Replacing the Bowden cable...

[ckk0721]

I have the power seats and the cable has broken underneath the seat. Does anyone know of any instructions on how to replace it on the power seats? Thanks in advance.

Kevin

[BadGTho]

what seats do you have?

[slickfast]

There are some DIY's online about how to do this, otherwise I would have made one. It's pretty simple:

1. Take out the seat by removing the 4 bolts that hold the seat on. Note the front bolts have caps on them. BEFORE you undo all of the little connections under the seat especially the occupancy sensor, disconnect the battery to avoid getting an airbag light.

2. Remove the headrest by pulling. Remove the two torx screws at the bottom of the seat back (if you have a 96+, otherwise you will have staples). Remove the side levers by pulling/gently prying. Remove the lever housings with a screwdriver wrapped in a rag and prying.

3. Take off the seatback, should just come off at this point.

4. From here you can see the cable, so just follow where it goes and replace accordingly. Installation is reverse, shouldn't be anything different.

[BadGTho]

again.. what seats do you have.. vaders or non?

[slickfast]

Right, I should clarify: I can only verify that the above process works for vaders.

[BadGTho]

Originally Posted by slickfast

Right, I should clarify: I can only verify that the above process works for vaders.

right.. i've never tried to take lux seats apart.. only removed them to cast them aside for proper seats.

it's probably similar, but the headrests are so different i'm just not sure.

[slickfast]

Originally Posted by BadGTho

right.. i've never tried to take lux seats apart.. only removed them to cast them aside for proper seats.

it's probably similar, but the headrests are so different i'm just not sure.

yeah, I would do the same. I would say the process is generally the same: remove all the crap you need to in order to get the seatback off, remove seatback, replace cable, reinstall. And if you have lux seats, replace them with vaders right meow.

[ckk0721]

Thanks for the replies. I have the lux seats. I already have the seat out. I can see the broken end of the cable. The problem is that there is a brace(that's welded in) that runs nearly directly under where the cable goes into the mechanism( for lack of better term) under the seat. Tight space.
The headrest is another story. I have pulled on it and it does not want to come off. There are 2 torx screws on the bottom of the seatback, so I may not need to remove the headrest to complete the job. Just don't know.
When I get rid of the lux seats, looking for some recaros, etc....I would like to de-lux the interior ( wood accents), but parts seem to be hard to find. Thanks.

Kevin

[slickfast]

Good move on the de-lux. I would definitely remove the torx screws... no reason to leave the chance of them holding anything on. You DO need to remove the headrest. The headrests have a ball at the end of each little shaft so that you don't pull the headrest off accidentally. Try cocking the headrest to the side. It's going to take some force, you've just got to yank it to overcome the spring that holds it in.

As for the cable, it will probably be removable once you get the seatback off. It is a little tight under there, but completely do-able. Again, not sure about the lux seats, but they can't be that different.

[ckk0721]

Thanks for your help guys. Y'all were right. I do have to take the headrest off! We'll see how it goes. Thanks once again.

Kevin