How to remove the front or rear seats on mk5 VW

Introduction

This page shows how to remove or replace the front seats or rear bench mkv VW Jetta, Golf, GTI, GLI

Related links: 1000q: how to reskin your seat or power seat swap , 1000q: seat disassembly for shipping

Parts

10mm triple square (12 point) bit
torque wrench
10mm socket to disconnect battery

Procedure to remove the front bucket seats mk5 VW

Raise the seat bottom as high as it will go. Slide the seat all the way forwards to get access to the four 12point (triple square, spline) bolts per seat on the seat rail. Remove the rear bolts as shown below. Slide the seat forwards and remove the front bolts.

Lower the seats all the way and tilt the seat backs forward if you have electric back tilt. With the seat backs tilted forward, the seats will be easier to handle and get out.

Disconnect the battery negative terminal (10mm). When you reconnect the battery make sure to reset the memory seats, one touch windows, and steering adaptation. Refer to the links and 1000q: battery removal for more details. Step on the brakes a few times to discharge any stored electricity and touch a bare metal ground to discharge any static electricity on you.

Disconnect the seat plugs. One has a lever in the middle that has to be pressed to release the plug, 2 have slider locks that have to be pressed down, and one has a hook in the middle that has to be pulled back. Also shown is one of the front seat rail bolts.

Here is a picture of the passenger side with the plugs removed. The arrow below left shows the white slider that has to be pressed down to release the plug. On that one the lock stays on the car. The blue slider below right has to be pressed down to release.

Adjust the seat to make it easier to pull out and then remove the seat. Make sure to not drag the seat rails or else you'll get major scratches on the door sills. Marvel at all the missing stuff under the seats and vacuum out that rattling coin you couldn't find.

To install, touch a bare metal ground to discharge any static electricity. Then connect the plugs until you hear the locks click. Note the centering pins on the front of the seat rails and hand thread each seat rail bolt a few turns to account for any play. Then torque the triple square bolts to 30 ft-lb.

Procedure to take out the rear seats mk5 VW

Move the front seats all the way forwards.

Remove the 4 child seat anchor plastic trim pieces. You have to pull them up and around the metal anchor bar.

Push the entire bench seat towards the rear of the car and wiggle it around to disengage the metal loops.

Installation is the reverse of removal.

If you have any questions about this procedure, feel free to ask at the myturbodiesel.com forums or search the site below: