Help please.
Does anyone know the trick to removing the back panel on the electric seats. I have found two screws at the bottom of the seats but don't see how one removes the panel after those are removed. The electric head rest stopped working. Changed out the switch. Still not moving? I'm sure its simple but I have learned not to force things long ago.

Thanks
Dave

Yes, the trick is to first remove the edge of the side material that curls into the channel of the back panel edge. It helps to pry up on this edge from the bottom with a thin screwdriver and work upwards. A seat that hasn't been apart for a while will be very sticky at this seam, almost as though it's glued together.

The plastic rack and pinion mechanism that operates the headrest is usually the problem. The fix should be obvious once the back panel is off.

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95 E320 Cabriolet, 159K

From the bottom of the seat their is no give. I'm sure once seen it all makes sense I just don't understand how you work the side panel. My learning issue. I'm afraid to bend the back panel to far. The side seams solid. Not sure how to tackle the side.
Anyone have a picture?
thanks.

dave

It won't be obvious until you get one off for the first time.

The seatback edges fit into a groove along the seat. The edges are held in place because of the tension on the lumbar support.

Assuming you are doing this from the back of the seat, to relieve tension, pull the lumbar towards you on either side (depending on which side you are trying to remove first) and you can coax the seatback edge off by grabbing the bottom of the seatback and pulling gently. As the bottom edge is separated, you can grab along the edge and pull the rest of the way.

Someone here posted pics on this on another thread, and there are several threads on this topic.

The prevalent cause of the headrest failure is a broken slider. When it fails, it no longer attaches to the headrest properly, so you can lower the headrest, but not raise it.

The part can be obtained thru FastLane, and goes for about $15.

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Thanks for all the help.
I will follow your instructions.
Dave