Rear Headrest broke
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Austin
Rear Headrest broke
Need help in fixing rear seat headrest. I have the flip down type. One of them wont flip back up! I don't want to spend $325 for a new headrest. Any ideas. I can get it to barely stay if a push really hard back and down at the same time, but it flips back down if i hit a big bump. Thanks for the help!
John
John
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 593
Likes: 6
fold down the head restraint then fold down the seat if you want you dont really have to
but after you fold down the head restraint you will see 2 plastic trim peices, they just pop straight out, you will need to fold over the leather seat cover just a bit and you should see the locking mechanism, if not you can also just pull straight up on the head restraint and just remove the whole thing.
its been a while since ive messed with that but it should all be right there
worst case you unzip the whole back of the seat and remove all the fabric lol but thats a lot of work to get it all back on nice a and smooth.
but after you fold down the head restraint you will see 2 plastic trim peices, they just pop straight out, you will need to fold over the leather seat cover just a bit and you should see the locking mechanism, if not you can also just pull straight up on the head restraint and just remove the whole thing.
its been a while since ive messed with that but it should all be right there
worst case you unzip the whole back of the seat and remove all the fabric lol but thats a lot of work to get it all back on nice a and smooth.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 593
Likes: 6
honestly i dont really remember, the whole thing looks a bit like the trunk latch. but the whole mechanism has a tendency to either slip back or simply jam open if you dont use it very often so first ide try to find it and put a dab of 3 in 1 oil or wd 40 in it and test it out.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 593
Likes: 6
ive actually heard of them going bad when they are in the down position for long periods of time. so ide keep them up whenever possible such as when you park the car at work or home just put them up then on the way back and forth pop them down. not necessarily every day but every week at least.
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Austin
Broken Flip Down Headrest
Ok- I will write this up b/c no one on swedespeed or here has ever done so. I finally took some time to get into this and fixed it VERY easily!
Steps:
1. Lower headrest and seat back to gain access to headrest mechanism.
2. Remove Oval rings around the headrest frame. These have a split in them. You can push split together enough to get one side free or use a flat head to free it. The other side comes out easily after that. Then squeeze the leather together freeing the piece that holds the leather trim together between the headrest posts.
3. Optional- there is a large black grate in between the headrest posts. this also comes out fairly easily and gives you FULL access to the locking mechanism. Just work one side (back first) out of the leather then the other. It goes in the same way. An additional 5 minutes of work total. This is optional b/c it is not a necessary step to lubricate the piston/locking fingers if you have an oil can with a straw that can get in there.
4. Now you have full access to the locking mechanism. Put ignition in position II and lock/release the mechanism a few times with your finger so you see how it works. Here is the fix: lubricate the piston and surfaces of the locking mechanism so the slide freely. Now test it by locking/releasing the mechanism again. there is a slight pause for the piston as it returns to its "rest" position after you have unlocked the headrest. This is normal. Double check everything works and that there is nothing else broken.
5. Reassemble all parts.
Mine was fixed this way, but you might actually have a broken spring or something. At least now you can see everything and determine if you need a whole new frame. If there is something else wrong other than the piston sticking, you might need a whole new frame. Tasca and a few others have the frame for about $130. See thread for part number. Call and verify using your VIN that it is the correct part for your vehicle. Good luck.
Steps:
1. Lower headrest and seat back to gain access to headrest mechanism.
2. Remove Oval rings around the headrest frame. These have a split in them. You can push split together enough to get one side free or use a flat head to free it. The other side comes out easily after that. Then squeeze the leather together freeing the piece that holds the leather trim together between the headrest posts.
3. Optional- there is a large black grate in between the headrest posts. this also comes out fairly easily and gives you FULL access to the locking mechanism. Just work one side (back first) out of the leather then the other. It goes in the same way. An additional 5 minutes of work total. This is optional b/c it is not a necessary step to lubricate the piston/locking fingers if you have an oil can with a straw that can get in there.
4. Now you have full access to the locking mechanism. Put ignition in position II and lock/release the mechanism a few times with your finger so you see how it works. Here is the fix: lubricate the piston and surfaces of the locking mechanism so the slide freely. Now test it by locking/releasing the mechanism again. there is a slight pause for the piston as it returns to its "rest" position after you have unlocked the headrest. This is normal. Double check everything works and that there is nothing else broken.
5. Reassemble all parts.
Mine was fixed this way, but you might actually have a broken spring or something. At least now you can see everything and determine if you need a whole new frame. If there is something else wrong other than the piston sticking, you might need a whole new frame. Tasca and a few others have the frame for about $130. See thread for part number. Call and verify using your VIN that it is the correct part for your vehicle. Good luck.
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN USA
This is the easiest fix!
Ok- I will write this up b/c no one on swedespeed or here has ever done so. I finally took some time to get into this and fixed it VERY easily!
Steps:
1. Lower headrest and seat back to gain access to headrest mechanism.
2. Remove Oval rings around the headrest frame. These have a split in them. You can push split together enough to get one side free or use a flat head to free it. The other side comes out easily after that. Then squeeze the leather together freeing the piece that holds the leather trim together between the headrest posts.
3. Optional- there is a large black grate in between the headrest posts. this also comes out fairly easily and gives you FULL access to the locking mechanism. Just work one side (back first) out of the leather then the other. It goes in the same way. An additional 5 minutes of work total. This is optional b/c it is not a necessary step to lubricate the piston/locking fingers if you have an oil can with a straw that can get in there.
4. Now you have full access to the locking mechanism. Put ignition in position II and lock/release the mechanism a few times with your finger so you see how it works. Here is the fix: lubricate the piston and surfaces of the locking mechanism so the slide freely. Now test it by locking/releasing the mechanism again. there is a slight pause for the piston as it returns to its "rest" position after you have unlocked the headrest. This is normal. Double check everything works and that there is nothing else broken.
5. Reassemble all parts.
Mine was fixed this way, but you might actually have a broken spring or something. At least now you can see everything and determine if you need a whole new frame. If there is something else wrong other than the piston sticking, you might need a whole new frame. Tasca and a few others have the frame for about $130. See thread for part number. Call and verify using your VIN that it is the correct part for your vehicle. Good luck.
Steps:
1. Lower headrest and seat back to gain access to headrest mechanism.
2. Remove Oval rings around the headrest frame. These have a split in them. You can push split together enough to get one side free or use a flat head to free it. The other side comes out easily after that. Then squeeze the leather together freeing the piece that holds the leather trim together between the headrest posts.
3. Optional- there is a large black grate in between the headrest posts. this also comes out fairly easily and gives you FULL access to the locking mechanism. Just work one side (back first) out of the leather then the other. It goes in the same way. An additional 5 minutes of work total. This is optional b/c it is not a necessary step to lubricate the piston/locking fingers if you have an oil can with a straw that can get in there.
4. Now you have full access to the locking mechanism. Put ignition in position II and lock/release the mechanism a few times with your finger so you see how it works. Here is the fix: lubricate the piston and surfaces of the locking mechanism so the slide freely. Now test it by locking/releasing the mechanism again. there is a slight pause for the piston as it returns to its "rest" position after you have unlocked the headrest. This is normal. Double check everything works and that there is nothing else broken.
5. Reassemble all parts.
Mine was fixed this way, but you might actually have a broken spring or something. At least now you can see everything and determine if you need a whole new frame. If there is something else wrong other than the piston sticking, you might need a whole new frame. Tasca and a few others have the frame for about $130. See thread for part number. Call and verify using your VIN that it is the correct part for your vehicle. Good luck.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
