[Methane Herder]

The Recaro headrest was literally giving me a pain in the neck (well it wasn't helping the pinched nerve there). So after looking at the tubular headrest posts I thought "these look like they would fit in my 5/8" tubing bender". They did! I gently counter bent each side at three places along the length of the post (each about 2-1/2" apart). The bender left a couple of very,very shallow dents in the rear facing side of the tubes (inside of the counter bends). I managed to take out about 1" to 1-1/2" of arc (measured from the top of the headrest). Not a huge amount but it is noticeable.
MH

 

[raamaudio]

Cool!
My bender only has 1.75" dies so cannot use it but was going to look into cutting and welding under the cover, etc......or possibly bending there.

 

[Methane Herder]

Cool!
My bender only has 1.75" dies so cannot use it but was going to look into cutting and welding under the cover, etc......or possibly bending there.

The bender I used was a Yellow. Jacket tube & conduit bender. They run about 70$.
MH

 

[EcoBeast]

MH
I have been meaning to do this for a while. Any chance you can show a pic of the setup of the post in the tube bender?

 

[raamaudio]

I am going to see if I can rent a bender, I have a butt load of tools, $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$and have to store the majority for a few years, do not really need to add to the pile.

Thanks
Rick

 

[Methane Herder]

MH
I have been meaning to do this for a while. Any chance you can show a pic of the setup of the post in the tube bender?

It's a three handed operation, hence no pictures. First see the link to the tool:
http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/y.../full-range-heavy-duty-tube-benders/60378.htm

One arm of the bender I braced against my foot with the grip end on the floor. One hand operated the other arm that has the bending shoe. My other hand held the upholstered end of the headrest so that the shoe would counter bend (un-bend) one of the posts over the die (round pulley looking object).

I un-bent both sides in three spots along the lengths of the posts. Don't go all gorilla on it, you just want to tweek it a little as you work your way down the post. It's really not hard, just don't try to do it all in one pass and check as you go to make sure you are bending both posts evenly.

PS. My bender is for 5/8" tubing, 1/2" would probably work (just an eyeball estimate).
MH

 

[EcoBeast]

Thanks MH. I will give it a try. I have access to a tube bender at work.

 

[jfranci3]

I sit upright-ish in cars. Basically, all post-2009 cars have this same problem. I rent a ton of cars a year. The process is the same and I've only had one failure in a Chevy Aveo.

1) Put headrest all the way down.
2) Sit in seat. Plant your feet on the firewall between pedals.
3) Rise out of the seat. Put the back-side shoulders on the highest point of the headrest and push.
4) Bend the headrest back in small increments. Test and repeat until it's right for you.

 

[Methane Herder]

My car (technically the banks car) is not a rental.
MH

 

[jfranci3]

They make them all out of the metal. They all bend the same.

My method is probably better because you're assured you'll put the bend in the right direction and not throw off the tongs

 

[Methane Herder]

They make them all out of the metal. They all bend the same.

My method is probably better because you're assured you'll put the bend in the right direction and not throw off the tongs

They make them all out of the metal. They all bend the same.

My method is probably better because you're assured you'll put the bend in the right direction and not throw off the tongs

Sorry,I came off a bit of an ass. I am just a little to picky on my solutions, especially to problems that should not be in the first place.
MH

 

[EcoBeast]

Here is a quick way of adjusting the angle of the headrest in a very controlled manner. Both headrest posts are adjusted at the same time so there is no risk distorting the alignment. Once I got the supplies ready, the whole job from start to finish took about 10 minutes.

You will need:

1. Two small pieces of plywood,
2. One piece of 2x6 lumber about 3 feet long for leverage,
3. Two C-clamps that have a "sliding pin" style handle to turn the screw - see picture #2.

Instructions:

1. Remove the headrest by pushing in the hidden button (there is a useful thread on that feature)
2. Place the headrest posts between two small sheets of plywood and clamp to a table as shown in first picture. The bottom of headrest cushion needs to be with 1/4 inch of the table edge, as shown.
3. Measure the top of the headrest against a fixed reference (I used the floor) so you can determine your starting point prior to any bending.
4. Cover the headrest with a clean cloth to protect it
5. Insert the 2x6 lumber as shown in the second picture. As you can see, the pins hold the lumber and provides an excellent fulcrum to evenly push down on the headrest
6. Gently push down until headrest starts to bend down a little. GO SLOW. IF YOU HEAVE IT YOU COULD BUCKLE THE POSTS VERY EASILY
7. Measure again from same place on the headrest to your reference point to see your progress
8. I bent mine so that the headrest moved 1 inch. This was suitable for my needs but I have a big head so your needs may vary!

Image 1: Set up of headrest posts sandwiched between two plywood pieces and held down by c-clamps:

Image 2: Piece of 2x6 lumber over headrest and pinned under c-clams pins. Measure top of headrest against floor to track the amount of bending

 

[sourskittle]

Ecobeast, that's good stuff man, lol


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[EcoBeast]

Ecobeast, that's good stuff man, lol


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My inspiration was Archimedes: Give me big enough lever and I can lift the world....or at least bend that awful headrest angle.

I could not imagine a girl with a pony tail hairdo driving our car. This opens up a whole new market segment. You are welcome Ford.

 

[sourskittle]

My inspiration was Archimedes: Give me big enough lever and I can lift the world....or at least bend that awful headrest angle.

I could not imagine a girl with a pony tail hairdo driving our car. This opens up a whole new market segment. You are welcome Ford.

I'm bald and wear a lot of hats. Backwards hats? Not happening.

Now... If we could just invent a way to make kids keep their pants on there waist, we'd be set !!


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[raamaudio]

Thanks, I used my bench press in a similar manner and took car of the headrests today, zero cost is the best!