1970 Bench Seat Headrest Removal Questions?

[70FuryWagon]

I'm trying to get the headrests off my 70 Custom Suburban front bench seat so I can put a seat cover on over the industrial grade taxi cab vinyl material that a previous owner had the all the seats recovered with. They were in the down position and I can get them to go up, but not out of the seat backs. I don't want to use too much force, so what's the trick? They obviously have been out before when they were reupholstered, but maybe the seat back material was removed exposing the mechanism that retains the headrests making it easier. Do both the headrest posts need to come out at the same time, or one at a time? There does not seem to be any release button around the posts or any room to slide anything down along the posts to release a catch (like on the single flat post of a Fox Chassis Mustang headrest). Thanks in advance for any help on this.

 

[bluefury361]

They should just pull up and out. I think there is some kind of a "stop" at the end of each post so they won't come out during normal adjusting/setting. Both should come out at the same time, so avoid binding them, pull straight out. Maybe some WD40, or a 2X4 will help.

 

[1970cat]

there is a metal tab inside the rear of the seat that locks into a notch in the rods to keep them from coming out. you will have to remove the cover or cut a hole in it to remove them.

 

[polara71]

there is a metal tab inside the rear of the seat that locks into a notch in the rods to keep them from coming out. you will have to remove the cover or cut a hole in it to remove them.

I disagree... a good hard pull straight out "should" do it, though I have had trouble in the past

 

[68plymouth383]

I couldn't see the dealer cutting the seat open to replace a headrest under warranty.....

 

[Fratzog]

I think the notches are towards the rear so give it good yank up and forward. They do come out.

 

[1970cat]

i stand corrected

 

[70FuryWagon]

Thanks for all the replies! After some more searching I found this post with photos that shows the inside of a 70 Duster seat (am I correct to assume all Mopar seat types in 70 used the same type of headrest mount?). Hope it helps and maybe a sticky can be added for anyone looking for help on this in the future. Now, how to get enough upward force on the headrests, as to not wreck the headrest, headliner, or put a dent in the roof. I tried putting a extending lug wrench under the headrests and pulled up as hard as I could yesterday and it did not budge at all (I'm old, but not weak). Maybe I should just cut the seat cover to fit around the twin posts and lower the headrests all the way to hold the seat cover in place (and cover the cuts) and call it good enough. I really don't want to damage the headrests or anything else (the potential "1 step forward and 2 steps back" prospect really irritates me).

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=276383

 

[300rag]

The 2x4 trick worked for me. It fills the gap well and applies pressure over a wider area for less chance of damage to the seat.