Removing 2nd Row Headrest
#176
*great* stuff here...very informative... I saw mention only once or twice about putting the second row back down. I test drove recently and experienced all the issues noted in this thread but I found it most annoying and potentially show-stopping regarding how hard it was put put the seat back down. I had to use some serious effort to do this...I can't image my kids being able to do this themselves..and possibly not even my wife... Which leaves me with a bigger problem... the pin/swivel/bump issue on the headrest and now I would have to act like a chauffeur and wait until my kids get into the 2nd and 3rd row so that I can personally put the 2nd row back down. Seriously??
Does anyone else have any feedback regarding this process? Work arounds? Frustrations? thx!
Does anyone else have any feedback regarding this process? Work arounds? Frustrations? thx!
Long and short. I do not have to help them but if you had all younger kids you may. When its just me and the 6 year old, he is alone and just sits in the 2nd row anyway. When we have all been together, it is sometimes easier to leave one of the third row seats down and enter from the trunk - that apparently is very exciting for them. I would just consider how many times you are going to need that third row.
#177
I deleted my power entry. The seats are a freakin pain. With that said my 4 kids ages 6-14 can all get the seat down if the headrests are down far enough or the front seat is forward enough. My 6 year old can not get the headrest in the right position to "launch" the seat down - the others can. The major problem is getting the seat back up which all of them can do but it takes a while. Remember that even with the power entry you do have to put the seat back up....
Long and short. I do not have to help them but if you had all younger kids you may. When its just me and the 6 year old, he is alone and just sits in the 2nd row anyway. When we have all been together, it is sometimes easier to leave one of the third row seats down and enter from the trunk - that apparently is very exciting for them. I would just consider how many times you are going to need that third row.
Long and short. I do not have to help them but if you had all younger kids you may. When its just me and the 6 year old, he is alone and just sits in the 2nd row anyway. When we have all been together, it is sometimes easier to leave one of the third row seats down and enter from the trunk - that apparently is very exciting for them. I would just consider how many times you are going to need that third row.
#178
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2014 GL350
*great* stuff here...very informative... I saw mention only once or twice about putting the second row back down. I test drove recently and experienced all the issues noted in this thread but I found it most annoying and potentially show-stopping regarding how hard it was put put the seat back down. I had to use some serious effort to do this...I can't image my kids being able to do this themselves..and possibly not even my wife... Which leaves me with a bigger problem... the pin/swivel/bump issue on the headrest and now I would have to act like a chauffeur and wait until my kids get into the 2nd and 3rd row so that I can personally put the 2nd row back down. Seriously??
Does anyone else have any feedback regarding this process? Work arounds? Frustrations? thx!
Does anyone else have any feedback regarding this process? Work arounds? Frustrations? thx!
Also, I have tried to see if I could get to the pins, but haven't had any luck. I can see where the headrest cover attaches, but can't get that apart as I'm a bit afraid to use too much force. Mostly this is because it doesn't really bother my kids. If the seat is reclined the way they want it the headrest doesn't really seem to be a problem. Of course, if it would act like the manual one and recess back to the level of the seat that would be even better.
#179
I thought the same thing the first time we looked at the vehicle and went away from the dealer thinking we were going with the Minivan for a few more years. But we went back to the dealer with all the kids (5) and tried it out. After pinching the 8 year old in front of a fast flipping seat, we managed to get everyone in and working. I have a 9 year old girl that sits in the rear right seat and operates the single folder on the second row. She figured it out and gets it with no help all the time now. It has not been an issue. She even does the thing where you hold the button for a few seconds on top while holding on to the back of the seat and once you hear the motor cycle can adjust the seat back so it is not in its most upright position. Its been about three months of daily use with all sits filled, no issues. Surprisingly. Get the Weathertech floor mats for all three rows. They work great for kids in and out.
#180
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2014 GL350BT
Did our first "road trip" from Miami to Orlando last week. My kids are 7 and 10 and were really not too pleased with the headrest positions, up or down! I've never seen a headrest that only had two (2) positions, but then again some cars are permanently fixed, for better or for worse.
I'll have to sit in the back and see what works, but clearly any adult will require the headrest in the full up position. Anything else is just torture to the neck.
I'll have to sit in the back and see what works, but clearly any adult will require the headrest in the full up position. Anything else is just torture to the neck.
