52 13 400 Replacing seat cover on left or right front seat (normal/manual)

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2007 BMW M6, 2006 BMW M6, 2005 BMW 645Ci, and 2004 BMW 645Ci. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Special tools required:

NOTE: For special tools, refer to SEATS - SPECIAL TOOLS - 645CI (E63) .

52 0 050

WARNING: US/CND front passenger seat (with OC3 mat) only:

Seat cover must not be separated from padding.

All parts must be replaced completely and released with the diagnosis system in event of defective seat cover, seat heating, OC3 mat or padding.

Necessary preliminary tasks:

Remove inner cover, refer to 52 13 041 REMOVING AND INSTALLING / REPLACING INNER COVER ON LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SEAT BACKREST (NORMAL/ MANUAL) .
Remove cover (normal/electric), refer to 52 16 040 REMOVING AND INSTALLING/REPLACING OUTER COVER ON FRONT LEFT OR RIGHT SEAT (SPORTS/ELECTRIC) , or outer actuating unit.

Seat with electric actuating unit only:

Release screws (1).

Pull trim (2) out a little and release screw (3).

Release clip (5) from carrier (4).

Remove trim (2) and carrier (4).

Fig 1: Removing Trim And Carrier

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Installation:

Cable holders (1) on carrier (2) must not be damaged.

Fig 2: Identifying Cable Holders On Carrier

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E46 only:

Pull out tongue (1) on seat cover (2) on left/right.

Fig 3: Pulling Out Tongue On Seat Cover On Left/Right (E46 Only)

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Detach seat cover (1) from seat frame (2).

Fig 4: Detaching Seat Cover From Seat Frame

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Version with seat occupancy detector:

If necessary, disconnect plug connection (1) from control unit (2).

Fig 5: Identifying Control Unit And Plug Connection (Version With Seat Occupancy Detector)

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Version with seat heating:

If necessary, lever catch (1) towards top and detach cover (2).

Fig 6: Detaching Cover (Version With Seat Heating)

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Disconnect plug connection (1) from seat heating.

Fig 7: Disconnecting Plug Connection From Seat Heating

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Disconnect plug connection (1) from seat heating.

Expose cable (2).

Fig 8: Identifying Cable

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Release retainers (1) on left/right.

Pull out cover tabs (2) on left/right.

Fig 9: Pulling Out Cover Tabs

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Pull out cover welt (1) completely from seat frame (2).

Fig 10: Pulling Out Cover Welt Completely From Seat Frame

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Installation:

Begin assembly in middle.

Cover piping (1) and seat frame (2) have markings for middle position.

Fig 11: Identifying Middle Position Marking Of Piping And Seat Frame

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Fold in tongues (1) on seat cover and push through under backrest (2) towards front.

Fig 12: Folding In Tongues (1) On Seat Cover And Pushing Through Under Backrest (2)

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Model without seat heating and without seat occupancy detector:

Remove seat cover (1) towards front/top.

Fig 13: Removing Seat Cover Towards Front/Top (Model Without Seat Heating And Without Seat Occupancy Detector)

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Version with seat heater and/or with seat occupancy detector:

Pull seat cover (1) forward a little and feed cable (2) out.

Remove seat cover (1) towards front/top.

Fig 14: Removing Seat Cover Towards Front/Top (Version With Seat Heater And/Or With Seat Occupancy Detector)

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Installation:

The support is coated with wax to prevent grinding noises.

Do not remove wax (1) on seat pan (2).

NOTE: The operation "Removing complete seat cushion" ends here.

Fig 15: Identifying Wax On Seat Pan

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US/CND front passenger seat (with OC3 mat) only:

New seat cover must be completely installed with padding, seat heating and OC3 mat.

Release seat occupancy detector:

Connect diagnosis system
Release seat occupancy detector
Clear fault memory if necessary

The operation "Replacing seat cover for front seat" ends here for the above-mentioned vehicles.

Replacing support:

Detach retainers (1) at rear left/right from support (2).

Fig 16: Detaching Retainers At Rear Left/Right From Support

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Release all retainers.

Remove seat cover from support (foam rubber section).

Remove all remnants of clips from seat cover and support.

Fig 17: Removing All Remnants Of Clips From Seat Cover And Support

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Installation:

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

Fig 18: Bending New Clips With Special Tool 52 0 050

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Installation:

The support is coated with wax to prevent grinding noises.

Do not remove wax (1) on support (2).

Fig 19: Identifying Wax On Support

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Passenger seat only (replacing support):

Installation:

Make sure foam is not extensively damaged (malfunction of passenger seat occupancy detector).

Fit new sensor mat (1) for passenger seat occupancy detector.

Align new sensor mat (1) on foam (2).

Feed plug (3) through bore hole (4).

Fig 20: Aligning Sensor Mat On Foam

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Passenger seat only (replacing sensor mat):

Passenger seat only (replacing support):

Installation:

Detach liner (1) at individual points and stick sensor mat (2) onto foam (3).

Fig 21: Detaching Liner (1) At Individual Points And Sticking Sensor Mat (2) Onto Foam (3)

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NOTE: The work for "Replacing support" ends here.

Passenger seat only (replacing sensor mat):

Pull plug (1) out of bore hole (2).

Make sure foam is not extensively damaged (malfunction of passenger seat occupancy detector).

Carefully remove sensor mat (3) from support (4).

Fig 22: Removing Sensor Mat From Support

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NOTE: The operation "Replacing sensor mat" ends here.

Replacing seat cover:

Remove trim threads (1) from seat cover (2).

Cut new seat cover (2) to size and insert trim threads (1).

Cable (3) for seat heating.

Fig 23: Removing Seat Cover

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