To remove

WARNING: All Saab 9-3 models are equipped with the Airbag system where the side airbag is included as a component. The side airbag is fitted under the backrest upholstery on each front seat.
Work in accordance with the Safety and handling instructions.

Position the driver's seat as far forward as possible and tip the backrest forward.
Remove the cover and seatbelt mounting from the seat.

Fig 1: Illustration For Step 2
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the two rear retaining bolts from the seat.

Fig 2: Illustration For Steps 3, 6, & 7
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Tip the seat forward.
Remove the battery cover and undo the negative battery cable.
Unplug the connector on the seat.
Pull the seat back to unhook the mountings. Carefully remove the seat.
Pull the head restraint up as far as possible.
Remove the head restraint by pressing the catches while pulling out the head restraint.

Fig 3: Illustration For Step 9
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Press the catch into the support with a small screwdriver and lift the support at the same time.
WARNING: Torn backrest upholstery must not be repaired and refitted. The resistance of the upholstery is very carefully calculated as regards the side airbag and must not be changed.

Fig 4: Illustration For Step 10
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the lumbar support wheel.

Fig 5: Illustration For Step 11
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Lie the seat down with the underside easily accessible.
Release the upholstery strip along the edges of the back of the backrest frame.

Fig 6: Illustration For Step 13
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the back of the backrest by pressing the back plate towards the top of the backrest at the same time as guiding the plate out from the backrest.

Fig 7: Illustration For Step 14
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Unhook the lower edge of the backrest upholstery.

Fig 8: Illustration For Steps 15-16
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Unplug the backrest heating pad.
Loosen the lower edge and sides of the foam in the backrest.

Fig 9: Illustration For Step 17
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Stand the seat upright.
Lift off the upholstery.
Remove the protective cover for the side panel rear bolt and remove the bolt.

Fig 10: Illustration For Step 20
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Place the seat so that the bottom is easily accessible.
Remove the seat upholstery strips at the front and on the sides.

Fig 11: Illustration For Step 22
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the seat upholstery hooks.
Manual seat: Remove the height adjustment lever and the backrest knob.

Fig 12: Illustration For Step 23
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the connector from the seat heating pad.

Fig 13: Illustration For Step 24
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Carefully lift up the seat cushion so that the side panel clips are accessible.
Remove the front R-clip from the side panel.

Fig 14: Illustration For Steps 26-27
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Pinch together the side panel clips with a suitable tool so that the side panel can be released.
Remove the side panel by first undoing it from its front mounting and then bending it back.
Electric seat: Remove the connector form the adjuster controls.

Seat with memory: Remove the connector from the memory unit.

Fig 15: Illustration For Step 28
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the connector from the loaded seat cushion sensor.

Fig 16: Illustration For Step 29
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Lift off the seat cushion.
Remove the seat position sensor's connector.

Fig 17: Illustration For Steps 31-33
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Open the seat position sensor's clips using a screwdriver.
Remove the seat position sensor's top section from the seat rail.
Carefully press together the seat position sensor mounting arms and pull out the seat position sensor.
Detach the seat position sensor cable from the seat rail.
Remove the front seat cowl.

Fig 18: Illustration For Step 36
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.

IMPORTANT: Take care when releasing the locking mechanism on the connector so as not to damage the connector. Pull the halves straight apart to avoid bending the pins. For further information regarding connectors, refer to CONNECTORS, HANDLING AND INSPECTION .
Cars with memory function: Remove the DSM control module retaining bolts. Undo and remove the DSM control module clips. Move out the DSM control module. Remove the DSM control module connector from the control module.

Fig 19: Illustration For Step 37
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Loosen the protective cover to release the seat belt buckle's cable.

Fig 20: Illustration For Steps 38-39
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Cut off the cable tie holding the seat belt buckle cable.
Open the seat's connector and loosen the seat belt buckle's connector.

Fig 21: Illustration For Step 40
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Open the T-connector and end piece on the seat's wiring harness to release the seat belt buckle's cable.

Fig 22: Illustration For Step 41
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Dismantle the seat belt buckle.

Fig 23: Illustration For Step 42
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Loosen the clip holding the cable for the side airbag. Note the routing of the cable.

Fig 24: Illustration For Step 43
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Remove the side airbag connector and cable from the seat connector and wiring harness.
Remove the nuts holding the side airbag.

Fig 25: Illustration For Step 45
Courtesy of SAAB-SCANIA OF AMERICA, INC.
Undo the seat wiring harness from the seat frame. Note how the wiring harness is routed and its fixing points.
Electric seat: Undo the electric motor connectors.
Remove the side panel bracket.