2005 Q45 Power Seat Adjuster

[gobose]

I just completed the replacement and install of the drivers side power adjuster seat assembly with climate control.

I would classify this job as not for the "faint of heart". If you can get it installed for around $350 labor only I would do that. If it's $500 plus on labor, then probably read on:

Nissan Part Number: 87450-AR666 Adjuster Assembly

Cost $568.18 + 36.84 S&H to Atlanta GA = $605.02 delivered http://www.infintipartsonline (lowest price and fastest reply).

After I had removed my seat I went to install the new adjuster assembly only to find both motor housing supports (plastic) were busted making the unit unusable. Apparently, this is known to happen in transit so please check your new unit before starting the unassembly process.

infinitipartsonline was fast to respond and get me a new one within 4 days delivered. Still a huge hassle.

Total Install Time: About 4 hours (I would guess an Infiniti mechanic would take about 1.5 hours)

Removal/Installation Tips:

1. Take lots of pictures with a good flash of the seat while installed and then progressively as you move through the replacement process. There are quitea few minor details (routing of wires, clips, brackets that need to be placed back in their original spot. Make sure to get several good shots of the underside of the original assembly still attched to the seat before beginning to disassemble it.

2. If you have one, keep a laptop nearby with those same pictures as you proceed to replace the assembly and reinstall. This is helpful becuase you be doing things upside down and inverted so it's easy to lose track of how things were routed.

3. Raise the bottom seat cushion to its highest level to ease access and removal of assembly. (Important)

4. I had a bit of a tough time getting the front plastic covers off of the seat track on the floor. Pull the sides out slightly and push forward to remove without breaking one of the clips.

5. I used a pair of long needle nose pliers that are bent at a 20 degree angle to access the plastc clip tangs that hold the wire assembly to the underside of the adjuster assembly. You can always snip the zip tie portion of the clip and replace with new ones but I chose to compress the plastic clip tangs and pull out the clips instead.

6. You will need a 12mm and 14mm socket and/or wrench during the process. The bolts to the floor board are 14mm and I recommend the 2 front ones stay just barely in place so that it can act like a 2nd set of hands for you while you disconnect the wiring harness.

7. There are two electrical wire connectors that must be unattached before seat removal. They are a bit difficult to access so I used two standard head screwdrivers with one to compress the latch and the other to gently pry the connector open. (Dsiconnect battery before doing this)

8. Don't forget the seatbelt needs to be unattached prior to removal as well. (14mm bolt). Bring the seat well forward so you have easy access to this bolt once you've unattached the plastc side panel from the seat.

9. The bottom, plastic seat panels are best removed by first removing the power seat switch covers (3) and pulling on this side panel to dislonge it from the front and back panels. The side panel has to plastc tabs that hold it to the front an back panels.

10. Keep the car battery attached as long as you need to access the 2 front bolts, 2 rear bolts, seatbelt bolt as you will be moving the seat forward and back several times to gain access.

11. Disconnect battery once you are ready to disconnect the electrical cables from their sockets.

12. I removed the seat from rear door vs the drivers door by wrapping it aound the door frame between the front and rear doors. (Kind of like you do with a lazy boy chair when getting it out of a room). Watch your console area as the metal adjuster assembly with be close to it. Two people are best here but I did it by myself.

13. You MUST have large sheets of cardboard to lay the seat upon once removed. Rags, towels, paper will not be sufficient as the seat is failry heavy and your leather could be damaged.

14. Keep a wet soapy rag nearby and a dry one. This will keep your hands clean as you handle the leather on the seat. (Important)

15. Set the seat on one side and snap a few excellent pcitures of the underside. Note where the 4 bolts holding the adjuster assembly in place are located.

16. I removed the 4 14mm bolts that hold the seatback to the bottom cushion. I "think" if I had completely lowered the seatback while in the vehicle I could have forgone this step.

17. You must unclip the leather from the bottom cushion chassis in order to access the 4 nuts holding the adjuster assembly in place.

18. You must unattach the plastc duct (climate control only) from the seatback and the filter housing (snip the zip tie) before removing the adjuster assembly.

19. Flip the seat on its other side and declip the leather there as well. Try to keep the leather is its orginal location and just barely access the 4 nuts holding the assembly in place.

20. The 4 nuts holding the assembly in place are located under the seat cushion thereby requiring you to unclip the leather.

21. There is a plastic switch assembly housing that must be removed from the old unit and installed on the new one. Look at your photos for reference.

22. I installed thru the back seat door as well and please watch that center console and your rear seat leather as the underside of the seat has lots of metal and metal edges.