52 13 405 Replacing backrest cover for left or right front seat (normal / manual)

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.

Special tools required:

52 0 050

See SEATS - SPECIAL TOOLS .

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove front seat
Remove guide sleeves

Version with seat heating only:

Unfasten plug connection (1) and disconnect.

Disconnect cable straps.

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: Identifying Plug Connection And Wiring Harness

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Detach backrest cover (1) from backrest frame.

Fig 2: Detaching Backrest Cover From Backrest Frame

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NOTE: For the following tasks, be sure without fail to:

Remove and install side airbag

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 3: Detaching 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 02AZ , see 72 12 AIRBAG MODULES .

Fig 4: Pulling Inner Bag

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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 5: Identifying Mounting Strip And Inner Bag With Backrest Cover

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Pull off backrest cover (1) with padding sideways and towards top from backrest frame.

Fig 6: Pulling Backrest Cover

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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 7: Identifying Backrest Cover Retainers Marked Area

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Installation:

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

Padding
Retainer
Trim thread in padding
Trim wire in backrest cover
Back-rest cover

Fig 8: Bending Retainer With Special Tool (52 0 050)

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Replacement of backrest cover:

Pull trim threads out of backrest cover.

Cut new backrest cover to size and insert trim threads.

Fig 9: Identifying Backrest Cover Cutting Area

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