#181
Head rests from ML fit perfect and
i bought a 2014 gL 450 last week. When my car seat wouldn't fit I took it back to the dealer. They didn't know of the issue, but discovered MB removed it from the standard P1 package and now have it as a separate option selection. If you select it it's your problem. The dealer agreed it was not safe and decided to resolve the isse. They were in the process of removing the clips so the headrests can be removed. Granted this makes the headrest manual and semi negates the power option, but safety is the priority for my family. When the shop was working on this I was in the showroom with a mid 20's service advisor. He started looking around at hadrests and the said I will be right back. The next thing I knew he pulls both headrests from a ML 350 and they slide into the slots of my 450 with power folding seats. The non power 450,s don't fit, but the ML,s do. They look great, they are OEM and MB should do this for anyone that has this isse. You get to pay $450 for an option that makes your 80,000 car unsafe and then beg to have MB make it right.
#182
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2015 GL550, 2019 GLC350e
i bought a 2014 gL 450 last week. When my car seat wouldn't fit I took it back to the dealer. They didn't know of the issue, but discovered MB removed it from the standard P1 package and now have it as a separate option selection. If you select it it's your problem. The dealer agreed it was not safe and decided to resolve the isse. They were in the process of removing the clips so the headrests can be removed. Granted this makes the headrest manual and semi negates the power option, but safety is the priority for my family. When the shop was working on this I was in the showroom with a mid 20's service advisor. He started looking around at hadrests and the said I will be right back. The next thing I knew he pulls both headrests from a ML 350 and they slide into the slots of my 450 with power folding seats. The non power 450,s don't fit, but the ML,s do. They look great, they are OEM and MB should do this for anyone that has this isse. You get to pay $450 for an option that vmakes your 80,000 car unsafe and then beg to have MB make it right.
#183
Just got a '14 gl450 with the EZ entry middle row and now have issues with the headrests. Anyone have the TSB number or title as my dealer in Raleigh claims this is the first ever instance of this issue and am getting the feeling the stone wall is going up. Also would consider driving the car to a cooperating dealer if folks that have had this issue resolved with theirs. Thanks in advance
#184
OK I have more information. I brought my vehicle in to have roof rack installed and 3rd row pano roof tinted, and I asked the service manager about the TSB. Turns out the TSB suggests the "clip" removal method only. He likes the "pin" removal method better and it's a simpler and more effective procedure. Told me that although the first headrest took him 30 minutes to figure out (I was there to witness) the second one took under 10 minutes in the shop.
So if you are satisfied with the "clip" removal, which allows you to manually take the headrest out but not swivel it back, your dealer should be able to find the TSB to do it. If you prefer the "pin" method that makes it swivel, you'll have to convince them that the spirit of the TSB allows for modifications, and show them printouts from this thread about how to do it.
So if you are satisfied with the "clip" removal, which allows you to manually take the headrest out but not swivel it back, your dealer should be able to find the TSB to do it. If you prefer the "pin" method that makes it swivel, you'll have to convince them that the spirit of the TSB allows for modifications, and show them printouts from this thread about how to do it.
#185
Super Member
Thread Starter
i bought a 2014 gL 450 last week. When my car seat wouldn't fit I took it back to the dealer. They didn't know of the issue, but discovered MB removed it from the standard P1 package and now have it as a separate option selection. If you select it it's your problem. The dealer agreed it was not safe and decided to resolve the isse. They were in the process of removing the clips so the headrests can be removed. Granted this makes the headrest manual and semi negates the power option, but safety is the priority for my family. When the shop was working on this I was in the showroom with a mid 20's service advisor. He started looking around at hadrests and the said I will be right back. The next thing I knew he pulls both headrests from a ML 350 and they slide into the slots of my 450 with power folding seats. The non power 450,s don't fit, but the ML,s do. They look great, they are OEM and MB should do this for anyone that has this isse. You get to pay $450 for an option that makes your 80,000 car unsafe and then beg to have MB make it right.
#186
Remove the head rests and replace with ML of same yr. Dealer can remove rear clamps in 30 minutes. Then you will have units that would and function as they should. Did mine two weeks ago and it's perfect. Nice work MB!
#188
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'14 MB GL550 Diamond White/designo Porcelain/Black Leather w/ Bang & Olufsen BeoSound
Did our first "road trip" from Miami to Orlando last week. My kids are 7 and 10 and were really not too pleased with the headrest positions, up or down! I've never seen a headrest that only had two (2) positions, but then again some cars are permanently fixed, for better or for worse.
I'll have to sit in the back and see what works, but clearly any adult will require the headrest in the full up position. Anything else is just torture to the neck.
I'll have to sit in the back and see what works, but clearly any adult will require the headrest in the full up position. Anything else is just torture to the neck.
#189
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right to be forgotten
Funny you say that, so do I! My wife wasn't comfortable around the small London streets at first, heck forget it when we drive to Italy ....But otherwise I let my 11 year old sit in the front and I'll be happily chauffeured in the back...Or even third row...
