Removing and installing backrest release mechanism — VW

Removing and installing backrest release mechanism on VW: 16 steps, 3 torque figures. What to remove, what to tighten and to how many Nm, what to check.

Removing the backrest release mechanism from a front seat, on the platform codes listed below. This is a bench job: the seat has to come out of the car first, observing the safety rules for airbags and belt tensioners, and is then mounted on a seat repair stand. Before the mechanism is reachable, the belt buckle, both side trims, the backrest adjuster wheel and height adjuster handle come off, the backrest is removed, and the release trim, backrest cover and cushion and the connecting Bowden cable follow. The mechanism itself is held by one bolt: push the holder forwards to its stop and keep it there while the bolt comes out, then release the two tabs on the easy-entry support plate to free the handle and holder.

16 steps 3 torque figures torque figures merged from 12 documented variants

🧭 Before you start

Take the seat out under pyrotechnic safety rules and fix it to the repair stand. Strip the buckle, side trims, adjuster wheel, height handle and backrest, then the release trim, cover, cushion and Bowden cable. Hold the holder forwards against its stop, remove the bolt, and release the two tabs on the easy-entry support plate to remove the handle and holder from the backrest frame.

Fits: platform code 138

Don't miss

Observe the safety rules for airbags and belt tensioners before removing the seat.
Work on the seat fixed to a repair stand, not loose on the bench.
Hold the holder forwards against its stop while removing the bolt.
Release both tabs on the easy-entry support plate before pulling the handle out.
Detach the connecting Bowden cable before trying to reach the holder.

Written for this job from the workshop steps below · TorqFix editorial.

🔩 Torque settings

Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.

Torque	Fastener / step
2 Nm (1.5 lb-ft)	Remove bolt (1
3.5 Nm (2.6 lb-ft)	Remove bolt (1
8 Nm (5.9 lb-ft)	Undo bolts (5

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

⚠ Observe the general safety regulations when working on airbag, belt tensioner and battery isolator units (pyrotechnic components) — Attach seat repair standVAS 6136 to engine and gearbox supportVAS 6095.
Remove front seat .
Secure front seat to seat repair standVAS 6136.
Remove front belt buckle .
Remove seat trim on tunnel side .

VW? Steps differ between engine variants — check this job against your exact car before you commit to it. Check my car — free →

Remove backrest adjuster wheel .
Remove seat height adjuster handle .
Remove seat trim on sill side .
Remove front backrest .
Remove trim of backrest release mechanism .
Remove backrest cover and cushion .
Remove connecting Bowden cable .
Push holder (arrow) forwards to stop and hold in this position.
Remove bolt (1).
Remove handle with holder (2) from backrest frame.
To do this, release tabs (arrows A) (Qty. 2) on easy-entry support plate.

Other VW procedures

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.