• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Forum
  • Design Studio
  • Upholstery Jobs
  • Newsletter
  • Sponsors

The Hog Ring

Auto Upholstery Community

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Why are Headrests Difficult to Remove?

June 27, 2019 By Nadeem Muaddi 4 Comments

The Hog Ring - Why are Headrests Difficult to Remove

Ever wonder why some headrests are difficult to remove? How about why every model requires a different trick or tool to do it?

Turns out there’s a reason for all the madness.

According to Snopes, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires that headrests on front and optional rear seats be difficult to remove.

In fact, the NHTSA initially didn’t want headrests to be removable at all, arguing that they’re an important and necessary safety feature. However, automakers protested.

Among their concerns, automakers said stationary headrests would make it difficult to install bulky seats in small cars. They also said it would limit seat design, block rearward visibility and prevent back seats from folding properly.

After considering automakers’ concerns, the NHTSA reached a compromise:

• Headrests on standard rear seats could easily be removed to improve rearward visibility or allow for seats to fold.

• However, headrests on front seats and optional rear seats should require an additional action, distinct from the adjustment mechanism, to detach. Recognizing that not all seats are alike, the NHTSA allowed automakers to decide for themselves whether this additional action would require a separate mechanism or tool.

And that, folks, is why some headrests detach at the press of a button, while others require trimmers to pull out clips, prick pinhole triggers or detach plugs.

It’s aggravating, but rest assure it’s done in the name of safety.

Filed Under: Archive, Safety Issues, THR Favorites Tagged With: Auto Trim, Auto Upholstery, Car Interior, Headrest, NHTSA

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Jorgensen says

    July 22, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    I think before Nhsta ruled, the lawyers pushed vis lawsuits, GM was the first to really make things difficult. The 90’s Pontiac Sunfire required one to invert the backrest “sock” type cover and slice the foam that encapsulated the frame to release the headrest sockets. Before that there were the “slim Jim” slide tools that disengaged the limit spring, some much more effort than others.

    Some current production cars with mechanical active headrests are again a diabolical challenge, there is an increasing level of engineering with no regard to serviceability.

    Reply
  2. Edward Munday says

    July 26, 2017 at 6:24 pm

    $

    Reply
    • Edward Munday says

      May 31, 2018 at 1:38 pm

      Retired – And you wonder why no one wants to enter the Craft of Autotrimmer and Upholster.

      Reply
  3. Kevin Balser says

    April 27, 2021 at 4:10 pm

    I thank my lucky stars that we all have a “Big Brother” looking over everybodys shoulder, keeping us safe from our own hare-brained selves; levying litagation and legal dicipline to the remaining free thinkers in this, and similar, trades.
    Sign me “Facitious old Fart

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Edward Munday Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

THR Sponsors

Haartz Right Rail Ad - 12
NC Sewing Machines
Miami Corporation
Top Down Group
Apex Leather
  • Albright's Supply
  • GAHH Automotive
  • Douglass Interior Products
  • Keyston Bros
  • Hyde Leather

THR Favorites

The Hog Ring - Real Men Sew

It’s True, Real Men Sew!

Real men sew. We've always known that. But it … [more] about It’s True, Real Men Sew!

The Hog Ring - Learn Auto Upholstery With This New Book

Learn Auto Upholstery with this New Book

Whether you're a rookie or seasoned auto … [more] about Learn Auto Upholstery with this New Book

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Design Studio - Chevrolet Chevelle

Design Studio: 1968-72 Chevelle Door Panel

We’re continuing our popular door panel … [more] about Design Studio: 1968-72 Chevelle Door Panel

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Fisher Auto Trim, Glass and Upholstery

Instead of Art, Let’s Make Some Money!

My name is Marc Fisher, owner of Auto Trim by … [more] about Instead of Art, Let’s Make Some Money!

The Hog Ring - Convertible Top Restoration and Installation

Learn to Install Convertible Tops with this New Book

Installing convertible soft tops is one of … [more] about Learn to Install Convertible Tops with this New Book

Auto Upholstery - The Hog Ring - Cutters Custom Stitchin Inc

Shop Profile: Cutter’s Custom Stitchin’

There’s a three-man auto upholstery shop in … [more] about Shop Profile: Cutter’s Custom Stitchin’

Categories

Footer

Recent Articles

  • Apex Ultra Square Weave Carpet is Here!
  • Trimmer Albert James Breda Sr Dies at 84
  • It’s Almost Collector Car Appreciation Day
  • Nominate a Pro for SEMA Person of the Year
  • Sewn Tight Custom Interiors’ Secret to an Organized Shop

Recent Comments

  • Kaliesha on Keyston Bros is Giving Away a Consew Sewing Machine
  • Salvador hueramo on Keyston Bros is Giving Away a Consew Sewing Machine
  • Michelle Rack on Keyston Bros is Giving Away a Consew Sewing Machine
  • Izet on Keyston Bros is Giving Away a Consew Sewing Machine
  • Blois jeremy on Keyston Bros is Giving Away a Consew Sewing Machine

Advertise With Us!

We're always looking for companies to collaborate with. Watch this short video about the benefits of sponsorship and then email us to say hi.
anal porno bangbros rus porno yaşlı porno konulu porno olgun porno porno izle sarışın porno bakire sex 69 porno

Copyright © 2022 · Magazine Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in