Side bolster not working

Kwj · 02-16-2021, 07:32 PM

Love my 2014 650i coupe and won't ever stop.

Had a (heavy set) friend sit in the passenger seat and while he was adjusting the side bolster, heard a "crack" and now the left side bolster isn't working (right one works fine). I can hear the motor go when pressing the side bolster buttons and feel the right side move but the left is dead. Anyone have any experience with this or have advice? I'm sure I'm going to have to take the seat apart to some extent and look for any broken pieces to fix/replace.

Opie55 · 02-16-2021, 10:56 PM

Have not seen that issue posted about before. You will have to take the seat out and start peeling off the upholstery. It is not a simple job. Upholstery is a royal pain, especially seat backs. A dealer would charge you a ridiculous amount, and whatever broke may not be available as a separate part. Depending on your skill level, you might consider going to an auto upholstery shop and asking how much they would charge to peel the upholstery off that seat back. Probably very little by comparison, since they do it all day long and are not going to be removing a transmission next.

Kwj · 02-17-2021, 06:03 AM

Great.. might make more sense to just buy a new seat?

Opie55 · 02-17-2021, 10:14 AM

A new seat would cost you a whole lot of money. Like several thousand dollars. Definitely worth seeing what's wrong first.

Opie55 · 02-17-2021, 10:22 AM

I just looked - you can buy the "drive assembly" for the side bolster separately. They run about $220 from online discount BMW dealers. More than likely that is your problem.

Kwj · 02-17-2021, 05:15 PM

Thank you for the insight and advice. I'll attempt it this weekend and see how far I can get before it turns into a bigger problem.

Opie55 · 02-17-2021, 06:49 PM

You have not given any clues to your DIY experience, but be sure to disconnect your battery because you need to remove the airbag on the seat.

hugo_nz · 02-18-2021, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kwj

Thank you for the insight and advice. I'll attempt it this weekend and see how far I can get before it turns into a bigger problem.

Here you go. All the steps required to get to the width adjustment parts. Info is rather scant so once you get to that part you are on your own.

For informational purposes only. The information is provided AS-IS with no warranties, express or implied, and is not guaranteed to be error-free, up-to-date or complete. I do not assume liability for any loss or damage arising from the use or reliance on the information and content shared.

Opie55 · 02-18-2021, 08:02 AM

The airbag is pretty easy once you know how it is attached. That rear plastic trim piece just has three clips and just pulls out straight back starting at the bottom. Once you have that off you'll see two torx bolts holding the airbag - remove those. Then grab the airbag and pull straight up about half an inch. Then it will just pull off. It is connected by two metal "hooks" you cannot see that release when you pull it up. Then you can pull the wire off, which can be a bit hard to do.

Kwj · 02-18-2021, 09:01 AM

Thank you for all the tips, help, and warnings. Very glad this community exists.

02-16-2021, 07:32 PM	#1
Kwj New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 650i xDrive Coupe Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Love my 2014 650i coupe and won't ever stop. Had a (heavy set) friend sit in the passenger seat and while he was adjusting the side bolster, heard a "crack" and now the left side bolster isn't working (right one works fine). I can hear the motor go when pressing the side bolster buttons and feel the right side move but the left is dead. Anyone have any experience with this or have advice? I'm sure I'm going to have to take the seat apart to some extent and look for any broken pieces to fix/replace.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

02-16-2021, 10:56 PM	#2
Opie55 Colonel 1190 Rep 2,902 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Have not seen that issue posted about before. You will have to take the seat out and start peeling off the upholstery. It is not a simple job. Upholstery is a royal pain, especially seat backs. A dealer would charge you a ridiculous amount, and whatever broke may not be available as a separate part. Depending on your skill level, you might consider going to an auto upholstery shop and asking how much they would charge to peel the upholstery off that seat back. Probably very little by comparison, since they do it all day long and are not going to be removing a transmission next.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-17-2021, 06:03 AM	#3
Kwj New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 650i xDrive Coupe Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Great.. might make more sense to just buy a new seat?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-17-2021, 10:14 AM	#4
Opie55 Colonel 1190 Rep 2,902 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	A new seat would cost you a whole lot of money. Like several thousand dollars. Definitely worth seeing what's wrong first.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-17-2021, 10:22 AM	#5
Opie55 Colonel 1190 Rep 2,902 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	I just looked - you can buy the "drive assembly" for the side bolster separately. They run about $220 from online discount BMW dealers. More than likely that is your problem.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-17-2021, 05:15 PM	#6
Kwj New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 650i xDrive Coupe Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Thank you for the insight and advice. I'll attempt it this weekend and see how far I can get before it turns into a bigger problem.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-17-2021, 06:49 PM	#7
Opie55 Colonel 1190 Rep 2,902 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	You have not given any clues to your DIY experience, but be sure to disconnect your battery because you need to remove the airbag on the seat.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-18-2021, 08:02 AM	#9
Opie55 Colonel 1190 Rep 2,902 Posts Drives: '15 650i Convertible Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: US iTrader: (0)	The airbag is pretty easy once you know how it is attached. That rear plastic trim piece just has three clips and just pulls out straight back starting at the bottom. Once you have that off you'll see two torx bolts holding the airbag - remove those. Then grab the airbag and pull straight up about half an inch. Then it will just pull off. It is connected by two metal "hooks" you cannot see that release when you pull it up. Then you can pull the wire off, which can be a bit hard to do.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-18-2021, 09:01 AM	#10
Kwj New Member 1 Rep 18 Posts Drives: 650i xDrive Coupe Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	Thank you for all the tips, help, and warnings. Very glad this community exists.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

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