How to remove the headrest

[phanal]

Hi all,

I just bought a three seater middle seat (first time I see one, I bought-it ) for my 85 vanagon. The problem that I have is one of the head rest are tears out. So, I fund a new one but I can't figure out how to remove the tears headrest without breaking out the seat.

So, do somebody have any idea how to remove those headrest.

Thanks for your help.

Steph.
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Stephane Blanchet-Cote

1967 beetle Canadian standard
1967 deluxe Beetle (sold)
1967 deluxe Beetle (sold)
1967 deluxe Beetle (sold)
1959 panel bus (rusted out)
1985 vanagon (sold)

[erdonline]

The headrests are held in place by a type of spring clip- I'm sure it has a more proper name, but I don't know it. If you look carefully there are clack plastic covers at the base of the headrest. There is a slot in them, and the two ends of the clip stick out. It's sort of like a cotter pin, but not quite. Anyway, push the outer end of the pin back. Be careful, as it might just shoot across the van. There is one in each pole of the headrest. After you remove the clips, the headrest will pul out. Put the new one in and replace the clips.

Ed in CT

[phanal]

Thanks Ed, really helpfull. The new headrest look really better.

Have a nice day.

Steph.
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Stephane Blanchet-Cote

1967 beetle Canadian standard
1967 deluxe Beetle (sold)
1967 deluxe Beetle (sold)
1967 deluxe Beetle (sold)
1959 panel bus (rusted out)
1985 vanagon (sold)

[randywebb]

How do you get those clips back in?
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[brent239]

[kamzcab86]

[randywebb]

I can only get one leg of the clip in - have tried from different directions & also used vice grips to squeeze & hold the legs together...
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[kamzcab86]

You might not be getting the clip lined up with the top-most groove in the headrest post (the straight part of the clip fits in the groove). Lift the headrest a bit and give it another go. Once everything is lined up, the clips push back on pretty easily.
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~Kamz
1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子

[randywebb]

thx - actually I took the headrests out all the way (to swap the seats) and am trying to get the clip in w/o the headrests in at all

I'll try it again....
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1986 2.1L Westy 2wd Auto Trans.

[brflynn1]

Ed - Great tip! I was changing out headrests on my Vanagon restoration project and would never have thought to look under the plastic collar for a cotter pin.

Thanks,

Brendan

[Toxteth47]

I think you have to get the one bent pin hooked in first and then vice grip holding the straight one will slide in. [This is a great example of how something that can be said or shown in seconds in real life can take hours on the internet].

[kurt vonnagon]

This is strange. All i do is pull the clip clock wise pull up and do the other side slides right off. Clips never come off. You guys are talking about the clip how you adjust the height of the head rest. My vanagons are all the same.

[drenner01]

As a tip for anyone trying to do this. Close ALL of your doors before attempting or else those clips may fly up to 15 feet away while trying to remove or replace them. Mine just shot into the bushes and I think i will be in need of a new one. Anyone have a spare?
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Doug
'91 Westy Syncro, '91 Orly Blue Multivan from Canada, '87 Westy Weekender Syncro, '87 Tintop Syncro

"Exposure is Half the Battle"

[weekendr]

You don't need to remove the clip to remove to remove the headrest. Just push it sideways (rotate) while lifting.Push it the other way to reinstall.
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Early 1986 Wolfsburg Westy Weekender 2WD GL manual with KEP EJ22