BMW Repair: Re: front seat recliner, cable sheath, plastic sheath


Question
Hi I have a 528i. The problem is the seat is reclining only on one side which is the inboard side. So when the seat reclines back it is twisting. The outboard side stays in the up position. Any ideas on what it is? And how do I take the seat apart? Thanks... Pascual

Answer
Pascual, remove the four seat rail retaining bolts. One in each corner of the seat rails. With the seat loose, tip it back so you can see the motor on the front of the seat bottom that controls the backrest movement. Figure out the which motor by operation of the switch. Motor is attached to two cables that run gearboxes at the base of the backrest. For some reason the plastic cable sheath shrinks over time and pulls the cable out of the motor or gear box. Get some 3/8" fuel line (one footlong section) or the like and you'll need four fuel line clamps to go over the fuel line. Find the cable sheath that goes to the gear box on either side of the motor. Take a knife and in an open area cut the black plastic cable sheath and pull the cable out of one end. Cut a 1/4" section of the plastic sheath off. Cut a section of fuel line to splice the plastic sheath back together one you have reinserted the cable and are sure it is engaged in the motor and gearbox on it's respective ends. The section of hose 2-3" is just to rejoin the sheath. Use your fuel line clamps to secure the hose. Do the same for the cable on the other side. If the cable, motor, or gearbox is damaged then you will need to replace the affected components. Not a bad idea to do the other seat as well. Hope you could follow all of that. This is the cheap repair. You will need to retime the two cables and make sure the backrest is straight and the gearboxes are in the same spot to take care of the twist.
-Evan