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

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: Removing Front Upper Rail Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Trim, top rail, front:

• Move seat backwards and upwards
• Unclip trim (1) towards top and detach towards top
  Fig 2: Removing Outer Upper Rail Cover

  Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Clips in marked area must not be broken.

Replace cover if necessary.

Fig 3: Identifying Clips Installation Area On Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note: 

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

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

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

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note: 

Tilt cover in downward direction.

Clip in cover on left and right.

Fig 5: Tilting Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Cover, top rail, side:

Feed cover out of seat mechanism:

1. upwards,
2. slide rearwards

Feed out cover.

Fig 6: Removing Cover From Seat Mechanism

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note: 

Risk of damage! 

First correctly insert cover into guide in rear area.

Clip cover into front area.

Replace cover in the case of white stress fracture.

Fig 7: Identifying Cover Inserting Area

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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 center 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

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Cover, bottom rail, front:

1. Move seat backwards
2. Unclip cover tongue towards top, sliding trim towards front slightly
3. Pull inside surface of cover inwards slightly and unclip
4. 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.

Fig 10: Removing Front Cover From Bottom Rail

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Press and snap in the trim on the inside and outside on the seat rail.

Cover must not show any white fracture in marked area.

Replace cover if necessary.

Fig 11: Identifying Fracture Cover Area

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Cover, bottom rail, rear:

1. Move seat forwards
2. Unclip trim tongue towards top
3. Pull inside surface of cover inwards
4. Detach cover towards rear from bottom rail

Installation note: 

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

Press and snap in the trim on the inside and outside on the seat rail.

Fig 13: Removing Rear Cover From Bottom Rail

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Cover must not show any white fracture in marked area.

Replace cover if necessary.

Fig 14: Identifying Fracture Area Of Cover

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

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

Courtesy of BMW OF NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Installation note: 

Clips and hooks must not be damaged.

Make sure covers are exactly seated.

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