Headrest Insanity - Finally Solved!

[stimpy2301]

Many of us have been in agreement that the forward-canted headrests in these cars are ludicrous and force many of us (especially us tall folk) into rather uncomfortable positions.

There has been much discussion on the topic -- reference this Godawful Headrests thread and this HATE the front seat headrests thread. The latter seems to have found one of the better solutions -- the VW Jetta headrest.

I bought one. It was an improvement, but it STILL stuck forward further than I found comfortable. Its benefits were: a slightly more curved surface and not as tall -- both of which allow your head to sit back a little further.

It's still not enough for me, so I decided to go for broke. I took the Sonic headrests apart to see what's inside -- and then I recruited assistance from a friend at a local machine shop.

The results are shown below, and they are glorious. Notice the two headrest skeletons side-by-side: the ridiculously canted one is obviously the original shape, and the much straighter one had been adjusted by the machine shop. He had some sort of large form press, put a bar across the back at the two bends, and gave it a squeeze. (I wasn't there at the time, so that's the best description I can offer.)

Here is a picture of it installed in the car, and -- what the WHAT?! -- it's positioned more like a normal headrest! Party bonus: it's still the OEM headrest, so it stays locked in like it should, and it matches the interior like it should. So immensely comfortable -- I'm actually EXCITED for my long commute tomorrow to enjoy my newfound comfort.

Please don't ask if my colleague can do yours for you too; I won't be asking him to do any more after he finishes mine, as he took time away from his regular duties to do this for me. My recommendation is to find a local machine shop near you and see if they can do it. It's worth it for your posture and your comfort.

Disassembly of the headrest is easy, just remove it from the car, open the flap in the upholstery on its bottom, remove the two plastic washers, and -- this part is a two person job -- have someone squeeze and open the foam, and have the other person pull the skeleton out by rocking it side to side. (Reassembly is stupidly easy, it just slips right back in there.)

By the way, if anyone wants the VW headrest I bought instead (just one), I'll be putting that up for sale soon, since I won't be needing it.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

That looks amazing! Putting that on my to do list.

 

[Papasonic]

That is a very good solution. The end result does look like a safe alteration that would still provide adequate protection. There are many vehicles on the road with high-back seats that have the same profile.
I have a hydraulic press in the garage that would make short work of this modification; I do want to do this too, as the stock angle is just too severe. I have not pursued modifications yet because of not realizing how easy it comes apart.
Thanks for sharing what appears to be a simple and also a safe and economical headrest modification.

 

[Eric Smit]

trend setter.

 

[Wooksquatch]

Great work looks awesome thanks. Now if you could solve the armrest issue you would be king of interior problem children.

 

[Natesriv]

I like it and we need to get some European rear headrests...that aren't for big American noggins!

 

[ahtoxa]

Stipulation disclaimer.

I wonder what the purpose of the forward cant is? Could it be done so that in a rear-end collision your neck doesn't over-extend as it's being forced downward after rebound with the head restraint?

I'm 6'7" and haven't had the issue with the headrests.

 

[stimpy2301]

I wonder what the purpose of the forward cant is?

Undoubtedly for 'improved' whiplash mitigation. Posture be damned.

 

[jalovec]

I may actually try to put mine in my press tonight. I've just had mine turned backwards until now.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using Tapatalk

 

[Swordsmith]

Turned backwards the things sit so far back as to clearly be useless. Turned forward, I am guaranteed to need chiropractic help within a week. I have been wondering about this very plan for quite a while but assumed some sort of advanced sewing would be needed to take the things apart, and was waiting until I could pick up a spare. With this as a guide, I definitely plan to take mine apart and try this out. Worst case scenario they go back in the attic, which is where they are now anyway!

 

[Lazza]

This headrest issue is interesting. I am not bothered by the headrest at all; my head doesn't touch it while driving (..albeit I am only 5' 7"). Yet apparently many on this forum are really bothered by it. Conversely my old 2004 Nissan Xterra's headrest did touch the back of my head and this drove me crazy. I wound up yanking the thing up to its tallest position. Forget about whiplash protection but at least I was comfortable. However no one on the (once active) Nissan Xterra every complained about the headrests.


