Removing and installing cover and padding, backrest — VW

🧭 Before you start

Remove the bench seat and the surrounding luggage compartment and pillar trims, then the backrest. Unclip the release mechanism trims, free the cover beading from the clamping profiles and remove the remaining trims. Open the Velcro and zips, fold the cover back, cut through the upholstery clips and lift the cover and padding off the frame.

Fits: platform code 138

Don't miss

• Never push the backrest down onto the centre mounting; place foam between them to protect the covers.
• Hold the release button forwards while prising the trim off with wedge 3409.
• Upholstery clips are destroyed on removal; fit new ones with pliers V.A.G 1634.
• Start unclipping at the rear lower right of the trim to avoid breaking tabs.

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

📋 Procedure

1. Remove bench seat .
2. ⚠ The backrest of the rear seat system must not be pushed down on the centre backrest mounting! To prevent damage to covers on backrest, place a foam cushion or similar between backrest mounting and backrest. — Remove floor covering from luggage compartment.
3. Remove rear belt buckle .
4. Remove lock carrier trim .
5. Remove rear shelf support .

6. Remove luggage compartment side trim .
7. Remove roof end strip .
8. Remove C-pillar trim .
9. Remove side trim panel .
10. Remove rear seat backrest .
11. Starting at rear lower right, unclip trim (1) using removal wedge3409.
12. Push release mechanism button (2) as far as stop forwards in direction of travel, and hold it in this position.
13. Prise trim (1) from release mechanism using removal wedge3409.
14. Remove trim (1) towards rear.
15. Remove left trim as described.
16. On left backrest, detach beading of front part of cover (1) from clamping profile for back of cover (2).
17. On right backrest, detach beading of front part of cover from clamping profile for back of cover as described.
18. Using removal wedge3409, release fasteners (arrows).
19. Remove rear right trim (1).
20. Using removal wedge3409, release fasteners (arrows).
21. Remove front right trim (1).
22. Remove two left trims as described.
23. Open Velcro fasteners beneath the trims.
24. Open zips at sides.
25. Fold over cover in this area.
26. Cut through upholstery clips (arrows). [Note: Upholstery clips are destroyed during removal. They must be renewed when installing. Use upholstery clip pliersV.A.G 1634 for this.]
27. Cut through remaining upholstery clips.
28. Remove cover and padding from backrest frame.

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 windscreen washer reservoir
• Removing and installing headlight range control servomotor, right-hand drive
• Converting H4 headlights designed for driving on the right to driving on the left
• Converting H7 headlights for use when driving on the left to driving on the right, saloon, right-hand drive
• Removing and installing dash panel relay carrier