Installing headrests

[1602bmw]

I've recently bought some headrests and the drivers one fits nicely, but in the passenger seat, if I look down the hole where the headrests post should go, there seems to be a metal bar which is stopping them about 5cm in. Any idea's what this is and what I can do? Can I drill through it? 

[Mike Self]

Be advised that the headrest posts on roundies come in two different diameters:  10mm and 12 mm, so make sure your headrests (and seats) have compatible posts and receptacles.  

 

I suspect the piece of metal you're seeing is the clip that holds the headrest in whatever vertical position you wish; it should snap into one of the notches on the post.  You may have to remove the upholstery on the seat back to access the receptacles, and lubricate that clip so it'll move.  It's probably stuck from disuse.  Those headrests were difficult to move up and down when the car was new, and haven't improved with age...

 

mike

[1602bmw]

Ah the clip being stuck may well be it as I don't think they have had headrests installed before. 

[1602bmw]

I've unscrewed the mid/lower section of the back of the seat for access, but can't seem to locate the clips as I think they are tucked behind the upper part of the seat backing, but not sure. 

 

Attached are a couple of (probably not helpful!) pictures taken from the back of the seat looking up. Any thoughts on where I should be routing around to try and free them? I've sprayed lubricant on what I think I may be the right area

Edited June 7, 2023 by 1602bmw

[Conserv]

What’s the inside diameter of the tube circled in red below? I can’t read the context of these photos well enough to understand the location or size of said tube. And does the manufacturer’s card, circled in blue, have a date stamped onto it?

 

Do both front seats have widespread holes for headrests? I’m under the impression that the seats date sometime after late 1968 — the beginning of headrests — and before late January 1973 — the introduction of the 12 mm. headrest support. But I haven’t seen anything to confirm that. Are the front seats unambiguously a matched pair? Are the seat recliners chrome-plated, painted with black splatter paint, or something else entirely?

 

The 1975-76 seats have a sliding bar (actuated by a push-button on the left panel of the seat) that locks the headrests in any given position. I don’t think that’s what we’re dealing with here, but without a single photo of your seats or headrests, I cannot eliminate that admittedly remote possibility.

 

Although it might not lead to a solution, we’d at least have a clue what we are dealing with if we saw photos of your seats and headrests!

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[1602bmw]

Hi Steve, 

 

It's a '73 with 10mm posts on the head rests. I've ended up taking it to my 02 specialist as I couldn't figure it out without causing any potential damage. Better safe than sorry! 😉

 

 

[Conserv]

And that’s a gorgeous interior in great condition!

 

Regards,

 

Steve

 

[1602bmw]

Thank you! Hopefully it will eventually be even nicer when I get the headrest sorted too 😎