Removing front head rests

rhc4y4 · Post by **rhc4y4** » 02 Jul 2009, 15:10

Is it possible to remove the front head rests on a 1995 850 GLT? They have a zipper on the under-side but don't seem to have a release latch. My leather is tearing a bit on the driver seat and I got seat covers that look real nice but require the head rests to come off. HELP PLEASE!

Post by **meine39** » 02 Jul 2009, 17:27

There are a couple of hidden releases on the seatback, in line with the two vertical supports for the headrest. The releases are just below the vertical upholstery seam of the seatback - feel around and you'll find them. Release both and them and the headrest should pull stright up and out.

Make sure any seat covers you use don't interfere with the operation of the SIPS side airbags if your car is so equipped (airbags are mounted in the side bolsters).

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 02 Jul 2009, 18:27

Push here:

: DSC01981.JPG (203.27 KiB) Viewed 12861 times

It also helps if you have a "designated lifter" to assist you - it wants to come straight up and it is difficult to lift while both of your hands are on the release tabs.

...Lee

wurkin4it · Post by **wurkin4it** » 28 Dec 2011, 16:46

I am trying to put some sheepskins on the '00 V70 and don't think I am looking in the right spot for the tabs. I feel an indentation slightly above where the thumbs are in this picture, but I don't feel the tabs. Is there any additional "guidance" you can share with me, or am I doomed to sprain my thumbs pushing on imaginary tabs while my wife feigns exhaustion from trying to lift the headrest?

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 28 Dec 2011, 18:24

Don't try to lift the headrest until the tabs are located and depressed or it will put the release tabs in a bind.

...Lee

Post by **Faheyk1981** » 29 Dec 2011, 04:14

Yeah they definitely come off. BUT and its a big but, its really hard the first time getting them off. In particular if they've never been taken off before. You do need one person to lift it while another person pushes in those two points in the picture above. It took me atleast a half dozen goes till i got it.

In the future its easy taking them off after that as the whole mechanisim has been loosened after the first time.

wurkin4it · Post by **wurkin4it** » 29 Dec 2011, 16:17

I have not been successful locating the tabs. I dont feel any "give" when I am feeling around. I will give my thumbs a rest and try again later. Thanks for the help.

Post by **precopster** » 30 Dec 2011, 18:32

My curiosity got the better of me so I tore up the vinyl on a V70 seat that I was about to throw. There are two tabs that must be broken.

They are NOT actual buttons. You are breaking tabs with two plastic welds. If you have the co-ordinates you know exactly where to punch as in the photos. I would punch them in with a wrench end or something else that's heavy and blunt so you don't pierce the vinyl. If my cordinates are slightly wrong for your vehicle just use a pin to pierce small holes in the vinyl to locate the tabs.

Once these tabs are broken and pressed the headrest slips out like butter.

The weird thing is the headrest will still come down and lock once the tabs are broken. There must be something behind the tabs that actually releases the headrests.