i just reupholstered the seats in my 91 325i convertible. it wasn't too bad, but i thought i'd do a quick write up with a basic "process" and some interesting tips i learned along the way.
general tips
1. get a good set of wire snips, you'll be doing a lot of cutting of hog rings and a good set will help a lot
2. get a good set of hog ring pliers and hog rings...you can get them on ebay...here's a pick of most of the tools i used (but not all)...hog ring pliers have the red handle.
process
so the basic process is to remove the seats from the car, remove the leather and replace in reverse order. this actually does work but you need to either take pictures or good notes so you don't forget how stuff goes back together.
start with the rears first. they are easiest and if you mess up a little, you won't see it everyday like you might with the fronts.
the rears are pretty easy as the leather is all in one piece. the biggest advice i can give is on the order in which you attach the listings (the thick wires that give the seat it's contour). on the bottom cushion there are 4 listings that make an # pattern. working on one side of the seat at a time, insert the vertical listing closest to the center and the topmost horizantal listing at the same time. Then start attaching in the top left and work you way down. The hardest part is being able to get your hand (with the hog ring pliers) in to position, and this is the best way i found to do it. save the outermost listing for last, that one is easy.
the fronts are twice as hard as the rears as they come in 7 different secitons per seat and you have to disassemble the seat to do it.
so again, take notes/pics along the way.
start by just removing all the hardware and base supports. there are two screws and two two wires that attach the backrest to the reclining mechanism.
once you have separated the backrest, bottom frame and relining mechanisms, separate the cushion sections from the frame by cutting the hog rings and pulling the leather out of all the hooks.
when you try to remove the extendable thigh support, you'll find that the inner j-channel is really hard to get out...well, the new one will be hard to get in as well, in fact impossible...so use a dremmel or something to grind out the rivets to release the plastic guides. just use screws to reattach it when the time comes...you'll thank me for this one.
someone pointed out that you may not have to remove the plastic bits. the slider can be removed from underneath, which i did, but it was still difficult to get the j-channel out without messing up the metal so i removed the plastic bits...it's up to you.
if you have heated seats, don't forget to take out the heater strips and reinsert them into the new cushion. pay attention to where the wires come out so they exit towards the rear of the seat on the side you want.
when it's time to put on the new leather on the cushions, insert the listing and then make a centerline mark with a sharpie. this will help you get the cushion exactly cenetered on the leather.
you have to cut two holes for the head rest posts to go through...i used a socket to provide a base and then cut through with a good knife...you may have another method that works fine, but this worked for me.
when putting the leather on the side bolsters, attach the inside first and then stretch the material and attach to the hooks. this will help smooth out any creases.
do yourself a favor and while you have the reclining mechanisms out, clean and lube them up good to ensure a long life.
another tip, when attaching the leather to the inside hooks, they may not be sharp enough to pierce the leather...don't force it or you may tare the leather...make a small cut with a knife to help out.
that's about it...i have pics of almost every step along the way...if you get caught, PM me and i'll see if i can help out.
here's the before and after:
the old
the new
general tips
1. get a good set of wire snips, you'll be doing a lot of cutting of hog rings and a good set will help a lot
2. get a good set of hog ring pliers and hog rings...you can get them on ebay...here's a pick of most of the tools i used (but not all)...hog ring pliers have the red handle.
process
so the basic process is to remove the seats from the car, remove the leather and replace in reverse order. this actually does work but you need to either take pictures or good notes so you don't forget how stuff goes back together.
start with the rears first. they are easiest and if you mess up a little, you won't see it everyday like you might with the fronts.
the rears are pretty easy as the leather is all in one piece. the biggest advice i can give is on the order in which you attach the listings (the thick wires that give the seat it's contour). on the bottom cushion there are 4 listings that make an # pattern. working on one side of the seat at a time, insert the vertical listing closest to the center and the topmost horizantal listing at the same time. Then start attaching in the top left and work you way down. The hardest part is being able to get your hand (with the hog ring pliers) in to position, and this is the best way i found to do it. save the outermost listing for last, that one is easy.
the fronts are twice as hard as the rears as they come in 7 different secitons per seat and you have to disassemble the seat to do it.
so again, take notes/pics along the way.
start by just removing all the hardware and base supports. there are two screws and two two wires that attach the backrest to the reclining mechanism.
once you have separated the backrest, bottom frame and relining mechanisms, separate the cushion sections from the frame by cutting the hog rings and pulling the leather out of all the hooks.
when you try to remove the extendable thigh support, you'll find that the inner j-channel is really hard to get out...well, the new one will be hard to get in as well, in fact impossible...so use a dremmel or something to grind out the rivets to release the plastic guides. just use screws to reattach it when the time comes...you'll thank me for this one.
someone pointed out that you may not have to remove the plastic bits. the slider can be removed from underneath, which i did, but it was still difficult to get the j-channel out without messing up the metal so i removed the plastic bits...it's up to you.
if you have heated seats, don't forget to take out the heater strips and reinsert them into the new cushion. pay attention to where the wires come out so they exit towards the rear of the seat on the side you want.
when it's time to put on the new leather on the cushions, insert the listing and then make a centerline mark with a sharpie. this will help you get the cushion exactly cenetered on the leather.
you have to cut two holes for the head rest posts to go through...i used a socket to provide a base and then cut through with a good knife...you may have another method that works fine, but this worked for me.
when putting the leather on the side bolsters, attach the inside first and then stretch the material and attach to the hooks. this will help smooth out any creases.
do yourself a favor and while you have the reclining mechanisms out, clean and lube them up good to ensure a long life.
another tip, when attaching the leather to the inside hooks, they may not be sharp enough to pierce the leather...don't force it or you may tare the leather...make a small cut with a knife to help out.
that's about it...i have pics of almost every step along the way...if you get caught, PM me and i'll see if i can help out.
here's the before and after:
the old
the new
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