foam cylinders creating areas/pockets of stiffness. The pad goes between the wire frame and the seat cushion. I'm not sure, the whole thing might be snake oil for all I know, but I'm keen to stiffen up the seat frame and hence am determined to give this a try

 

[Kyiv]

@TimL, thanks for the update. Are the cylinders of the same height?

 

[TimL]

@TimL, thanks for the update. Are the cylinders of the same height?

Yes, they are.

Considering that I will not be able to put these in my car anytime soon due to a total lack of time, I could sell you one of the two kits I bought for the price I paid. It took 3 months to get here from Germany, so seeing that I won’t get to having these put on my car before May/June, I have enough time to wait for another kit to arrive, if you are in a hurry to get your seats modified....I’d rather not have to order a new kit but I want to offer it to you in case it helps you out.

 

[Kyiv]

Yes, they are.

Considering that I will not be able to put these in my car anytime soon due to a total lack of time, I could sell you one of the two kits I bought for the price I paid. It took 3 months to get here from Germany, so seeing that I won’t get to having these put on my car before May/June, I have enough time to wait for another kit to arrive, if you are in a hurry to get your seats modified....I’d rather not have to order a new kit but I want to offer it to you in case it helps you out.

YES

 

[nocfn]

I added springs to the C126 (repaired broken as well). This is not a difficult job, but the seat needs to be removed and you need to plan ahead. According to the aftermarket site, there are triangular pieces to support the sides, the tubes support the 4 corners and the heavy black pad lays over the spring seat frame to lend stiffness prior to the horsehair pad and cover.

(Note that the triangular pieces are not offered on the 124. The C126 is an S Class and in my view a more comfortable seat. The E500 seat to me is as comfortable as the C126, but it is a different. The 500e500 is different than the pedestrian version 124)

I think the the 400/420 may benefit from the triangular supports as well.

 

[Ntrepid]

@TimL Where did you order these and do you have the P/Ns? I’m thinking I may buy and hold on to a couple of sets in case my seats start to decline years from now.


Robert

 

[Kyiv]

@TimL Where did you order these and do you have the P/Ns? I’m thinking I may buy and hold on to a couple of sets in case my seats start to decline years from now.


Robert

Mercedes W124 seat reinforcement

bring your W124 seat back to 'as new' condition

www.kurth-classics-autoparts.de

 

[darek_u]

Gents share your thoughts when you install these - I'm considering buying a kit myself and wonder what difference it makes...

 

[TimL]

YES

One set will go out to you later today.

 

[Kyiv]

One set will go out to you later today.

Vielen Dank, sehr nett von Ihnen!

 

[Kyiv]

Hopefully this might be useful to someone in the future. I don't know about E500E, but on 400E there are 2 foam supports under the spring frame, that came from the factory. There is a regular and a "sport" version in the EPC for 400E. I obtained 2 new pieces from getmercedesparts.com at $21/piece. Here is a picture of the old and new (grey). New is in much better shape and, hopefully, will make some difference

 

[sheward]

036 seats have them as well. What version did you get? The supports in my seat look the same size and sit the same distance below the spring as your old ones.

drew

 

[TimL]

Hopefully this might be useful to someone in the future. I don't know about E500E, but on 400E there are 2 foam supports under the spring frame, that came from the factory. There is a regular and a "sport" version in the EPC for 400E. I obtained 2 new pieces from getmercedesparts.com at $21/piece. Here is a picture of the old and new (grey). New is in much better shape and, hopefully, will make some difference

View attachment 128344
View attachment 128345
View attachment 128348

@kiev the set of German "Taxi Klötze" went out to you via mail today and are scheduled to arrive on Saturday. What are the PNs for the foam pieces you just ordered?

 

[Kyiv]

@TimL, thank you! The part # for the 2 foam factory supports is in the 3rd picture of my previous post. However, that's what the EPC showed for my 400E. I'm not sure what part # is for 500E. I will check tomorrow and will post it here.

@sheward, Drew, I got "standard" supports, not the "for sport" seats

 

[nocfn]

those supports also look like the nla foam pieces under the headlight @gvz

 

[Kyiv]

@kiev the set of German "Taxi Klötze" went out to you via mail today and are scheduled to arrive on Saturday. What are the PNs for the foam pieces you just ordered?

Tim, for E500E, part # is 1249102875. However, if I looked correctly, it's NLA...

 

[kegmankipp]

Yep, NLA. I checked at dealer this morning

 

[gsxr]

Yep, NLA. I checked at dealer this morning

It sure looks like the standard foam might fit in place of the Sportline foam. Worth a try, if you are messing with Sportline seats...

 

[kegmankipp]

It sure looks like the standard foam might fit in place of the Sportline foam. Worth a try, if you are messing with Sportline seats...

