twisted seat back- some comments from own experience

[shogun]

twisted seat back
Winfred
http://bellsouthpwp.net/m/i/miales/seatcablesfix.htm
Gale
http://www.nmia.com/~dgnrg/page_11.htm
Johan - recling seat
http://bmwe32.masscom.net/johan/reclining_seat/reclining_seat.html

Some hints from my side based on Saturday's experience: to get the metal sleeve off at the end of the bowden cable I used a cigarette lighter. That makes the rubber soft and the sleeve comes off easy. Then cut the portion off, I measured the depth of the motor piece where the cable goes in is about 13-15 mm.
So measure first what is left on the orgiginal sticking out from the bowden cable, in my case only 3.6 mm, then cut off as much as you need.
To install the end piece sleeve properly again and really push it to the place where it belongs, I again used a lighter and the sleeve could be pushed onto the rubber easily.
No need to bend or cut the sleeve, really easy to use heat.

And the trick to make the seat back really straight again:
We used a tape measure, set it on the seat bottom on one side at a fixed point, and on the top on the headrest at one point.
Then did the same on the other side of the seat. So we could adjust the seat back 100% to fit as original.
As we had the seat out, we of course did not have power, so we used the bowden cable with a electric power tool attached to it and turned it into the correct position, then fitted the bowden cable onto the motor.

To remove the seat belt, you have to drive the seat forward and up as much as possible, then you have access to the bolt which holds the seat belt onto the seat. We did not know that and removed the side plastic panel, unnecessary work.

AND: in case the seat does not move at all, the motor for the seat movement has on the side towards front of seat a metal bush sticking out (on passenger side it is the side to the door). Use a long screwdriver which fits into this metal bush and turn it and the seat moves. Faster it can be done by using a power tool with extension and bit.

[myles]

Nicely described. I've just done this recently too on both of my seats. One more thing worth mentioning is that the memory seats have the monitor units which means that there should be close to 45mm of inner cable protruding from the end of the cable.

[sbihue]

Looks like I have to do it on the Drivers seat now with one side stuck and the other moving.

I had read someplace that it is possible to do this repair without removing the seat. If it is indeed possible, where to attempt the repair from with the seat raised to its full height? Front with the car seat all the way back or from the rear with the seat all the way forward.

I had taken a quick peek under the seat and see two motors, one on each side, next to the seat rail. Are those the motors I should be looking at or are the ones for seat recline located else where?

Thanks

[shogun]

you can do it with the seat in the car. Remove the headrest, remove the 2 bolts at the rear of the seat rail which hold it, then turn/tilt the seat all way forward. Use a good/strong piece of wood to keep the seat up, it is quite heavy when you work on it.
What you can see under the seat now are the motors for the seat forward<>backward moving probably. Check the pics in above and below links.
http://bellsouthpwp.net/m/i/miales/seatcablesfix.htm
Also the Bentley Repair Manual tells you which motor is for what.
If you are not sure, move the seat/back and touch the motors with your hand, then you know what motor is running when something is moving.
some more pics for easier understanding
http://www.pagaduan.org/bmwe32/images/Fahrersitz_01.jpg
http://www.pagaduan.org/bmwe32/images/Fahrersitz_02.jpg
http://www.pagaduan.org/bmwe32/images/Fahrersitz_03.jpg
http://www.pagaduan.org/bmwe32/images/Fahrersitz_04.jpg
http://www.pagaduan.org/bmwe32/images/Fahrersitz_05.jpg
http://www.pagaduan.org/bmwe32/images/Fahrersitz_06.jpg
measurement is milimeters
http://www.pagaduan.org/bmwe32/images/Fahrersitz_07.jpg
http://www.pagaduan.org/bmwe32/images/Fahrersitz_08.jpg
http://www.pagaduan.org/bmwe32/images/Fahrersitz_09.jpg
http://www.pagaduan.org/bmwe32/images/Fahrersitz_10.jpg
http://www.pagaduan.org/bmwe32/images/Fahrersitz_11.jpg
http://www.pagaduan.org/bmwe32/images/Fahrersitz_12.jpg

NO hotlinking of these pics pls, server of my friend will have probs, download the pics if required.

[Jehu]

I actually just flipped myself upside down and did it half blind kind of on my head with the seat merely tilted to the front up. It was rather painful to both my joints and hands when slamming them here and there while pulling the cable out and trying to shove it back in but I did it ,lol. if you have the time and ability though its not that much more effort to do it properly..

[sbihue]

Thanks Shogun and Jehu for all the info and tips. I am on bthe road now and with memorial day holiday next week, the soonest I will bve able to do this is the first weekend of June. This gives me enough time to prep and get all the tools.

[shogun]

and up with this one as someone asked me for diy links

[cor_van_de_water]

I still have a box full of motors, standard seat harness and control switches plus a cable and even the seat belt buckle, all removed from my 530i driver seat that had the seat back so badly destroyed by the previous owner that I had to replace the seat. (I was able to salvage the passenger seat, even though its seat back was also crooked from one cable failing, until I took care of that.
Let me know if you need any part from a standard seat.

[liljos]

i did this a few weekends ago and it was a complete success :D no more seat twist.

[dt8068]

I've done this the same way using a lighter to pull out the cable, then a razor blade to trim back the black sheathing. If you remove a seat, do ALL of the cables on the seat including the headrest because they will fail sooner or later.