# Back rest, remove and install.

Move seats fully rearward, remove caps from nuts and remove the 17mm nut from front of each rail. |
Move seats fully forward and remove the two 17mm bolts from rear of rails. |
Disconnect seatbelt switch wiring from below drivers seat |
Lift seat out of car carefully to avoid damaging paint or trim. |
Release back rest and lay forward. 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 handle knob on outside of seat shown. Shorter knob on inside edge of passenger seat is removed with the same method. Some force is required. |
Remove handle trim by prying on lower end. Lower end is secured by a push pin, upper end is secured by a hook, you must pull the lower end away from seat, then pull the trim downwards to release. |
Passenger seat: Remove screw from inner lever and remove. |
Pull seat back cover away from base of seat back and up to release from clips at top of seat back. Pull inboard side away from seat back and remove over handle on outboard side of seat by turning seatback cover as you remove it.
Unscrew plastic nut securing trim to each hinge. |
There is a pin securing the trim (blue arrow), approximately 50mm above the pin for the plastic screw (green arrow). |
Insert a long screwdriver behind the trim in this area and pry outwards to release. |
Gently pry tab back on white plastic cable guide and remove guide from each hinge. |
Pry tab back on cable end far enough to clear end of pin and remove cable on each hinge assembly. |
Remove the #3 Phillips screw from the back of each hinge. |
Heated seats: disconnect seat back heater wiring. |
Lift back rest straight up and off hinges. |

### Installation:

Ensure back rest seats correctly on hinges. |
Fit rear edge of side cover first. |
Ensure hinge section is in large cut out of sliding cover and cable is in small cutout. |
Hooks on back rest cover must engage frame. |
Screws for back rest cover must have load spreading washers fitted. |
Lever for inboard side of passenger seat must be inserted into slot in mechanism before installing screw. |

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