Rear seat headrest removal ?

[Johnny Rocket]

Evening all.

I too would have liked the option to fully remove the rear bench headrests when not being used, such that the upper rear load space with headrests ‘down’ is not compromised, and also to maximise the floor pan level load bay storage volume when the bench seat is rotated flat for sleeping mode.

I dislike the idea of sawing off pieces of nicely made trim to get access to the pivots etc., so this afternoon I took a look around the back of the seat to investigate the prospect instead of removing the complete bench seat rear shell to get access.

It’s a piece of cake to do, and you then have clear access to the swinging mechanism and to dismantle it without having to jemmy the plastic end plates.

For anyone who’s interested I can prepare a photo sequence to illustrate how it’s done,

Thanks all.

 

[nigpdreadingfc]

Evening all.

I too would have liked the option to fully remove the rear bench headrests when not being used, such that the upper rear load space with headrests ‘down’ is not compromised, and also to maximise the floor pan level load bay storage volume when the bench seat is rotated flat for sleeping mode.

I dislike the idea of sawing off pieces of nicely made trim to get access to the pivots etc., so this afternoon I took a look around the back of the seat to investigate the prospect instead of removing the complete bench seat rear shell to get access.

It’s a piece of cake to do, and you then have clear access to the swinging mechanism and to dismantle it without having to jemmy the plastic end plates.

For anyone who’s interested I can prepare a photo sequence to illustrate how it’s done,

Thanks all.

That would be a massive help, thanks

 

[Johnny Rocket]

Evening all.

I too would have liked the option to fully remove the rear bench headrests when not being used, such that the upper rear load space with headrests ‘down’ is not compromised, and also to maximise the floor pan level load bay storage volume when the bench seat is rotated flat for sleeping mode.

I dislike the idea of sawing off pieces of nicely made trim to get access to the pivots etc., so this afternoon I took a look around the back of the seat to investigate the prospect instead of removing the complete bench seat rear shell to get access.

It’s a piece of cake to do, and you then have clear access to the swinging mechanism and to dismantle it without having to jemmy the plastic end plates.

For anyone who’s interested I can prepare a photo sequence to illustrate how it’s done,

Thanks all.

Evening all.

I’ve been working on this some more today - everything is apart without cutting, abuse or breakages - and I now have a plan whereby I believe I can create a system just like most of us are used to with rear seat headrests; i.e. a set-up with which you will be able to pull the headrests out to store when you don’t need them, but still retaining a simple refit with click-into-place action when you do . . . so achieving the best of both worlds.

If it works - a few simple parts are on order for my trials - then it will be easy to achieve without butchery to any of the existing parts.

More later in the week .

 

[Pollewop]

....and of course there's always YouTube...

 

[Johnny Rocket]

Yes, but . . . please read the foregoing - the YT video shows a method involving cutting the swinging bracket end caps, and does not permit an easily reversible refitment, which is the objective of my alternative !

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

I love the idea of removing these, there are just 2 of us and they just take up space and block the rear view. My question is though is it legal to have them removed?, I.e. a MOT failure etc. I am old enough to remember most cars not having headrests but I would imagine these days it is a legal requirement?

 

[Johnny Rocket]

I love the idea of removing these, there are just 2 of us and they just take up space and block the rear view. My question is though is it legal to have them removed?, I.e. a MOT failure etc. I am old enough to remember most cars not having headrests but I would imagine these days it is a legal requirement?

“. . . an easily reversible refitment, which is the objective of my alternative !”

(so irrespective of any requirement in law, for a clear conscience you simply refit them when you wish to)

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

“. . . an easily reversible refitment, which is the objective of my alternative !”

(so irrespective of any requirement in law, for a clear conscience you simply refit them when you wish to)

A quick search seems to show not checked at MOT. Looking forward to the instructions!.

 

[vbk1975]

I love the idea of removing these, there are just 2 of us and they just take up space and block the rear view. My question is though is it legal to have them removed?, I.e. a MOT failure etc. I am old enough to remember most cars not having headrests but I would imagine these days it is a legal requirement?

The latest cars (last few years) have the front headrests basically un-removable without special action.

Rear headrests can still be removed to allow seats to be folded flat etc. But should fitted if seat occupied and my conjecture would be that if the vehicle was fitted with headrests when sold then the MOT test would probably expect them to be operational.

 

[Maidment_Ocean]

The latest cars (last few years) have the front headrests basically un-removable without special action.

Rear headrests can still be removed to allow seats to be folded flat etc. But should fitted if seat occupied and my conjecture would be that if the vehicle was fitted with headrests when sold then the MOT test would probably expect them to be operational.

Does not appear to be checked at MOT as far as I can see, obviously California is the other way around anyway in that front seats headrests can be removed. Johnny Rockets point stands though you could just put them back in for MOT.

 

[Betsycalifornia]

I love the idea of removing these, there are just 2 of us and they just take up space and block the rear view. My question is though is it legal to have them removed?, I.e. a MOT failure etc. I am old enough to remember most cars not having headrests but I would imagine these days it is a legal requirement?

It’s not an MOT failure for me, however, caveat. I’m retired so things may have changed.

 

[Abracadabra]

I removed my headrests some years ago.
Many MOT's since and no problems with passing.
My first attempts to remove the headrests looked liked a really damaging procedure. However, I purchased a set of long steel punches from Screwfix. Using a heavy lump hammer shifted the pin. Both these details are described above in the thread. It is a brutal process.
Delighted to not have them taking up storage room, removing them do make a difference.

 

[Keith Smith]

When I removed mine I kept them in the wardrobe just in case I had to carry passengers. They were quick and easy to pop back in and took little space up in the wardrobe.