Seat Re-upholstery Questions

[Twistiva]

Guys -

2 questions on prepping the seats for re-upholstery:

1 - How do you get the plastic handle off the end of the metal seatback angle adjustment lever? Brute force? Are the handles re-useable?

2 - How do you get the plastic headrest post receptacles (the plastic, hollow cylinders that the headrest metal posts fit into) out of the seatback? Don't you need to remove them in order to the upholstery material off/on?

Ford's Shop Manual does not address either question in the "Seat" or "Interior Trim" sections. Also looked for previous threads on the issue and didn't find any.

Any help?

[zoe60]

You can stretch the holes in the seat cover around the plastic headrest things. That's how I got mine off and on. I don't know about the plastic handle. I got one from a junkyard but I kind of broke it. It stays on ok I guess.

[navdoc101]

Just pull the handle straight off, don't twist or pull at an angle.

[Dragonhealer]

Just pull the handle straight off, don't twist or pull at an angle.

You Sir, are way stronger than a gorilla!
Some success with submersion in a cup of boiling water for 1 1/2 minuets, a quick shot of oil up the middle with a syringe, and pull straight off with a SLIGHT up and down wiggle.
Still refining technique.

[Dragonhealer]

Oh, forgot to mention the heavy leather glove...

[avitsefdrof]

I just poked a screwdriver in the end and gave it a whack....worked for me.

[bravekozak]

You can stretch the holes in the seat cover around the plastic headrest things. That's how I got mine off and on. I don't know about the plastic handle. I got one from a junkyard but I kind of broke it. It stays on ok I guess.

Improper removal method. They are supposed to be removed without stretching the fabric, from inside the seat, behind the foam, just before pulling the seat cover completely off. I have a couple of bayonet headrest receptacles for sale. $10 shipped to lower 48.

[Twistiva]

Just pull the handle straight off, don't twist or pull at an angle.

You Sir, are way stronger than a gorilla!
Some success with submersion in a cup of boiling water for 1 1/2 minuets, a quick shot of oil up the middle with a syringe, and pull straight off with a SLIGHT up and down wiggle.
Still refining technique.

I just poked a screwdriver in the end and gave it a whack....worked for me.

So once you guys put the handle back on, how snugly did it fit after re-installing it?

[avitsefdrof]

Its like an interference fit...plastic vs. metal. mine was good, had it on and off three times....still functions and stays on.

[avitsefdrof]

Improper removal method. They are supposed to be removed without stretching the fabric, from inside the seat, behind the foam, just before pulling the seat cover completely off. I have a couple of bayonet headrest receptacles for sale. $10 shipped to lower 48.

I think whatever works is acceptable.

[Dragonhealer]

So once you guys put the handle back on, how snugly did it fit after re-installing it?

If I got it off without striping the plastic out, they go back on tightly, if I failed, I put them back on and inject with hot glue.
I'm finding there is some learning curve for me

[Twistiva]

You Sir, are way stronger than a gorilla!
Some success with submersion in a cup of boiling water for 1 1/2 minuets, a quick shot of oil up the middle with a syringe, and pull straight off with a SLIGHT up and down wiggle.
Still refining technique.

Oh, forgot to mention the heavy leather glove...

If I got it off without striping the plastic out, they go back on tightly, if I failed, I put them back on and inject with hot glue.
I'm finding there is some learning curve for me

Ha! Ha! Sounds like your "technique" is pretty well honed to me! :-) I don't know how you immerse it in boiling water and don't melt it and I hope after you glue it back on you never need to take it back off!

Thx for everyone's replies. If anyone has anything else to say, chime in!

[Twistiva]

........ I have a couple of bayonet headrest receptacles for sale. $10 shipped to lower 48.

Brave, pix please? You're talking about the plastic receptacles that house the metal headrest posts, right? If so, one of them on my new LX seats sits about 1/4" higher than it should/slightly above the upholstery material and I may need another one if I can't fix it.

[navdoc101]

So once you guys put the handle back on, how snugly did it fit after re-installing it?

Fit fine ,no problems.
Depends on how much you twisted it on removal.