Special Tools Required

• 52 0 050 PLIERS

Necessary preliminary tasks: 

• Remove left backrest cover  . Refer to 52 26 020 Removing And Installing/Replacing Both Backrests For Rear Seat .
• Remove guide sleeves  . Refer to 52 26... Removing And Installing/Replacing All Guide Sleeves For Rear Head Restraints .
• Remove center armrest  and if necessary ski bag  . Refer to 52 26 030 Removing And Installing Complete Centre Armrest For Rear Seat Backrest (Through-Loading)  and 52 26... Removing And Installing/Replacing Ski Bag With Casing On Rear Seat (Through-Loading System) 

Release screw (1).

Tightening torque, see 52 26 04AZ in 52 26 REAR SEATS (THROUGH-LOADING SYSTEM) .

Remove outer mount (2).

Fig 1: Identifying Screw & Outer Mount

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Lever out backrest cover all round with plastic wedge or screwdriver.

Fig 2: Levering Out Backrest Cover All Round With Plastic Wedge Or Screwdriver

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Lever cover with trim wires (1) out of metal claws (2) all round from skibag opening.

Remove backrest cover with padding from carrier section.

Fig 3: Identifying Trim Wires & Metal Claws

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Detaching cover and padding: 

• Release all retainers in marked area
• Remove cover from padding
• Remove remaining retainers from cover and padding
  Fig 4: Identifying Retainers In Marked Are

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation: 

Insert new retainer (2) with special tool 52 0 050  .

In so doing, enclose wire in padding and trim wire of cover and bend closed.

1. Padding
2. Retainer
3. Trim wire in padding
4. Trim wire in seat cover
5. Seat cover
   Fig 5: Inserting Retainer With Special Tool 52 0 050

   Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Replacing cover: 

• Remove all trim wires from cover
• If necessary, cut pockets in new cover for trim wires
• Push trim wires into cover pockets
  Fig 6: Identifying Cover Trim Wires

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.