52 13 030 Removing and installing/replacing backrest frame on left or right front seat

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 BMW M3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front seat
Remove rear panel on front seat backrest

Unclip cable (2).

Release airbag wiring harness (2) from cable holders on seat mechanism.

Cut through cable ties.

Raise release clip (3) and pull plug (4) out of plug housing (1).

Fig 1: Pulling Plug Out Of Plug Housing

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Installation:

Always feed in cable tie (1) at narrow end of plug housing in direction of arrow.

Cables must be secured with insulation under cable tie.

Firmly tighten cable tie (1) to relieve strain. It must not be possible to move the cable.

Make sure plug (2) is correctly locked in plug housing (3).

Fig 2: Firmly Tighten Cable Tie (1) To Relieve Strain

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Unfasten plug connection (1) and disconnect.

Unclip cable.

Release wiring harness (3) from cable holders on seat mechanism.

Unfasten plug connection (2) and disconnect.

IMPORTANT: Feed all wiring harnesses carefully through the seat and backrest mechanism as the edges of the frame can be sharp.

Fig 3: Identifying Plug Connection And Wiring Harness

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E81, E82, E88, E92 only:

Unhook seat covers on left and right.

Unclip ball socket (1) from ball head on left and right.

Installation:

Ball socket (1) must snap audibly into place.

Ball socket (1) must be able to move freely on ball head.

Actuate rear catch and remove guide for Bowden cable (2) towards rear with a turning motion.

Fig 4: Identifying Bowden Cable And Ball Socket

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Unhook backrest cover (1) on left and right.

Release screws (2) on left and right.

Tightening torque 52 10 02AZ , see 52 10 FRONT SEATS .

Remove backrest frame (3) completely towards top.

Fig 5: Unhooking Backrest Cover On Left And Right

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Replacement:

Remove backrest cover with padding. See 52 13 405 Replacing backrest cover for left or right front seat (normal / manual) , 52 15 405 Replacing backrest cover for left or right front seat (sport/manual) or 52 16 405 Replacing backrest cover for left or right front seat (M3 sport seat) .