67 31 530 Removing and installing/replacing drive unit for backrest angle adjustment

WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 6 other vehicles, including the 2010 BMW 535xi, 2010 BMW 535i, 2009 BMW 535xi, 2009 BMW 535i, and 2008 BMW 535xi. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front seat. See REMOVING AND INSTALLING LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT (NORMAL/ELECTRIC) or REMOVING AND INSTALLING LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT (COMFORT)
Remove rear panel on front seat backrest. See REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING REAR PANEL ON LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT BACKREST (NORMAL / ELECTRIC) or 52 17 205 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING BOTH REAR PANELS ON LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT BACKREST (COMFORT)
Remove covers on front seat. See REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING OUTER COVER ON LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT (BASIC/ELECTRIC) and REMOVING AND INSTALLING INNER COVER ON LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT (NORMAL/ELECTRIC)

Unhook backrest cover (1) on left and right on backrest frame (2).

Fig 1: Unhooking Backrest Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Remove metal retaining ring (1) on left and right in direction of arrow from drive rod (2).

Installation:

Always replace metal retaining ring (1).

Make sure metal retaining ring (1) is correctly seated.

Unscrew bolt (3).

Disconnect plug connection (4).

Fig 2: Removing Metal Retaining Ring

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Pull out drive rod (1) until drive unit for backrest angle adjustment (2) is free.

Installation:

Make sure drive rod (1) is correctly seated in drive unit for backrest angle adjustment (2).

Feed drive unit for backrest angle adjustment (2) out of backrest frame (3) and remove.

Fig 3: Pulling Out Drive Rod

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replacement:

INITIALIZE drive unit for backrest angle adjustment.