Removing and installing backrest: VW Golf Cabriolet
Step-by-step removing and installing backrest for the VW Golf Cabriolet: 23 steps, 17 torque figures.
Workshop procedure for VW — the exact step sequence and torque figures, straight from real workshop data.
🧭 Before you start
Fits: VW Golf Cabriolet (517, 2011–2016)
Don't miss
- Do not knee on or lean on backrest when it is folded forward! — Remove sill mouldings .
- Do not knee on or lean on backrest when it is folded forward! — Place backrest in vehicle.
🔩 Torque settings
Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.
| Torque | Fastener / step |
|---|---|
| 20 Nm (15 lb-ft) | Remove bolts (4 |
| 24 Nm (18 lb-ft) | Remove bolts (1) and (2 |
| 3.0 Nm (2.2 lb-ft) | Bolt backrest to seat in assembly sequence (2), (3), (1) and (4 |
| 3.0 Nm (2.2 lb-ft) | Bolt backrest to seat in assembly sequence (3), (2), (1) and (4 |
| 35 Nm (26 lb-ft) | Remove bolts (2) and (4 |
| 35 Nm (26 lb-ft) | Unscrew bolts (2) and (4 |
| 40 Nm (30 lb-ft) | Fold left backrest (3) backwards and bolt on backrest with bolt (4 |
| 40 Nm (30 lb-ft) | Fold left backrest forwards and secure backrest with nut (2 |
| 40 Nm (30 lb-ft) | Fold right backrest (2) backwards and bolt on backrest with bolt (1 |
| 40 Nm (30 lb-ft) | Screw in bolt (5 |
| 40 Nm (30 lb-ft) | Screw in bolt (6 |
| 40 Nm (30 lb-ft) | Secure buckle (2) with nut (1 |
| 40 Nm (30 lb-ft) | Tighten bolt (1) to a torque |
| 40 Nm (30 lb-ft) | Tighten bolts (1) and (2) above spare wheel well to a torque |
| 40 Nm (30 lb-ft) | Tighten bolts (1) and (2) on both sides of backrest to a torque |
| 40 Nm (30 lb-ft) | Unscrew bolt (1 |
| 8 Nm (5.9 lb-ft) | Unscrew bolt (1 |
ℹ️ Always cross-check the exact figure against your vehicle's factory manual before final tightening — a wrong torque can damage the engine. These values are extracted from workshop data and may not cover every variant or revision.
📋 Procedure
- ⚠ Do not knee on or lean on backrest when it is folded forward! — Remove sill mouldings .
- Remove belt anchor rail .
- Remove bench seat .
- Remove side trim .
- Remove rear belt buckle .
- Remove luggage compartment floor.
- Detach Bowden cable for disengaging backrest on both sides.
- Remove luggage compartment side trim .
- Fold both backrest sections forwards.
- Release cover (1) using a screwdriver (arrows) and remove.
- Undo and remove nut (2).
- Remove bolts (1) and (2) on both sides of backrest.
- Take backrest out of vehicle.
- ⚠ Do not knee on or lean on backrest when it is folded forward! — Place backrest in vehicle.
- Secure buckle (2) with nut (1), tightening the latter hand-tight.
- Fold right backrest (2) backwards and bolt on backrest with bolt (1) (40 Nm). — 40 Nm (30 lb-ft)
- Fold left backrest (3) backwards and bolt on backrest with bolt (4) (40 Nm). — 40 Nm (30 lb-ft)
- Screw in bolt (5) (40 Nm). — 40 Nm (30 lb-ft)
- Screw in bolt (6) (40 Nm). — 40 Nm (30 lb-ft)
- Fold left backrest forwards and secure backrest with nut (2) (40 Nm). — 40 Nm (30 lb-ft)
- Clip cover (1) onto middle backrest mounting (arrows) near the locking lugs.
- Secure buckle (2) with nut (1) (40 Nm). — 40 Nm (30 lb-ft)
- Fit Bowden cable for disengaging backrest on both sides.
Other VW procedures
- Removing engine · 41 torque figures
- Removing and installing camshaft – VW Golf Cabriolet · 47 torque figures
- Adjusting valve timing – VW Passat B5 · 83 torque figures
- Removing and installing camshafts – VW Passat B6 · 39 torque figures
- Removing and installing coolant pump · 53 torque figures
- Removing and installing camshaft timing chain and intermediate shaft drive chain · 4 torque figures
- Removing and installing treble horn H2 and bass horn H7 · 9 torque figures
- Removing and installing left temperature flap control motor V158 · 8 torque figures
- Installing bevel box – VW Golf V / Jetta · 7 torque figures
- Removing and installing fuel tank 1 and 2 – VW 1.4 CDGA · 4 torque figures
Who makes these pages, and how
TorqFix was built by a mechanic — after a 2,700 km drive with five roadside repairs that no diagnostic tool could explain.
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.
Variants of the same model differ. Cross-check torque against the factory manual for your engine before final tightening.
Seen a figure that does not match your manual? Write to us — we correct it and note when. support@torqfix.com
The story behind TorqFix →Workshop data on this page last updated 20 Sep 2026.