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Honda Civic: How to Install Rear Seat Backrests

Whether you want your backseat passengers to be more comfortable or you just want to improve the car's appearance, installing rear seat backrests can be a great investment.

By Kate Halse - March 16, 2015
Contributors: SeVeNisOnE

This article applies to the Honda Civic (1992-2000).

You'll need a bit of patience and replacement backrests of choice for this task. The good news is that you can keep the car's stock metal seat frames and simply place the fabric and foam you're swapping out over the existing frame. Before you start, closely inspect and compare your stock backrests to the replacement ones to ensure that they are the same size and shape.

Materials Needed

  • Wire cutter
  • Philips screwdriver
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • 34 thin 4" zip ties (17 for each side)
  • Replacement backrests

Step 1 – Remove the seat screws

Use your Philips screwdriver to remove the screw on the side of the seat. The plastic piece should pop off. After removing the side screw, remove the one on top of the seat.

Figure 1. Remove the plastic screws from the side and top.

Step 2 – Cut the metal rings

Cut the metal rings on the back side of the seat using your wire cutters. There should be roughly 17 on each side.

Figure 2. Use your wire cutters to cut the metal rings.

Step 3 – Separate then remove the foam

Slowly and carefully separate the foam from the metal frame. At this point you can separate the foam but not remove it.

Figure 3. Separate and remove the foam.

Pro Tip

Be very careful when separating and removing the foam, as the frame edges are very sharp and can cut your hand.

Step 4 – Place the foam and fabric into the frame

Carefully fill the existing frame with your replacement foam and fabric. Repeat this process for every remaining frame.

Figure 4. Add desired foam and fabric to the frame, then repeat for each frame.

Step 5 – Secure the seats

Securely tie the seats together with zip ties. To accomplish this, slip the ties into the same spots as the original rings and tighten them just enough to hold the seat together. Refit the seatback into the car, being careful to not scrape the door openings with any exposed metal. If everything fits snugly back in place, and there are no issues, the job is done.

Figure 5. Secure the seats in place using zip ties.

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