52 13 405 Replacing backrest cover for left or right front seat

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2016 BMW Z4, 2015 BMW Z4, and 2014 BMW Z4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

52 0 050

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Version with seat heating only:

Unfasten plug connection (1) and disconnect.

Detach cable tie.

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

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

Fig 1: Locating Seat Heating Plug Connection

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Installation:

Lay wiring harness without kinks and tension.

Unclip cable tie (1) from seat mechanism.

Fig 2: Identifying Cable Tie Of Seat Mechanism

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Release cable tie (1).

Installation:

Replace defective cable tie.

Open zip fastener (2).

Fig 3: Identifying Cable Tie And Zip Fastener

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Detach backrest cover (1) from backrest frame.

Fig 4: Removing Backrest Cover From Backrest Frame

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Unscrew nuts (1).

Installation:

Replace nuts.

Tightening torque 72 12 03AZ .

Fig 5: Identifying Front Left/Right Seat Nuts

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Detach mounting strip (4) from flexmat.

Carefully pull airbag module (3) with threaded pins out of backrest frame and feed out between padding (1) and inner bag (2).

Set down airbag module (3) to one side.

Fig 6: Removing Mounting Strip From Flexmat

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Installation:

Pull inner bag (1) fully over airbag module and threaded pins.

Feed in mounting strip (2) of inner bag (1) through backrest frame.

Insert threaded pins into backrest frame and secure with new nuts.

No inner bag material is permitted to project through the hole in the inner frame.

Install nuts and tighten down.

Tightening torques 72 12 03AZ .

Fig 7: Pulling Inner Bag Over Airbag Module And Threaded Pins

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Installation:

Inner bag must be between airbag module and backrest frame!

Engage mounting strip (1) of inner bag in flexmat.

Position inner bag (2) smoothly over backrest frame.

Engage backrest cover (3) in backrest frame.

Fig 8: Identifying Mounting Strip, Inner Bag And Backrest Cover

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Reposition backrest cover (1) at side and bottom and pull off with padding towards top from backrest frame.

Fig 9: Positioning Backrest Cover At Side And Bottom

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Release all retainers in marked area.

Remove backrest cover from padding.

NOTE: Remove all remnants of retainers from backrest cover and padding.

Fig 10: Identifying Retainers Marked Area

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Installation:

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

Padding
Retainer
Trim wire in padding
Trim wire in backrest cover
Backrest cover

Fig 11: Bending Retainer Using Special Tool (52 0 050)

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Replacement of backrest cover:

Pull trim wires out of backrest cover.

Cut new backrest cover to size and insert trim wires.

Fig 12: Identifying Backrest Cover

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