Headrest removal

[aj81spider]

I have a 74 which I retrofitted with 3 point seat belts. I bought the seat belt guides from AutoRicambi that fit under the head rest. Unfortunately my head rest pulls out only so far and stops so I can't pull it off to put the seat belt guide on. I don't want to just yank it and break something. Any trick to getting the head rest completely off the seat?

[focodave]

A.J.
I just did a complete re-upholstering job on mine, so I know what is holding the headrests in place.
It is a metal clip that engages the grooves cut around the perimeter of the headrest stems.
What you need is either more force and/or some lubrication.
I would pull the headrest out as far as you can, then spray some WD-40 on the stem so that it runs down the stem into the seat and gets on the clip.
Then work the headrest up and down to get the WD-40 on the stem and clip as best you can.
That will lubricate the stem groove that is being stubborn and should allow the thing to come all the way out with some extra pulling.
There is no secret button that needs to be pushed or anything like that.
Just pull the headrest up and all the way out.
Dave

[aj81spider]

Thanks Dave,

I'll give it a try tomorrow.

[njoconnor]

I'm also installing three point belts (a couple weeks away yet). A year ago I disassembled my seats to get them ready for reupholstering. When I took the pressboard backs off the seats, I could easily remove the clip holding the headrest in place, and the headrest slipped right out. It was only 2-3 screws at the bottom holding the back on, and slipping it back for reassembly was easy. Once back from the shop, I reassembled the seats, and installed the belt guides in the process. I had no issues with the seat backs, but YMMV.

Neil

[aj81spider]

Well I got the passenger side off no problem and one of the driver's side let go. The other side does not want to release.

I had the seats redone at an upholstery shop, so I'll have to check if the back comes off. The headrest is not just pulling out. I pulled hard enough that I worried about breaking the seat.

[juvius]

i had one that was difficult like that. i ended up pulling the back cover off to get at that clip that stops it from coming out. it was like three screws at the bottom then the back comes off...

[focodave]

A.J.
I am guessing, by your forum handle, that you are driving a 1981.
The later cars don't have a removable back panel on the seat, like the earlier cars did.
If you have the original seats in the car, the only way to get to the clip is to remove the upholstery from the seat.

[focodave]

Disregard previous post.
I see now, from your original post, that you have a 1974.
You may very well be able to remove only the back panel of the seat back, to access the headrest clip.

[aj81spider]

No worries - my screen name is a lesson in being careful about what name to pick when you sign up! When I joined I had just bought an 81, and the idea that I would have another Fiat never occurred to me. Of course a month later I had the 74 - and eventually sold the 81 this past fall, leaving me with a mismatched screen name.

I'll be checking the back of the seat to see if I can unscrew it. Unfortunately I had the seats reupholstered by a custom shop, so I'm not sure if they kept the stock configuration or not.