I found a posting in the archives saying to feel for two plastic tabs that releases the restraint just under the metal frame of the seat back, but darn-it, I can't find them! I see a round white plastic sleeve thingy wrapped around the metal core of the rest just under the rests inside the cushion. Is this it, and if so, what do I push? My cuticles can't take much more of this!

FYI, I'm trying to remove my seat covers. My car is an '84 244.

Thanks. Happy Holidays.

(What a way to spend Christmas Eve.)

Mike F

Cut hog rings on bottom and start working cover up by gently turning it inside out. Clip two more hog rings that hold the pleat in seat at about shoulder blade height. A little more rolling cover up and you'll be looking at headrest release. Sometimes they can be a bi$$ch even when your looking at them. Had one with broken tabs that I finally had to hit metal rods with a hammer and drive it and the white plastic out of the seat frame. I do all of the above with the seat removed from car and the seat back removed from the bottom cushion. Another piece that can be more difficult is the cone shaped retainer that holds recliner knob on. I hit this with a center punch in a couple of spots which deforms it bad enough that it comes off. I then straihten it out to re-install.

I finally found three of the plastic clips. Apparently the fourth one was broken off. I found this out by accidently ripping a small hole in the back seat cover by where the clip should have been. I used the small screwdriver in my pocketknife to push out the retaining plastic from the metal rod to get the head rest out. I'm glad my seat covers will cover over this hole once I clean them, but I hate damaging my car anymore than it already is.
--
Mike F - 1984 244 DL - 202K miles "Bob the Butterscotch Beast"

The tabs you need to push on can't be seen with the seat covers on, they're IN the seat back, in line with the HD rest supports about a couple inches below the top of the seat back. Find them, push them and the rests should lift out. Hope this helps.

Vroom, are the front headrests held in the same as the rears?? If that's the case, Mike F can look in the trunk and see what he is supposed to be feeling for.

Thanks. I'll try again.

Happy Holidays.

mike,i found the way to do it is use a sharpened thin object like a piece of coathanger,be creative the little tabs are on the far side of the headrestslider bar or whatever you call them, poke the sharp strong tool thru the back of the seat to release the tab as you pull up at the same time,as one pulls free do the other one...some head rests are not held by the tab ,they just pull up ,not easily however ! kris

Pierce my seats?! Ouch! Although at this point I'm getting deperate (but not serious). Too bad there isn't a way to reach up there inside the seat back with your hand and feel for the tabs directly. My problem is I'm having trouble locating the tabs themselves! I'm trying to restore my car's interior, and those seatcovers need a good cleaning.

Thanks for the help. Happy Holidays!

Mike F