Seat Cover

This procedure covers removal and installation of seat covers on both front seats of the 2005 Dodge Viper, including disconnection of airbag and occupancy sensors.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Seat cover (driver or passenger) × 1 — Use OEM specification for correct leather/material match
• Hog rings (assorted) × 30 — Use OEM or aftermarket seat cover retention rings
• Trim panel clips (if damaged) × 4 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait minimum 2 minutes for airbag system capacitors to discharge
3. Move seat to full forward position for rear bolt access, then to full rearward position for front bolt access
4. Photograph seat cover attachment points and hog ring locations before removal for reference during installation

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove Seat from Vehicle
   Locate the four seat mounting bolts at the corners of the seat track assembly. Remove all four bolts using the correct driver (verify head type — seat mounting bolts are typically hex-head or E-Torx structural fasteners, not a small T40). Tilt seat back to access electrical connectors underneath. Disconnect the seat position sensor connector (if power seat) and side-impact airbag connector by pressing release tabs and pulling connectors straight apart. Note: verify whether this vehicle is equipped with an occupant classification sensor; the base 2005 Viper seats may not include an OCS mat. Carefully lift seat assembly out of vehicle and place on clean, padded work surface.
   Torque spec

   Seat Mounting Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove Seat Back Trim Panel
   Locate the trim panel on the rear of the seat back. Identify trim panel fasteners around the perimeter (typically 4-6 clips). Use a flat trim tool to carefully release the retaining clips, working around the perimeter. Lift trim panel away to expose seat back structure and side-impact airbag module. Do not disconnect airbag module unless replacing the cover itself.
3. 3

   Disconnect Side-Impact Airbag (Seat Back)
   Locate the side-impact airbag module connector on the seat back frame. Press the connector release tab and carefully pull connector apart. Note the airbag module is sewn into the seat back cover; it will remain attached to the cover during removal. Handle the airbag module with care throughout the procedure.
4. 4

   Remove Seat Back Cover Fasteners
   Inspect the bottom edge of the seat back cover where it attaches to the seat frame. Locate hog rings securing the cover to the frame (typically 8-12 rings along the bottom edge). Use hog ring pliers to expand and remove each hog ring. On the sides and top of the seat back, check for additional hog rings or hook-and-loop fasteners securing the cover to the frame structure. Remove all fasteners and note their locations.
5. 5

   Remove Headrest and Separate Seat Back Cover
   Press the headrest release buttons on both headrest posts (located on the top of the seat back) and pull headrest straight up and out. Locate the headrest guide tube openings in the seat back cover. Carefully work the seat back cover up and over the headrest guide tubes, feeding the side-impact airbag module through as you go. Once clear of the tubes, peel the seat back cover away from the foam cushion, working from bottom to top. The cover may be adhered to the foam with contact adhesive in some areas; pull slowly to avoid tearing the foam.
6. 6

   Remove Seat Cushion Cover Fasteners
   Turn the seat cushion upside down or position to access the underside. Locate hog rings attaching the seat cover to the cushion frame around the perimeter (typically 12-16 rings). Use hog ring pliers to expand and remove each hog ring. Note the location of the occupant classification sensor mat under the cover; it may be attached with additional fasteners or adhesive strips.
7. 7

   Disconnect Occupant Classification Sensor
   Identify the occupant classification sensor mat (thin flexible mat embedded in or under the seat cushion cover). If the sensor is integrated into the cover being replaced, disconnect the sensor connector from the seat frame harness by pressing the release tab and pulling apart. If the sensor is separate from the cover, carefully note its position and attachment method for reinstallation. Handle the sensor mat carefully to avoid damage.
8. 8

   Remove Seat Cushion Cover
   With all hog rings and fasteners removed, carefully peel the seat cushion cover away from the foam cushion. Work from the rear edge forward, separating any adhesive bonds between cover and foam. If the occupant classification sensor is sewn into the cover, keep it attached and fold it carefully as the cover is removed. Inspect the foam cushion for damage and clean any debris before installing the new cover.
9. 9

   Install New Seat Cushion Cover
   Position the new seat cushion cover over the foam cushion, aligning the cover contours with the foam shape. If the new cover includes an integrated occupant classification sensor, route the sensor connector to the appropriate location on the seat frame. Work the cover down over the foam, ensuring even distribution and no wrinkles or bunching. Pull the cover edges under the cushion frame to expose the hog ring attachment points.
10. 10

