Front passenger headrest not working
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Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
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C230
Front passenger headrest not working
1998 C230
My passenger front headrest won't extend, but when I use the "up and down" button you can hear a ratcheting sound "click, click, click" but no movement. I removed the rear seat panel to expose the mechanism, and manually tried to raise it. I can see a small gear that would appear to engage to headrest rod(s), and the rods don't seem to be in a position to engage with the gear. I don't have a real problem leaving it in the fully down position, but there is a friggin vibration sound that drives me crazy, and when I hold the head rest firm with my hand the vibration sounds goes away.
I hate noises like that.
I am not sure how to remove the head rest.
Any one with experience on doing this, I would appreciate knowing before I break something.
My passenger front headrest won't extend, but when I use the "up and down" button you can hear a ratcheting sound "click, click, click" but no movement. I removed the rear seat panel to expose the mechanism, and manually tried to raise it. I can see a small gear that would appear to engage to headrest rod(s), and the rods don't seem to be in a position to engage with the gear. I don't have a real problem leaving it in the fully down position, but there is a friggin vibration sound that drives me crazy, and when I hold the head rest firm with my hand the vibration sounds goes away.
I hate noises like that.
I am not sure how to remove the head rest.
Any one with experience on doing this, I would appreciate knowing before I break something.
Last edited by ptcruiser; Oct 19, 2015 at 01:15 PM. Reason: added model and year
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 453
Likes: 12
C230
I can lift it manually, but when I release it, it just drops down to the bottom position.
I am assuming that the rod isn't meshing with the small gear wheel the should be moving it up and down. I did some internet browsing, and one comment is the the drive motor will sometimes "lean" a little, and by using a quick zip strap, you can tighten it up to realign the motor, and then it works.
I am assuming that the rod isn't meshing with the small gear wheel the should be moving it up and down. I did some internet browsing, and one comment is the the drive motor will sometimes "lean" a little, and by using a quick zip strap, you can tighten it up to realign the motor, and then it works.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 453
Likes: 12
C230
Actually, I do want to fix it, as it is the only thing in the car that doesn't work properly.
For aesthetic reasons, it looks better at the bottom level, but for personal reasons I would like it to function properly. I made an error by saying it can be extended up, and then drops back. Actually, it extends up about 2 inches, and won't go up further manually.
Logic will prevail, and I will figure it out (I hope)
For aesthetic reasons, it looks better at the bottom level, but for personal reasons I would like it to function properly. I made an error by saying it can be extended up, and then drops back. Actually, it extends up about 2 inches, and won't go up further manually.
Logic will prevail, and I will figure it out (I hope)
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 453
Likes: 12
C230
There was a group of photos on the web site showing how to remove it. I found the problem. The plastic slider that moves the head rest up and down had a small vertical crack, and when the drive gear passed the crack, it spread the slider just enough to allow the gear to pass below the gear teeth notches in the slider, so it wouldn't grab the teeth to move it up or down. I repaired it, and it works just fine now. No more annoying vibration sounds anymore.
Thanks for your comments and help.
Thanks for your comments and help.
