How to remove rear seats

[glendog74]

I was bored today so thought that i'd remove the rear seats from the CSL ready for my next Ring trip!

It was pretty straightforward taking around 45 minutes and only needed a couple of tools. I was surprised at how heavy they were - despite being CSL 'lightweight' items. The backs in particular were heavy so a reasonable weight saving.

A short test drive afterwards reveals that it is somewhat noisier in the cabin - dare i say more like a race car with the full-blown SS Racing Lightweight Solutions sound track!

Step by step:

1. First remove both head rests. Simply pull up and forwards (towards you) to release.

2. Remove the lower seat bench by pulling upwards and out at the centre of the cushion - it comes away quite easily. The seat flexes and bows just enough to bend away from the CF rear panels and with some delicate manoeuvring can be removed without scratching anything.




3. Fold the seat backs down and remove the Torx bolt which sits behind the fold break.


4. Remove the cover using a screwdriver.


5. The seat back cams are visible once the cover is removed.


6. Simply lift each seat back a couple of inches at the break section to release the centre cam from the bracket. Then pulling the seat back toward the centre of the car, angle it up - twisting as you pull. You need to 'twist' the seat back as at the other end is an angled spigot which releases from its housing.




The side bolsters are slightly more difficult to remove and actually don't weigh much anyway. I wouldn't bother removing next time. Here's how anyway:

7. Remove the top fastener by depressing the small dot in the middle.


8. Remove the top plastic cover.


9. Using a long screwdriver, push on the fixing post to release its grip on the body shell. (photo shows having already been released)


10. Be careful and don't be too rough with the bolsters as you can snap a bracket easily - like this :


11. I then removed the black plastic cover strip as it would probably rattle without the seat backs in place.


12. Finally, i tie wrapped the seat belt buckles in place so that they don't move around. I didn't remove them as i didn't have a big enough Torx bit!


13. Job done!


Weight saving

Rear Headrests x 2 1060g
Seat Base 6000g
Seat Back (large) 4750g
Seat Back (small) 3550g
Side Bolsters x 2 2000g
Plastic parts 325g

Total: 17.685KG

[david]

great Job Rob and clear explications

can you make us the same sort of.... with the engin and the smg Gear box...

[Roland]

Rob, thanks for sharing

[shimmy]

7/16 torx does the isofix brackets and rear seatbelt sockets, I've got one in the toolbox.

I snapped both my brackets on the side bolsters. I've got a load of Mini black carpet for the rear and KarbonK had a great looking board with embossed carpet today in place of the rear seat backs. It must have taken him a week to crochet

all ust one step away from a rear cage now guys - GROUP BUY

[glendog74]

Originally Posted by shimmy

all ust one step away from a rear cage now guys - GROUP BUY

That's what i'm planning at some point. My CSL is not a daily driver and is a keeper over the long term

[shimmy]

Originally Posted by glendog74

That's what i'm planning at some point. My CSL is not a daily driver and is a keeper over the long term

Maybe same here next winter

karbonk had a good looking bolt in cage fitted

Didn't look too closely at the design which I will need to do if i get one but so far I've seen bolt in cages in Thorneys old CSL, Nathan(Ring matt grey), karbonk, and DuncanR

[GarageQueen]

Hi all,

I'm desperatly trying to find the BMW part number for this torx bolt in the picture below.

I've looked on the parts system and it only lists a hex bolt, which I ordered but was wrong.

Can anyone help wih this?

Originally Posted by glendog74

[NZ_M3]

item 5

[Alx]

Hello,

Does anyone have an update on how to remove the rear seat with pictures?

PhotoBucket seems to have ruined all the tutorials...