    Secure Seat Cushion Cover with Hog Rings
    Starting at the front center of the cushion, install new hog rings to secure the cover to the frame. Work outward toward the sides and then toward the rear, maintaining even tension on the cover. Install hog rings in the same locations as the original rings, typically spaced 2-3 inches apart around the perimeter. Use hog ring pliers to fully close each ring. Avoid over-tensioning the cover, which can affect occupant classification sensor calibration and trigger warning lights.
11. 11

    Reconnect Occupant Classification Sensor
    If the sensor was disconnected in step 7, reconnect the occupant classification sensor connector to the seat frame harness. Ensure the connector is fully seated and the release tab clicks into place. Verify the sensor mat lays flat and smooth under or within the seat cushion cover with no folds or kinks.
12. 12

    Install New Seat Back Cover
    Feed the side-impact airbag module (integrated into the new seat back cover) into position on the seat back frame. Align the headrest guide tube openings in the cover with the guide tubes on the seat back frame. Work the cover down over the foam cushion, ensuring the airbag module is positioned correctly on the outboard side of the seat back. Pull the cover edges around to the frame attachment points.
13. 13

    Secure Seat Back Cover with Hog Rings
    Install new hog rings to secure the seat back cover to the frame, starting at the bottom center and working outward and upward. Match the original hog ring locations noted during removal. Maintain even tension on the cover to avoid wrinkles while ensuring the cover is not over-tensioned. Use hog ring pliers to fully close each ring. Verify the side-impact airbag module sits flush in its pocket within the cover.
14. 14

    Reconnect Side-Impact Airbag
    Locate the side-impact airbag connector on the seat back cover (attached to the airbag module). Connect it to the mating connector on the seat back frame harness. Ensure the connector is fully seated and the release tab clicks into place. Verify no wires are pinched or routed incorrectly.
15. 15

    Reinstall Headrest and Seat Back Trim Panel
    Insert the headrest posts into the guide tubes on the seat back, pushing down until the headrest locks into place with an audible click. Adjust headrest to desired height. Position the seat back trim panel over the rear of the seat back, aligning the mounting clips with their receptacles on the seat frame. Press firmly around the perimeter until all clips engage and the panel is flush with the seat back structure.
    Torque spec

    Trim Panel Clips2 Nm (1.5 lb-ft)
16. 16

    Reinstall Seat in Vehicle
    Lift the seat assembly and position it over the mounting holes in the vehicle floor. Tilt the seat back slightly to access the electrical connectors underneath. Reconnect the side-impact airbag connector, occupant classification sensor connector, and seat position sensor connector, ensuring each connector clicks fully into place. Lower the seat onto the mounting studs. Install all four seat mounting bolts and tighten in a cross pattern to ensure even loading. Torque all four bolts to the factory-specified value (verify against 2005 Viper service manual — typical seat track bolts are in the 30-45 ft-lb range but must be confirmed) using a torque wrench.
    Torque spec

    Seat Mounting Bolts45 Nm (33 lb-ft)
17. 17

    Reconnect Battery and Test Systems
    Reconnect the negative battery terminal. Turn the ignition to the ON position (engine off) and verify the airbag warning light performs its normal self-check sequence (illuminates briefly, then extinguishes). If the airbag light remains illuminated or flashes, an error code is present and must be diagnosed with a scan tool. Test seat position adjustment (if power seat) and verify all functions operate normally.

Reassembly

1. Reinstallation follows the reverse order of removal with the following notes:
2. Ensure all electrical connectors for airbag modules and sensors are fully seated before reconnecting battery
3. Maintain even tension when installing seat covers with hog rings; over-tensioning can affect sensor calibration
4. Torque seat mounting bolts in a cross pattern to specification to ensure proper seat stability

Verification

• Verify airbag warning light extinguishes after approximately 6 seconds with ignition ON, indicating no fault codes
• Check that seat covers are smooth and wrinkle-free with no bunching or loose areas
• Confirm headrest locks securely in place and adjusts smoothly through its full range
• Test seat adjustment functions (if power seat) to verify no interference with newly installed covers
• Verify all electrical connectors are secure and no wiring is pinched or exposed
• Physically check that all four seat mounting bolts are tight and seat does not rock or shift

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