Seat Belt Components — Removal and Installation (BMW 3 Series E46)

Attention! Before you start, read paragraph 35.

Removal

Front seat belt (sedan and touring models)

1. Remove the front seat (see paragraph 24).

2. Remove the B-pillar trim (see paragraph 27).

3. Remove the screws and remove the belt guide from the rack.

4. Unscrew the upper belt fastening bolt (Fig. 26.4).



5. Unscrew the inertia reel mounting bolt and remove the belt from the body pillar (Fig. 26.5).



6. If necessary, unscrew the mounting bolts and remove the belt height adjustment mechanism from the body pillar.

Front Seat Belt (Coupe Model)

7. Remove the front seat (see paragraph 24).

8. Remove the B-pillar trim and rear side trim (see paragraph 27).

9. Remove the plastic plug from the lower belt fastening lever, unscrew the fastening bolt and remove the belt from the lever (Fig. 26.9).





10. Remove the screws and remove the belt guide from the rack.

11. Remove the upper belt fastening bolt.

12. Unscrew the inertia reel mounting bolt and remove the belt from the body pillar (fig. 26.12).



13. If necessary, unscrew the mounting bolts and remove the belt height adjustment mechanism from the body pillar.

Seat belt buckle stand

14. Remove the seat (see paragraph 24).

15. Release the tensioner wiring connector from the clamp and disconnect the connector (fig. 26.15).



16. Loosen the rack mounting nut and remove it from the side wall of the seat (fig. 26.16).

Side seat belts for fixed rear seat

17. Remove the rear seat (see paragraph 24).

18. Unscrew the bolts securing the seat belts to the body and remove the central belt and the locks.

19. Remove the trim from the front of the rear shelf and disconnect it from the seat belts.

20. Carefully detach the trim panels from the rear body pillars and disconnect the interior lighting wiring from them.

21. Remove the clips from the front of the rear shelf, slide the shelf forward and remove it. After removing the shelf, disconnect the connectors of the wiring of the high brake light lamps (if it exists).

22. Unscrew the inertia reel mounting nut and remove the belt(s).

Side seat belts for folding rear seat

23. Remove the rear shelf trim (see paragraph 27).

24. Remove the bolt of the lower seat belt mount to the body (fig. 26.24). Pass the belt through the rear shelf trim.



25. The inertia reel is secured with one bolt (fig. 26.25). Unscrew the bolt, then remove it along with the washer. On the coupe model, unscrew the screw and remove the plug to access the belt mounting bolt.





26. Remove the assembly from the bracket, then remove the belt from the vehicle interior.

Rear Seat Side Belt Buckle Post

27. Disconnect and remove the rear seat cushion.

28. Remove the bolt and remove the rack from the vehicle.

Central rear seat belt and belt buckle

29. Disconnect and remove the rear seat cushion from the vehicle.

30. Unscrew the bolt securing the central belt with the buckle and remove the belt from the vehicle.

Installation

Front seat belt

31. Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal. Make sure that all seat belt mounting bolts are securely tightened and that the trim panels are secured with all fasteners.

Front seat belt buckle post

32. Make sure that the tensioner is correctly installed on the seat and tighten the fastening nut to the specified torque. Install the seat (see paragraph 24) and connect the battery.

Fixed rear seat side belt

33. Installation is carried out in the reverse order of removal. Make sure that all seat belt mounting bolts are securely tightened and that the trim panels are secured with all fasteners.

Side seat belt for folding rear seat

34. Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal. Make sure that all belt and inertia reel mounting bolts are tightened to the required torque.

Rear Seat Belt Buckle Post

35. Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal. Tighten the mounting bolt to the required torque.

Rear seat center belt and belt buckle

36. Installation is performed in the reverse order of removal. Tighten the mounting bolts to the required torque.