[EldRick]

I need to get the drivers headrest off, to bend it back a bit to avoid a stiff neck, and I'd like to ditch the rear ones to improve outward visibility aft.

Does anyone know how to remove the headrests from the seats?

 

[jeff white]

As far as the rear ones, just push in on the little black plastic clips (both on the same side) with raise and lower it. PUsh both at once and lift. You need to pull the seat forward to get it completely out.

 

[EldRick]

As far as the rear ones, just push in on the little black plastic clips (both on the same side) with raise and lower it. PUsh both at once and lift. You need to pull the seat forward to get it completely out.

I'd agree, but I tried that, and they don't come out with what I'd call a reasonable amount of force.

If you tell me you've done it I'll put a board on it for leverage and pry hard, but...

 

[fire_qc]

I remove mine to unbend the stem and make it less intrusive.
I can explain but if you need pics let me know.
Unscrew (counter-clockwise) the plastic cover at the edge of the backrest. Once those plastic things are loose, keep it upper and you'll find "cutter pins" that hold the head-rest. Find the right spot and pull it with small flat screw driver. It's like when you remove window handle from old car. Whatch out because it can goes out quickly in the car if you pull too hard. On both side off course.
Here's a pic one I finish with.. So I don't felt those thing pushing my head anymore..

 

[EldRick]

I got the rear headrests - the trick is to push in the releases on both legs at the same time - thanks!

On the front ones - after unscrewing the plastic caps, and pushing down the seat fabric, I see the head of the cotter pin. Just pull out to the side? Did you replace them afterward?

And how did you straighten the legs? They look like pretty sturdy tubing?

 

[fire_qc]

On the front ones - after unscrewing the plastic caps, and pushing down the seat fabric, I see the head of the cotter pin. Just pull out to the side? Did you replace them afterward?

And how did you straighten the legs? They look like pretty sturdy tubing?

You don't have to replace the pins. Only have to push a little the pins and the headrest will come. When you'll replace head-rest, the cutter pins will take place in the groove on the legs. It's very easy and take only couples of seconds.

For the legs, I used a hydraulic folding machine, but you don't need that machine, only a hammer and a hard surface wiil be good.

 

[EldRick]

To clarify this procedure:
- Lean the seat back, and get in the back seat.
- Push the button on the side of the headrest and raise it all the way up.
- Unscrew the plastic flanges about 1/2 turn - then slide them up their leg, and use tape to hold them out of the way.
- About 1/4 down inside the seat material, toward the front and on the drivers side of each leg, you will find a metal loop - about 1/8" diameter. This is the head of a spring that holds the leg in place. Put a skinny screwdriver into the hole, and move it around the leg and back toward you 1/4 rotation or so. This releases that leg, and you can rock the headrest up on that side to keep it from going back down in. Release the other leg the same way, and with both of them slightly up in the hole, you can now move the whole headrest up and out.
- To straighten the bend in the legs, I used a machinists vise, and almost flattened the bend completely, to move the headrest back away from my head a bit.
- Replace the headrest by sliding the legs back into the holes - the springs will lock them in. Screw the plastic flanges back in place.
- Enjoy sitting upright without having your head pushed forward.

 

[fire_qc]

Your procedure is well explain! That's what I did but your writings better than mine!!

And you're dam right, - Enjoy sitting upright without having your head pushed forward.!

 

[devbolt]

Just a note, the angle of the headrests is there for safety reasons to help reduce whiplash injuries. Removing them entirely will obviously result in death in a serious accident, but changing the angle of them could result in a more serious whiplash injury.

The actually rules for the headrest are here:
https://one.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/rulings/HeadRest/update/202FinalRule.html

 

[EldRick]

Those rules were apparently written for the average driver, who slumps in the seat and has the seatback partially reclined.

I sit pretty upright when driving, so the headrest hits me in the back of the head.

This procedure moves it back maybe 1/4" or so from where it contacts my head, and is unlikely to cause a safety issue, IMHO. I note that the document you link has a whole section on how the headrests "may cause significant intrusions into the space where these occupants typically place their heads, forcing their heads into an unnatural forward-tilting position."

 

[fire_qc]

I got almost the same speech in another forum. To prevent head-rest pushing you head forward is to rise it to max position. But even with that, still pushing my head.
We don't recommended this mod unless you really feel bad. Why the Bolt head-rest cannot be adjusted like oher cars?? Rules should apply for everyone...
This is the real downside of Bolt, front seat in general, too narrow, less adjustement and head-rest pushing your head forward. Chevrolet have to change those seats because they are deal breaker for someone...

 

[EldRick]

The headrests are an issue with almost all new cars, and is the most common reason people take their car to an upholstery shop. I had the headrests on my last two cars modified for this same reason.
Otherwise, I find the seat quite comfortable.

 

[specialed]

I sit pretty upright when driving, so the headrest hits me in the back of the head.

I sit upright too and I like that my head rests against the head rest. What I don't like is that the head rest is too low. The top of the head rest is just below the middle of my ear. Unfortunately, the head rest moves on a diagonal rather than vertically. Moving it higher also moves it forward.

My head seems to bulge out the back at this point too. For me, moving the head rest higher should also move it slightly farther back; exactly the opposite of how it is designed.

Ed

 

[fire_qc]

Btw, they're not called head-rest but head-restraint. That "safety" device is made for security not for comfort.. But EldRick is right, they're on many news car by now but some of them can be ajusted back-to-front.. My Celica GT-S 1992 have head-restraint ajustable.. 25 years later !? What now ugh?? How many people dying in their cars because the head-restraint isn't fit correctly?? We don't say remove it, we speak about light ajustement.
Looking this video and I really appreciate what I did..

 

[Sean Nelson]

Looking this video and I really appreciate what I did..

Worthwhile video and not overlong - thanks for posting!

 

[Bazinga]

Makes you think twice about removing rear head-restraints in cars. I've always liked removing them just so the rear window view isn't obstructed by anything, but not at the cost of my passengers' safety.

 

[fire_qc]

Makes you think twice about removing rear head-restraints in cars. I've always liked removing them just so the rear window view isn't obstructed by anything, but not at the cost of my passengers' safety.

Correct, that's what I did. I remove rear head-restraints but don't get rid of them. If I'll have to transport people in the rear I'll put back on those things. But for me, 99.9% of the time, keep the head-restraint in my basement and fold the rear seat..

 

[Sean Nelson]

Makes you think twice about removing rear head-restraints in cars. I've always liked removing them just so the rear window view isn't obstructed by anything, but not at the cost of my passengers' safety.

I've removed the rear head restraints in my Prius C for exactly that reason, but I keep them in a bag in the trunk and install them if I have to carry any passengers back there.

 

[eops]

Head restraint saved me once. Since sitting with a proper posture results in my head being right on the head rest and not hovering a bit away, once time I got rear ended the rest absorbed the impact quite a bit, had I not been positioned that way, some neck injury would be expected.

 

[Bazinga]

Not sure what kind of posture I have when I'm driving, but my head does rest fully on the head rest, but hopefully I'll never have to test them out fully.