#190
An update to a posting I did in June 2013 - my husband and I had cancelled our 2014 GL order because of the 2nd row headrest issue. Our sales rep called yesterday to inform us that Mercedes has fixed the headrest issue and emailed us the attached picture of the GL on the show floor. We have not called back yet to ask if this is with or without the power entry option. He indicated Mercedes was calling 23 clients who had concerned or had previously cancelled their their order due to the issue.
#191
Senior Member
An update to a posting I did in June 2013 - my husband and I had cancelled our 2014 GL order because of the 2nd row headrest issue. Our sales rep called yesterday to inform us that Mercedes has fixed the headrest issue and emailed us the attached picture of the GL on the show floor. We have not called back yet to ask if this is with or without the power entry option. He indicated Mercedes was calling 23 clients who had concerned or had previously cancelled their their order due to the issue.
you can tell it's not power easy entry because it lacks the button on the top of the seat.
#192
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'14 MB GL550 Diamond White/designo Porcelain/Black Leather w/ Bang & Olufsen BeoSound
An update to a posting I did in June 2013 - my husband and I had cancelled our 2014 GL order because of the 2nd row headrest issue. Our sales rep called yesterday to inform us that Mercedes has fixed the headrest issue and emailed us the attached picture of the GL on the show floor. We have not called back yet to ask if this is with or without the power entry option. He indicated Mercedes was calling 23 clients who had concerned or had previously cancelled their their order due to the issue.
#193
MBWorld Fanatic!
To clarify - there are two headrest on the 14 GL - the standard headrest - and the 2nd headrest used for the EZ-Entry feature.
Hahn's - the headrest pictured from your salesman is the "standard" headrest witout EZ Entry - if that seat had added EZ Entry - then there would be a large square button on the top of the seat.
There has been a "minor" change to the headrest for EZ Entry from 13 to 14 - the upside down "L" shaped EZ Entry headrest is a touch slimmer, and has m=a bit more "flex" - however the basic design is the same.
There have not been "24 canceled orders" over the headrest - that part is sales dept nonsense.
The passenger "fitting' is different between standard and EZ Entry - and child seat fitting can be different too.
On EZ Entry - the system has to be able to pull the headrests down - so that as the seat is raised it will clear the front seats - and also clear the rear entertainment system if installed - this means the standard headrest can't be used - and the reason the fixed shape headrest is used in EZ Entry. At the same time, the EZ Entry headrest has to meet Fed crash test standards, and not break, so that I am told is the reason the 2nd row headrest for EZ Entry is substantial/think.
When the EZ Entry feature was introduced in the X166 in 2013 - at that time there was no clear information at launch from MB on the redesigned EZ Entry headrest - so on the 1st new GL's this was a unknown/new issue
Now that we are over 1 1/2 yrs into the X166 - on this $400 option - the problem has been the lack of correct information - or unclear information - from specific salespeople at specific dealers.
Hahn's in this situation your salesperson is at fault for knot knowing, or not being clear with you.
As long as you have clear information - you can make the best choice for your application.
Keep the beat !
Hahn's - the headrest pictured from your salesman is the "standard" headrest witout EZ Entry - if that seat had added EZ Entry - then there would be a large square button on the top of the seat.
There has been a "minor" change to the headrest for EZ Entry from 13 to 14 - the upside down "L" shaped EZ Entry headrest is a touch slimmer, and has m=a bit more "flex" - however the basic design is the same.
There have not been "24 canceled orders" over the headrest - that part is sales dept nonsense.
The passenger "fitting' is different between standard and EZ Entry - and child seat fitting can be different too.
On EZ Entry - the system has to be able to pull the headrests down - so that as the seat is raised it will clear the front seats - and also clear the rear entertainment system if installed - this means the standard headrest can't be used - and the reason the fixed shape headrest is used in EZ Entry. At the same time, the EZ Entry headrest has to meet Fed crash test standards, and not break, so that I am told is the reason the 2nd row headrest for EZ Entry is substantial/think.
When the EZ Entry feature was introduced in the X166 in 2013 - at that time there was no clear information at launch from MB on the redesigned EZ Entry headrest - so on the 1st new GL's this was a unknown/new issue
Now that we are over 1 1/2 yrs into the X166 - on this $400 option - the problem has been the lack of correct information - or unclear information - from specific salespeople at specific dealers.
Hahn's in this situation your salesperson is at fault for knot knowing, or not being clear with you.
As long as you have clear information - you can make the best choice for your application.
Keep the beat !
#194
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'14 MB GL550 Diamond White/designo Porcelain/Black Leather w/ Bang & Olufsen BeoSound
To clarify - there are two headrest on the 14 GL - the standard headrest - and the 2nd headrest used for the EZ-Entry feature.
Hahn's - the headrest pictured from your salesman is the "standard" headrest witout EZ Entry - if that seat had added EZ Entry - then there would be a large square button on the top of the seat.
