DIY: removing front seats

**old skool** · 03-12-2005, 08:04 PM

Make sure you disconnect the battery and wait for at least 15-30 minutes before you remove the seats to avoid getting the air bag light in the dash.

Slide the seat back to reveal the front nuts.
You will see black plastic caps to cover them.

**old skool** · 03-12-2005, 08:04 PM

Remove the caps

**old skool** · 03-12-2005, 08:05 PM

remove the nuts

**old skool** · 03-12-2005, 08:06 PM

slide the seat forward to reveal the bolts in the back.

**old skool** · 03-12-2005, 08:06 PM

lean the seat back to see the connecting cables underneath

**old skool** · 03-12-2005, 08:07 PM

disconnect the grommet holding the wires out of the way

**old skool** · 03-12-2005, 08:07 PM

disconnect all the cables and take the seat out.

**old skool** · 03-12-2005, 08:08 PM

.

**hellrot325** · 03-12-2005, 08:47 PM

Good post. I would add to mark the cables as a couple seem to be interchangeable IIRC. Also need to engage/disengage the seat belt tensioner...here's a pic. Turn screw CW, indicator turns red (deactivated). When reinstalling ,turn screw CCW, indicator turns green (activated)

**WildStorm** · 03-13-2005, 12:38 AM

I always just unplug the cords under the seats, ive taken my seats out two or three times and never had a problem with the airbag light comiing on.

**hellrot325** · 03-13-2005, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by WildStorm

I always just unplug the cords under the seats, ive taken my seats out two or three times and never had a problem with the airbag light comiing on.

Just don't turn on the ignition

**old skool** · 03-13-2005, 11:50 AM

I don't understand about the seat belt tensioner. I have never done anything with this and I have removed a bunch of seats....can you explain why this is necessary?

**hellrot325** · 03-13-2005, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by old skool

I don't understand about the seat belt tensioner. I have never done anything with this and I have removed a bunch of seats....can you explain why this is necessary?

Its really only necessary if you will be taking the seats apart or working on them...I've only taken seats out for that purpose. Not knowing why someone would be using your DIY to remove their seats I just threw it in. Takes two seconds and provides safety against the belt tensioning.

**hellrot325** · 03-13-2005, 01:11 PM

Originally Posted by parolof

So You need not disarm the seat belt tensioner if You're just taking the seat out???

Not really, but I would.

**old skool** · 04-10-2005, 02:14 PM

I can't find a screw or an indicator on mine....95 M3 vaders....any suggestions?

**BabyM** · 04-10-2005, 03:22 PM

Socket size would help too!

16mm --and this will work on the nuts for the backseat belt anchors as well

I regularly take out my passenger seat and back seat for trips to the drag strip --and that alone is enough to put racing seats at the top of my 'to do' list. Power seats are heavy

**old skool** · 04-10-2005, 05:48 PM

Check the picture of the socket. The size is etched on there.

**BreezyM3** · 04-29-2005, 07:18 AM

i want to take my seats out but tried doing it a few weeks back and couldnt disconnect the seat belt tensioner so gave up

however i do want to get both seats out so if i undo the bolts first and tilt the seat back will it be easier to remove the seat belt tensioner then, im am in the UK BTW

I dont want to end up locking the seat belt!

**hellrot325** · 04-29-2005, 07:41 AM

Originally Posted by BreezyM3

will it be easier to remove the seat belt tensioner then

Yes.

**parolof** · 04-29-2005, 09:44 AM

I think it looks quite risky to disarm the belt tensioner, I mean if I'm not taking the seats apart, just removing them for whatever reason, it would be safer not to touch 'em, or

**hellrot325** · 04-29-2005, 09:45 AM

Originally Posted by parolof

I think it looks quite risky to disarm the belt tensioner, I mean if I'm not taking the seats apart, just removing them for whatever reason, it would be safer not to touch 'em, or

Just turn a screw 1/4 turn is risky

**Gofast** · 04-29-2005, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by hellrot325

Just turn a screw 1/4 turn is risky

I agree. What risk is involved? That screw is made to be turned.
It's like putting the saftey on on a gun.
IMO, it's much more risky to work on a seat that may pop the tensioner unexpectedly at any time.

**parolof** · 04-30-2005, 04:55 AM

Well, what I mean is this, see Link it looks like it's easy to loose grip of the sensor wire and make more damage then good, or is it enought to just turn the screw CW to de-active it?? i.e are there two ways of doing it???

**hellrot325** · 04-30-2005, 09:53 AM

Originally Posted by parolof

Well, what I mean is this, see Link it looks like it's easy to loose grip of the sensor wire and make more damage then good, or is it enought to just turn the screw CW to de-active it?? i.e are there two ways of doing it???

Through 1996 a mechaical spring tensioner is used, and should be deactivated as desribed. 1997 and newer E36's have a pyrotechnic tensioner, and the orange harness connector should be disconnected from the tensioner any time the seat is removed.

**hellrot325** · 04-30-2005, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by parolof

You mean 1997 and newer?? Ok I'll have a look and see what I've got, the car is a 92, but has vader seats

Yes I do...shouldn't post before the first cup of coffee (or after the tenth beer

)

Thread: DIY: removing front seats

Thread Tools

DIY: removing front seats

Belt tensioner

Risky

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions