I was able to use regular sockets to take the seats out (thank you). Everything went smooth and the job was actually not that difficult. Got my heating element put down and my heated seats work perfectly now. My final question for any one who might know, does the battery have to be disconnected to remove the seats? This drastically prolonged the process, so I'm curious if it is really necessary or not. If I ever need to replace another heating element I'd like to know for the future. I was paranoid about setting off airbags/airbag warning light by unplugging the chair with the battery connected, so I unpugged it and waited 30 min before doing so.

 

I've never bothered to..... My GMC truck has an airbag fuse and I have removed the steering wheel airbag without even pulling that fuse on more than one occasion. I cannot "recommend" it though as everything says you should not. I only say that not because I think you will blow your airbag but because this an extremely sue happy world we live in now...