52 25 055 Removing And Installing/Replacing Gear For Headrest Adjustment

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 BMW Alpina and 2007 BMW Alpina. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove rear head restraint. See 52 25 390 REMOVING AND INSTALLING OR REPLACING LEFT OR RIGHT REAR HEAD RESTRAINT .
Remove supplementary trim on C-pillar at bottom. See 51 43 240 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING SUPPLEMENTARY TRIM ON C-PILLAR AT BOTTOM (WITH ELECTRIC REAR SEAT ADJUSTMENT) ON LEFT OR RIGHT .
Remove trim for armrest at rear. See 52 25 030 REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE ARMREST FOR REAR SEAT BACKREST .
Remove rear panel on rear seat backrest. See 52 25 ... REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR PANEL ON REAR SEAT BACKREST .
Remove four-bar lever on rear seat backrest. See 52 25 018 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING FOURBAR LEVER ON LEFT OR RIGHT REAR SEAT BACKREST .

Bend shaft (1) in direction of arrow and pull out of gear (2).

Disconnect spring (3) on left and right and remove.

Unclip wiring harness (4).

Fig 1: Identifying Bend Shaft And Spring

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release snap rings (1) on left and right.

Detach component (2) on left and right.

Fig 2: Identifying Snap Rings

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Release screws (1).

Rotate shaft with carrier plates (4) in direction of arrow up to stop and remove gear (2).

Replacing shaft for backrest head adjustment:

Release screws (3) on left and right and remove shaft with carrier plates (4).

Fig 3: Rotating Shaft With Carrier Plates

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.