52 25 532 Replacing lower armrest section for rear seat backrest

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2005 BMW 745i, 2004 BMW 745i, 2003 BMW 745i, and 2002 BMW 745i. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove armrest for rear seat backrest. Refer to 52 25 030 REMOVING AND INSTALLING COMPLETE ARMREST FOR REAR SEAT BACKREST .
Remove rear center head restraint. Refer to 52 25 388 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING REAR MIDDLE HEAD RESTRAINT .

Drive through pin (1) to center.

Fig 1: Removing Upper Armrest Section

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Fold up upper armrest section (4) and remove towards top.

Installation:

Feed spring (2) into opening.

Unclip wiring harness (3).

Release retainer (1).

Fig 2: Removing Retainer And Shaft

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Remove shaft (2).

Bend open holder (3) on left and right and remove.

Installation:

When installing holder (3), do not damage lower armrest section.

Unclip trim (1) with assembly wedge (2) and remove.

Fig 3: Removing Assembly Wedge

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NOTE: Remove control unit in rear center armrest. Refer to 61 31 156 REMOVING AND INSTALLING (REPLACING) CONTROL UNIT IN CENTER ARMREST AT REAR .

Release screws (1).

Fig 4: Removing Switch Unit

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Unclip switch unit (2) on left and right with assembly wedge (4) and remove.

Slide side trim (3) on left and right in direction of arrow as far as it will go and remove.

Unclip front trim (5) with assembly wedge (4) and remove towards front.

Release left and right screws (1).

Fig 5: Removing Trim

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Remove trim (2).

When replacing trim:

Release screw (1) and remove lock (2).

Fig 6: Removing Screw And Lock

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Remove switch unit (1) on left and right towards top.

Fig 7: Removing Switch Unit

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Installation:

Slide switch unit (1) on left and right into guide.

Unclip storage tray (1) with assembly wedge (2) and remove towards top.

Fig 8: Removing Storage Tray

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Unlock head restraint guide (1) (from inside of front storage tray (3)).

Fig 9: Removing Head Restraint Guide

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Lever out head restraint guide (1) with assembly wedge (2) at side and remove towards top.

Installation:

Head restraint guides on left and right must not be mixed up.