***This write-up can also be viewed in the Body of Knowledge - '92+ CV/GMQ/MM/TC Seat Cover removal - by martz0r*** -d
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So, I was aware you could remove the seat covers on our cars but had no idea how. Seemed like a daunting task. After looking for ways to clean the seat covers, I saw SgtTaz post that he puts his in the wash. Of course being the insomniac that I am, I started this project around 2 this morning and it's now 4:30 and my covers are in the washing machine. I also took pics and figured I'd throw them together so all you with bucket seats can reap the benefits of clean seats, and found money under those seats! I found about 2 dollars worth of change since the last time I had my seats out.

Things you'll need:

-Flathead screwdriver
-13mm socket
-18mm socket


First, it will be a lot easier with the seats out of the car.

Remove the 2 front bolts, 13mm that hold the seat down. In this picture, you'll also see one of the long clips that is supposed to connect to the bottom of the seat to help stabilize the seat cover:


Remove the 2 rear seat bolts, one is 18mm one is 13mm:


This is one of the places youll need the flathead, to remove the connectors under the seat:


Why was this under my seat?


Now that the seat is out, lets remove the headrests.


Those holders, just rip those babies right out.


Pictured here is a clip that belongs to the lining of the bottom seat cover which youll need to remove


This clip holds the side of the seat cushion cover. There is one of these on either side.


I found it easier to remove the cover from the seat back first, then move on to the butt cushion cover. lol. Here's the back side of the seat, on the bottom. Another clip you need to undo! There are actually two connected together, one belongs to the seat back cover and one to the bottom cover.


Unclipped. You can also see the zipper you need to unzip, theres one of these on each side of the seat.


When you remove any of the covers, take care as they are velcroed in cross sections and if you pull too hard or quickly, the velcro strip can pull off the cushion causing your seat cover to be loose.
[img]http://closeupcleaners.com/seats/12.jpg[/img]

Now to remove the bottom cushion cover, on each side of the seat on the bottom you need to undo the clips. I got a close up to show how they rest in there:
[img]http://closeupcleaners.com/seats/15.jpg[/img]

You need to remove this bolt that connects the seat frame together, it is a 14mm and without doing this you won't be able to get the cover off.
[img]http://closeupcleaners.com/seats/16.jpg[/img]

Removed the seat back cushion just to check out how it worked... You can see the huge anti-stab plate:
[img]http://closeupcleaners.com/seats/17.jpg[/img]

And again...
[img]http://closeupcleaners.com/seats/18.jpg[/img]

I did the headrests, too. Boy, what a B!TCH to get those covers off! You have to disconnect the clip, then I had to wrestle the headrest to pull the corners of the cover over the cushion because the hole in the cover was barely large enough.
[img]http://closeupcleaners.com/seats/19.jpg[/img]

If you want yellow seats, you can stop here.
[img]http://closeupcleaners.com/seats/20.jpg[/img]

Youre done! Throw the covers in the washing machine, as of finishing this I am washing them a second time just to be on the safe side. Let them air dry as you dont want to put the covers in the dryer with the plastic connectors.

I'll update with before/after pics of the covers if there is any real difference. Mine were pretty damn dirty and after the first time through the washing machine, there was a film of dirt on the inside of the washer. This time, I am doing it with warm water, and sprayed the stains directly with Shout. Let me know what ya think!

I'd replace the foam while you have it apart.

Yeah... already thought about that. Unfortunately, the dealership will be closed since its the weekend and I had no plans of doing this until I started at 2:30.

Must be nice living in FL and not have your seat bolts rusted solid to the floor!

Excellent write-up, are you planning to do a reverse photo montage of the install and what problems might arise. Look forward to seeing the finish project and before and after photos

Thanks for all the info. I've been wondering how to get the covers off since I plan on replacing mine eventually. The only thing that scares me now is how much new covers will cost.

Wonder how much of this applies to the pre-'03 cars. I may be getting a parts car with power passenger seat, I'd swap my upholstery to that frame if I did. Plus I could wash my covers real good with them out. I still haven't been able to get all the "old people funk" out, and I've cleaned them with 2 types of upholstery cleaning machines.

I think it might be a lot easier if you worked without a cigarette in your hand... the car might smell a lot nicer, too.

very nice write up. now just waiting for the after pics

you went nuts! i kinda did that myself, but instead what i chose to do was swap the cover with the padding on it. so overall, i took the easy route LOL.

Yes... and thankfully although this wasn't a Florida car, it did come from Texas so I really had no problems with those.



Thanks! I really didn't have time for the reverse photos, I had to work tonight so had to let the covers air-dry while I slept and then it was straight to work as soon as I got up. Pretty easy to figure out once you have it apart though.



Are yours pretty worn? Stained? If they are just dirty I'd try them through the wash first if they're not in too bad of shape, then decide if you still need new ones after they are clean.



Thanks for your input. Didn't notice that til now. Unfortunately hanging from my mouth the smoke kept going into my eyes, so to the hand it went! And since you mention it, I vowed to stop smoking in my car after this was done. We'll see how long that lasts.



Haha... I know at one point it hit me. "I gotta put all this stuff back together"

Before _________________________________________________________










After _________________________________________________________









Didn't realize the difference until I looked at the before and after pictures. Not only is the seating surface a lot cleaner, the sides and the holes for the seat belts are nice and clean now. The sides of the washer were very dirty afterwards! Excuse the quality on the after pics, they were taken with my phone. The hardest part of it all was getting those headrest covers back on. I must have called it every curse word in the book!

Hopefully SgtTaz sees this and chimes in with anything he did different or I may have left out. Overall I think it was worthwhile and my car smells like fresh laundry now! FWIW, I washed them twice. First time was delicate on cold/cold second time was a hot/cold.

Hmm, it seems that my seat covers may have already been removed before as there were no clips there. A couple of the plastic connectors holding the seat covers down were also disconnected already. Go ahead and edit the post if you can, I would but it won't let me.

Very nice! If my seat covers werent that ugly blue color I'd actually try this

Nice write-up. I may have to give this a try when I take my seats out in the spring.

You could dye them while they're off.

where do you get the dye?