# Reclining mechanism, remove and install.

The seat back rest is raised from the laid back position by means of two gas struts on the hinge mechanism. These struts are only two of four on the seat, and are located on the inside of the hinge assemblies. These two struts can be replaced without removing the seat in most instances.
Move seat fully rearward, remove caps from nuts and remove the 17mm nut from front of each rail. |
Move seat fully forward and remove the two 17mm bolts from rear rails. |
Disconnect seatbelt switch wiring from below drivers seat |
Remove plastic screws and pull off side cover. |
Remove seat back release cable from reclining mechanism by prying up tab and sliding ring over pin. |
Remove white plastic retainer from seat reclining mechanism by prying back tab and sliding upwards. |
Remove screw from each lower corner of backrest cover. |
Pull knobs off release handles by inserting a small screw driver between the knob and the plastic base. Long knob on outside of seats shown. Shorter handle on inside of passenger seat is removed in the same way. |
Passenger seat: Remove screw from inner handle and remove handle. |
Push seatback cover up to disengage clips (photo) and remove over handle on outside of seat by turning seatback cover as you remove it. |
Remove the two large Phillips head screws from the backrest. Slide back rest up and off the reclining mechanism arms. |
Remove 17mm bolts from each side of the seat rail, one side secures the seat belt latch. There may be a plastic cover over the outside bolt, pry this cover off with a screwdriver. |
Pry off the release lever on the pivot of the mechanism. |
Remove C clip from shaft. |
Unlock seat back release lever and rotate entire assembly until head of pivot shaft is at large end of opening. |
Lift assembly up off pivot shaft and seat rail. |
DANGER : Do not use a finger to unlock mechanism. Spring struts are under pressure and injury will result. Use a screwdriver to move back the lever.

E30 M3 Repair Manual V2.7. Copyright ©1999-2001 Koala Motorsport & Brett Anderson