Removing and installing rear seat backrest — VW
Removing and installing rear seat backrest on VW: 19 steps, 3 torque figures. What to remove, what to tighten and to how many Nm, what to check after.
Workshop procedure for VW — the exact step sequence and torque figures, straight from real workshop data.
🧭 Before you start
Fits: platform code 138
Don't miss
- Backrest must not be folded as long as the bench seat is not fitted! — Start bolt (1) with twin belt buckle (2) by hand, but do not tighten it yet.
🔩 Torque settings
Values can differ between engine variants — check the code stamped on your block.
| Torque | Fastener / step |
|---|---|
| 40 Nm (30 lb-ft) | Unscrew bolt (1 |
| 8 Nm (5.9 lb-ft) | Unscrew bolt (1 |
| 9 Nm (6.6 lb-ft) | Undo bolt (3 |
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
- Remove bench seat .
- ⚠ 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.
- Remove rear belt buckle .
- Remove lock carrier trim .
- Remove rear shelf support .
- Remove luggage compartment side trim .
- Remove roof end strip .
- Remove C-pillar trim .
- Remove side trim panel .
- On both sides of backrest in luggage compartment, open Bowden cable holders (1) and (2), and unclip Bowden cables (3).
- Remove bolts (1) and (2) above spare wheel well.
- Remove bolts (1) and (2) on both sides of backrest.
- Remove rear bench seat from vehicle.
- Position backrest in vehicle.
- ⚠ Backrest must not be folded as long as the bench seat is not fitted! — Start bolt (1) with twin belt buckle (2) by hand, but do not tighten it yet.
- Tighten bolts (1) and (2) on both sides of backrest.
- Tighten bolts (1) and (2) above spare wheel well.
- Tighten bolt (1).
- On both sides of backrest in luggage compartment, clip Bowden cable holders (1) and (2) over Bowden cables (3).
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 immobiliser control unit
- Checking the fuel pump delivery rate for prepressurisation G6, engine codes CBAA, CBAB, CBBB, CBAC, CBDC
- Assembly overview - oil pump, sump, balancer shaft module with chain drive
- Removing and installing air conditioner magnetic clutch N25
- Removing and installing interior aerial 3 for entry and start authorisation R154
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.