52 17... Removing and installing/replacing all covers on left or right seat rails

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 BMW 550i GT, 2012 BMW 550i GT, 2011 BMW 550i GT, and 2010 BMW 550i GT. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Unclip front upper rail cover (1) on left and right from upper rail cover (2).

Pull cover (1) forward while pressing cover (2) rearward.

Fig 1: Pulling Front Upper Rail Cover

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Cover, top rail, front:

Move seat backwards and upwards
Unclip trim (1) towards top and detach towards top

Fig 2: Removing Outer Upper Rail Trim
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Clips in marked area must not be broken.

Replace cover if necessary.

Fig 3: Identifying Clips Installation Area On Cover

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Installation note:

Clip cover with clips (1) at top into seat mechanism.

Apply silicone grease on the inner surface of clips (1) to prevent creaking noise.

Fig 4: Identifying Silicone Grease Applying Area On Inner Surface Of Clips

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Installation note:

Tilt cover in downward direction.

Clip in cover on left and right.

Fig 5: Tilting Cover

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Cover, top rail, side:

Feed cover out of seat mechanism:

upwards,
slide towards rear

Feed out cover.

Fig 6: Feeding Trim Out Of Seat Mechanism

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Installation note:

Risk of damage!

First correctly insert cover into guide in rear area.

Clip cover into front area.

Replace trim cover in the case of white stress fracture.

Fig 7: Identifying Cover Installing Positions On Rear Guide

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Remove front seat cover:

Unclip cover (1) on front seat.

Fig 8: Identifying Front Seat Cover

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Installation note:

Remove metal clamps (1) left and right on the cover.

Bend up metal clamps and insert back into the cover.

Clip metal clamps (1) with cover into the centre slot on the seat mechanism.

Guide lugs may not be broken.

Renew faulty cover if necessary.

Fig 9: Removing Metal Clamps Left And Right On Cover

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Cover, bottom rail, front:

Move seat backwards
Unclip cover tongue towards top, sliding trim towards front slightly
Pull inside surface of cover inwards slightly and unclip
Detach cover towards front from bottom rail

Installation note:

Place cover on bottom rail and slide towards rear to engage, feeding in below cover, top rail, outer.

Ensure retaining lug is fitted correctly in area (2).

Press and snap in inside and outside of trim cover on seat rail.

Fig 10: Disconnecting Front Cover From Bottom Rail

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Cover must not show any white fracture in marked area.

Replace cover if necessary.

Fig 11: Identifying Fracture Area Of Cover

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Retaining lugs in marked area must not be broken.

Replace cover if necessary.

Check that retaining lugs are locked in correctly.

Fig 12: Identifying Retaining Lugs

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Cover, bottom rail, rear:

Move seat forwards
Unclip cover tongue towards top
Pull inside surface of cover inwards
Detach cover towards rear from bottom rail

Installation note:

Ensure retaining lug is fitted correctly in area (2).

Press and snap in inside and outside of trim cover on seat rail.

Fig 13: Disconnecting Rear Cover From Bottom Rail

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Cover must not show any white fracture in marked area.

Replace cover if necessary.

Fig 14: Identifying Fracture Area Of Cover

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Retaining lugs in marked area must not be broken.

Replace cover if necessary.

Check that retaining lugs are locked in correctly.

Fig 15: Identifying Retaining Lugs

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Installation note:

Clips and hooks must not be damaged.

Make sure trims are exactly seated.

After completing tasks, move seat and make sure that cover does not move.