Ok, nice. I ordered a pair of standard just in case. I’ve got one squeaky lower Sportline bolster. Sounds like foam on metal.

 

[Kyiv]

@kiev the set of German "Taxi Klötze" went out to you via mail today and are scheduled to arrive on Saturday.

I'm quite disappointed in the so called famous German punctuality, that I thought you were a carrier of. The package arrived 1 day earlier, today on Friday

 

[TimL]

I'm quite disappointed in the so called famous German punctuality, that I thought you were a carrier of. The package arrived 1 day earlier, today on Friday

Glad it arrived kiev. Please let us know how the install goes and even more importantly, if there is a perceptible improvement

 

[kegmankipp]

Ok, nice. I ordered a pair of standard just in case. I’ve got one squeaky lower Sportline bolster. Sounds like foam on metal.

I pulled the seat out of the car today to take a peak. Turns out the squeaking sound was leather on metal around the bottom front right edge. I cut a half inch by foot long strip of felt and wedged it into the gap with a putty knife. Squeak is gone thank God. It sounded like a kid playing with a helium balloon

 

[Kyiv]

The foam cylinders from "Taxi Klötze" are slightly shorter and significantly softer and less rigid vs MB cylinders (126-914-22-15). Taxi Klötze kit is allegedly a tailored product for a W124 seat, whereas MB cylinders are, I believe, factory standard on W126 seats and are not prescribed by MB to be used in W124 seats. I'm contemplating whether I should cut MB cylinders to match Taxi Klötze kit height and use them WITH
Taxi Klötze pad . Just thinking aloud.

Here's a difference between Taxi Klötze and MB (black) cylinders:

 

[gsxr]

RAMMSTEIN!!

 

[Kyiv]

RAMMSTEIN!!

This is not a love song

 

[Kyiv]

I've done some experimenting and came to a conclusion that using modified-by-shortening MB styrofoam blocks in the two front springs gives the best effect: firm and cohesive seat, that doesn't feel concrete. I will still use Taxi Klötze cylinders for the rear springs AND Taxi Klötze pad.

Taxi Klötze kit by itself provides a mild improvement. Alternatively, using MB cylinders for all 4 springs doesn't feel right: too stiff and the stiffness feels artificially concentrated under thighs instead of eventually distributed.


*Taxi Klötze" kit cylinders are of perfect hight. I cut Mercedes cylinders to match it


*The combo that feels best to me that I'll install: firm, cohesive, but the springiness is still there. Hopefully my impression will be similar once I actually ride in the seat.

 

[darek_u]

What is this pad made of? Some sort of thick PVC or something else?

 

[Kyiv]

What is this pad made of? Some sort of thick PVC or something else?

Hard to describe. It feels like a carpeted sandpaper. It's rather thin

 

[Kyiv]

I've just re-attached seat cushion back onto the seat. It was surprisingly easy. I expected some sweating and cursing, but no, 10 minutes without any sweating and done.

Took a seat in the seat - f#@k yeah was my first, pure, virgin reaction. Can't wait for my headliner to be ready, so I can install it and then the seat back into car. To recoup, I renewed:

• New support blocks
• New horsehair pad
• Added MB styrofoam blocks into front springs
• Added Taxi Klötze Styrofoam blocks into rear springs
• Added Taxi Klötze pad

Check out what fabric guy that is also gluing my headliner did to my original bottom seat cushion:




JUST TO CLARIFY: bottom cushion is the same one in both photos. It's the original one to my car and it has been made to look basically new

 

[gsxr]

Wow. What did he do to your bottom cushion to resurrect it?

 

[nocfn]

besides a good cleaning.....

 

[Kyiv]

I've finally road tested my refurbished driver seat today. To remind, I've replaced:

• grey styrofoam blocks with new MB units
• horsehair pad with new unit
• added 2 MB black cylinders
• Added 2 Taxi Klotze cylinders
• Added "taxi Klotze" pad

It took my headliner guy 3 months to get me my refurbished headliner back. Once I got it back I went on to reinstall driver seat as well, which spent almost 2 months occupying a corner in my home office. Anyways, I spent about 1.5 hours today driving and the seat feels superb. It has the same "character" as before, just more wholesome, tighter feel to it. Still springy, but gives less on up-and-down suspension motion, particularly on corners (seat corners that is). Imagine being hugged by a 50 year old woman and then the same woman but 30 years old. This how my seat feels now. No negative unintended consequences observed. A tangible and satisfactory result

 

[TimL]

followed your trial closely and bought all the same bits and bobs, so now that the results are in, I will get it installed during the next go around. Thanks for the update, @kiev!

 

[Jlaa]

@kiev @TimL do I have these right (if I follow correctly)

Grey foam 2 per seat - 124-910-16-75

MB cylinders 2 per seat - 126-914-22-15

Taxi Klotze 2 per seat - how to get this as the ebay seller does not ship to USA?