Removing and installing folding rear seat backrest (centre) — AUDI
Removing and installing folding rear seat backrest (centre) on Audi: 8 steps. What to remove, in what order, and what to check after.
This covers taking out the narrow centre section of the split-folding rear backrest on the 8W platform, the Audi A4 B9. You cannot get at it on its own: the right-hand folding backrest has to come out first, which exposes the centre section's fixings. From there it is soft-trim work: the intermediate padding is pulled down, the velcro strip and the coupling hook on the fabric trim are released, and the trim is eased off its mounting pin. One bolt with its mounting bush holds the section, and a metal tab retains the draw-in piping. The job goes smoothly if you bend that tab aside before lifting, then pull the piping out of its guide as the backrest comes off the hinge pins. Rush it and the piping or its guide tears.
🧭 Before you start
Remove the right-side folding backrest to gain access. Release the intermediate padding, velcro, coupling hook and mounting pin for the fabric trim, then remove the single bolt with its mounting bush. Bend the piping tab aside and lift the centre backrest off its hinge pins while drawing the piping out of the guide. Refit in reverse and check the trim sits evenly.
Fits: Audi A4 B9 (8W, 2015–)
Don't miss
- The right-side folding backrest must come out first; the centre section is not accessible with it fitted.
- The bolt comes out together with its mounting bush; do not lose the bush or refit the bolt without it.
- Bend metal tab (4) aside before lifting, otherwise the draw-in piping stays trapped.
- Lift off the hinge pins and pull the piping from its guide in one movement to avoid tearing it.
- Re-engage the coupling hook and velcro fully so the fabric trim does not sag after refitting.
Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.
📋 Procedure
- Remove folding backrest (right-side) .
- Detach intermediate padding (arrows) downwards.
- Release velcro strip (arrow) for fabric trim.
- Disengage coupling hook (3) for fabric trim.
- Disengage fabric trim at mounting pin (2).
- Unscrew bolt (1) and remove together with mounting bush.
- Bend metal tab (4) for draw-in piping to one side (arrow).
- Lift folding backrest (centre) out of hinge pins and at the same time pull draw-in piping out of guide.
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TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
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The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.