Removing and installing backrest cover and padding - split rear seat backrest — AUDI
Removing and installing backrest cover and padding - split rear seat backrest on Audi: 23 steps. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.
On the Audi A6/A7 C7 (4G) and related codes listed below, the split rear backrest cover and its padding come off the frame together, with the backrest removed from the car first. Each section needs its head restraints, guides and lock trim off, then the clips around the inner pivot pin are released and the fastening strip is prised off the outer frame all the way round, starting at the locking mechanism. What else comes off depends on the equipment: the armrest trim or storage box, the centre belt guide on three-seat backrests, and on the load-through section the armrest flap and hatch trim frame. If seat heating is fitted, its connector must be moved clear before the cover is lifted away.
🧭 Before you start
Remove the backrest, rear head restraints and locking mechanism trim. Release the clips at the inner pivot and prise the fastening strip off the outer frame, starting at the lock. Clear the seat heating connector, remove the head restraint guides and lift the cover and padding off. For the centre and load-through sections, remove armrest trim, storage box, centre belt guide, armrest flap and hatch trim frame as fitted, and unhook the piping before lifting the cover.
Fits: Audi A6/A7 C7 (4G, 2011–2018); platform code 4X
Don't miss
- Start prising the fastening strip at the locking mechanism and work round the frame.
- Move the seat heating connector clear before pulling the cover off.
- On the centre section, unhook the cover piping from the frame hooks first.
- Check the equipment version; storage box and three-seat backrests add extra trim removal.
Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.
📋 Procedure
- Remove rear seat backrest .
- Remove head restraint (rear) .
- Remove trim for locking mechanism .
- Release clips (1) for backrest cover from outer backrest frame around inner pivot pin using removal lever3409.
- Starting at locking mechanism, prise fastening strip (2) for backrest cover off outer backrest frame (3) all around (arrow) using a screwdriver.
- Equipment version with seat heating: Move clear electrical connector for seat heating.
- Remove head restraint guides (rear) .
- Detach backrest cover (1) with backrest padding from outer backrest frame.
- Equipment version without storage box: Remove trim for centre armrest (rear) .
- Equipment version with storage box: Remove storage box in centre console (rear) .
- Equipment version with 3-seat rear seat backrest: Remove centre belt guide (rear) .
- Disengage piping (2) for backrest cover in opening in backrest padding for centre armrest (rear) from hooks (1) of outer backrest frame.
- Starting at locking mechanism, prise fastening strip (2) for backrest cover off outer backrest frame (3) all around (arrow) using a screwdriver.
- Equipment version with seat heating: Move clear electrical connector for seat heating.
- Remove head restraint guides (rear) .
- Detach backrest cover (1) with backrest padding from outer backrest frame.
- Remove centre armrest (rear) with flap for load-through hatch .
- Remove trim frame for load-through hatch .
- Starting at locking mechanism, prise fastening strip (2) for backrest cover off outer backrest frame (3) all around (arrow) using a screwdriver.
- Using a screwdriver, prise fastening strip (4) for backrest cover off load-through hatch all around.
- Equipment version with seat heating: Move clear electrical connector for seat heating.
- Remove head restraint guides (rear) .
- Detach backrest cover (1) with backrest padding from outer backrest frame.
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The figures on this page come from manufacturer workshop documentation and are shown as they are. The page is assembled automatically from that data — it is not written by an AI. The AI works in the chat, where it answers for your specific car. It writes nothing here.
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The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.