M6 Headrest Cable Repair
M6 headrest cables tend to shrink from twisting and pull away at the cable socket at the motor, unlike in my E23 which pulled out at the headrest. The hard part is getting the back cover off the seat without damaging it. This will require two people. One person holds one side of the back cover to make sure you don't tear and damage the cover at the seat release lever as you pry the other side off at the other release lever.
(Update: Removal of the right side knob of either seat can be done by using a small phillips screwdriver. Look carefully inside the slot of the seats right release lever. In the slot you'll see a small screw. After removing this the lever and knob will come out. This will make it much easier to take the back off and now you don't have to call a friend up to wrestle with the seatback. I haven't actually used this method but it's suppose to work.)
Pull the knobs off the release levers. Have your assistant carefully hold the opposite side of the back cover down to the seat as you pry the cover over the release lever. With a wide screwdriver or small pry bar squeeze it under the back cover and leverage it against the top of the release lever while it's in the down position. Use the pry bar to lift it over the release lever and protect the material.
Unbolt the cable at the motor and pull it out. Now remove cable from sheath. Cut sheath in half then cut another 3/8-1/4 inch from one of the halfs. Use fuel hose and hose clamps to attach the halfs together. Now place the cable back in and bolt it back up. Test it and it should work. You have now shortened the sheath causing the cable to extend further into the headrest assembly engaging the gear.
If it doesn't work try cutting a little more off.
©2002 Winston Fong