_Lazza

 

[stimpy2301]

Now approaching a week since completing this fix, while driving around I feel just like Cartman when he's all alone in his theme park -- "I'M SOOO HAAAPPPPYYYYY!!!!"

Seriously, this mod is life-changing.

 

[RMinNJ]

Cool Headrest mod.

Cool.. I can say my seat+headrest have been postion tolerably..but that is it ..I cannot drive with it in any other position. Tilt the seat and I'll
end up mucking with it for a week to find the position again.

How does one bend them in the press without cracking the plastic top portion?

I wonder how much force is necessary and if one can just stand on it or clamp it down and use a big breaker pipe to bend them? Or, I see, one presses on it at the angled spot with a big press ? Wonder how much force is nessary to bend them.

 

[Papasonic]

I just completed the headrest mod on the driver side seat of my hatch. Before the mod, I compensated by having the seatback angled back further than I normally would.
It was an easy task for my arbor press, after figuring out how to set it up so as not to break anything.
Thanks stimpy2301 for the idea and instructions to disassemble the headrest. It does take two people to do the job easily. I really like the results.
If there is any interest in the way to set up the arbor press to do this; I am going to do another headrest for the wife's Sonic soon, and could take some photos.

 

[RMinNJ]

I just completed the headrest mod on the driver side seat of my hatch. Before the mod, I compensated by having the seatback angled back further than I normally would.
It was an easy task for my arbor press, after figuring out how to set it up so as not to break anything.
Thanks stimpy2301 for the idea and instructions to disassemble the headrest. It does take two people to do the job easily. I really like the results.
If there is any interest in the way to set up the arbor press to do this; I am going to do another headrest for the wife's Sonic soon, and could take some photos.

Photos, HOW TOs.. yes please. Maybe its time I get a press. I've never regretted any tool I've brought.

 

[J T]

Many of us have been in agreement that the forward-canted headrests in these cars are ludicrous and force many of us (especially us tall folk) into rather uncomfortable positions.

I guess I'm in the minority here. I'm 6'3" and I LOVE the position of the headrest. I have my seat quite upright and lean my head against it almost 100% of the time I'm driving. Feels great.

 

[Papasonic]

Headrest mod how to pictures

Here is how I set up the arbor press to straighten the excessive bend in the headrest support tubing: This is a do at your own risk modification!
To prevent damage to the molded plastic, I placed some 7/16 bolts with nuts attached to support the tubing where it contacted the press plates. I used a 1/2" thick x 10" inch piece of bar stock across the tubes and under the arbor to apply force for the bend. The end of the tubing is supported by a piece of 2' x 4" lumber.

 

[Papasonic]

Now approaching a week since completing this fix, while driving around I feel just like Cartman when he's all alone in his theme park -- "I'M SOOO HAAAPPPPYYYYY!!!!"

Seriously, this mod is life-changing.

I have enjoyed the results of the modified headrest for two weeks now. I no longer have my chin on my chest while sitting with my back firmly against the seatback. When sitting normally with my back against the seat, my head is still supported as it should be. This in my opinion makes a definite improvement in comfort without compromising safety.
Now my wife thinks she needs hers modified too after noticing what I did to mine.

 

[mja]

My press and good tools are across town at my storage. Takes like 30 min to get there. Instead, I did a little hack job on the plastic headrests. So it can be done with a bench vice, pipe, and dremel. Took 45 min total for both. Easy job for one person, bending these suckers takes a little force so go slowly.

I'll bolt the plastic back together and melt down the ABS around the outside with a solder gun to get it back to stock looking shape, for now my neck is readjusting to a normal headrest angle.

:banana:

 

[ChicksHateMe]

I really want to do this. When I was evaluating new cars, this was probably the first thing to turn me off. I remember the ones in the Kia Soul drove me nuts. No comfortable position. With the Sonic, I have the seat wicked low and back, so I am almost laying down. View stinks, but I am comfortable.

I'm watching for other results and methods, then I will probably do it too. Looks much more comfortable...