Seat height spring struts, replace

The seat base height is raised from the lowered position by means of two gas struts on the hinge mechanism. These struts are only two of four on the seat, and are located on the outside of the hinge assemblies. The outside spring strut can usually be replaced without removing the seat, however, the inside one requires removal of the seat.
Move seat fully rearward, remove caps from nuts and remove the 17mm nut from front of each rail.
Move seat fully forward and remove the two 17mm bolts from rear rails.
Disconnect seatbelt switch wiring from below drivers seat
Remove plastic screws and pull off side cover.
Some seats may have a plastic cap over the lower pivot point for the spring strut on the outside of the seat. Push this cover downwards to remove.
Use a small screwdriver to remove the retaining clips. Retaining clips are one time use only, removal damages them, requiring them to be replaced. Use a screwdriver to pry the spring strut off the mounting studs.
DANGER: Even a bad spring strut may still be under considerable pressure. Keep fingers clear when removing spring strut from mounting studs.
Installation:
Spring struts are extremely tight and difficult to compress. Use a C clamp, or large set of "water pump" pliers to compress the spring strut while installing.

Part numbers:
Side cover screw - Anthrazit, from 09/85	:	52 10 1 906 933
Side cover, right - Anthrazit, from 09/85	:	52 10 1 942 102
Side cover slider - Anthrazit, from 09/85	:	52 10 1 913 999
Cap on lower pivot - Anthrazit, from 09/85	:	72 11 1 808 464
Spring strut, height adjustment	:	52 10 1 965 645
Retaining clip	:	52 10 1 916 603

E30 M3 Repair Manual V2.7. Copyright Š1999-2001 Koala Motorsport & Brett Anderson