Stuck front headrest

LabRat · Post by **LabRat** » 06 Apr 2011, 17:28

Hi all. Anyone else have this problem?

First of all, I do understand how to remove the front headrests on my '97 850 wagon. The problem is that passenger side appears to be stuck. One side (the inboard side) of the headrest will come up a little but the other side doesn't . I can feel it move a little in and out, but the catch mechanism does not seem to be releasing. I've tried wiggling the headrest forward/backward and side to side to free it up, but its no use. I have a helper and we're pulling the headrest straight up so it shouldn't be binding because of any weird pull angle.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. =)

-Jacob

Post by **kcodyjr** » 06 Apr 2011, 17:35

Haven't seen this myself, but you could try squirting a little Liquid Wrench or PB Blaster down those shafts.

Post by **jimmy57** » 06 Apr 2011, 21:13

keep pushing, the plastic catch hasn't been moved forward enough.

Post by **Ozark Lee** » 06 Apr 2011, 22:21

I have found the removal process to go much easier if you have two people involved. The headrest needs to come out all at once, you can't just release one side and then just walk it off from the other side. Since I don't have three hands I incorporated my wife to lift the headrest as I used my two thumbs to depress the releases.

...Lee

LabRat · Post by **LabRat** » 07 Apr 2011, 03:33

Thank you for the suggestions.

kcodyjr- I was actually thinking about trying that. I'll give it a shot.

jimmy57- I pushed them in to the point of stretching the leather. I'd have to cut a hole in the leather to push them in much further.

Lee- As mentioned already, I do have a helper and we were pulling it straight up. The driver side came out with no problem. What I'm saying is that when we pull the headrest up, only one side of it gives movement. The other side seems to be stuck.

I'm trying to avoid having to undo the hogrings at the bottom, but that may be where I end up. Any other suggestions are much appreciated =)