There has been a "minor" change to the headrest for EZ Entry from 13 to 14 - the upside down "L" shaped EZ Entry headrest is a touch slimmer, and has m=a bit more "flex" - however the basic design is the same.
Hahn's - the headrest pictured from your salesman is the "standard" headrest witout EZ Entry - if that seat had added EZ Entry - then there would be a large square button on the top of the seat.
There has been a "minor" change to the headrest for EZ Entry from 13 to 14 - the upside down "L" shaped EZ Entry headrest is a touch slimmer, and has m=a bit more "flex" - however the basic design is the same.
#195
I had initially gotten the clips removed from the seat, not optimal but given the age of kids better then nothing. After the other member posted in detail how to remove the pins inside the headrest I send that post to my service manager at the MB dealership and left the headrests with them. Finally the figured it out and today I got them back, and voila all of my issues have resolved!!!! I have also gotten them to put the clips back on so I can use it with the EZ entry system.
Attached you will find 2 pics, one shows the position of the headrest how it is normally, the 2nd pic shows how it sits flush with the backrest like it does with the manual 2nd row entry. Finally my $85.000 car can be used like it was intended. Minor inconvenience is that when pressing the entry system button I just have to swivel it back to the original position (once pulled forward it stays there and doesn't swivel back) so it can retract, I can live with that.
Anyone with that same issue, stay persistent and show the relevant posts to your MB service manager, it can be done if they are willing to put some effort into it. My service manager is awesome, they didn't charge me a thing for all my requests.
Attached you will find 2 pics, one shows the position of the headrest how it is normally, the 2nd pic shows how it sits flush with the backrest like it does with the manual 2nd row entry. Finally my $85.000 car can be used like it was intended. Minor inconvenience is that when pressing the entry system button I just have to swivel it back to the original position (once pulled forward it stays there and doesn't swivel back) so it can retract, I can live with that.
Anyone with that same issue, stay persistent and show the relevant posts to your MB service manager, it can be done if they are willing to put some effort into it. My service manager is awesome, they didn't charge me a thing for all my requests.
#196
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'14 MB GL550 Diamond White/designo Porcelain/Black Leather w/ Bang & Olufsen BeoSound
I had initially gotten the clips removed from the seat, not optimal but given the age of kids better then nothing. After the other member posted in detail how to remove the pins inside the headrest I send that post to my service manager at the MB dealership and left the headrests with them. Finally the figured it out and today I got them back, and voila all of my issues have resolved!!!! I have also gotten them to put the clips back on so I can use it with the EZ entry system.
Attached you will find 2 pics, one shows the position of the headrest how it is normally, the 2nd pic shows how it sits flush with the backrest like it does with the manual 2nd row entry. Finally my $85.000 car can be used like it was intended. Minor inconvenience is that when pressing the entry system button I just have to swivel it back to the original position (once pulled forward it stays there and doesn't swivel back) so it can retract, I can live with that.
Anyone with that same issue, stay persistent and show the relevant posts to your MB service manager, it can be done if they are willing to put some effort into it. My service manager is awesome, they didn't charge me a thing for all my requests.
Attached you will find 2 pics, one shows the position of the headrest how it is normally, the 2nd pic shows how it sits flush with the backrest like it does with the manual 2nd row entry. Finally my $85.000 car can be used like it was intended. Minor inconvenience is that when pressing the entry system button I just have to swivel it back to the original position (once pulled forward it stays there and doesn't swivel back) so it can retract, I can live with that.
Anyone with that same issue, stay persistent and show the relevant posts to your MB service manager, it can be done if they are willing to put some effort into it. My service manager is awesome, they didn't charge me a thing for all my requests.
#198
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07 MB GL450, 13 P Panamera 4
#199
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2014 GL450, 2013 Audi S8, 2011 Ferrari California, 2005 Cayenne TT, 2003 SL55, 1981 911 Targa
THANKS!
We just took delivery of our 2014 GL450 w/"easy" second row exit last week (our 3rd GL) and I was dismayed at how awful the 2nd row headrests are. My kids in boosters would probably wind up with broken necks if we actually got into an accident because the headrests stick out and just hit the tops of their heads without supporting their lower/head neck region.
I found this forum and by following the directions in post 152 (and a little self discovery while operating on them) removed the pins in both 2nd row seats and now the headrests lie flat with the seat. I told my wife that she just needs to tilt the headrests forward before pushing the easy exit button.
So thank you gents (and ladies perhaps) the info here was very helpful.
I found this forum and by following the directions in post 152 (and a little self discovery while operating on them) removed the pins in both 2nd row seats and now the headrests lie flat with the seat. I told my wife that she just needs to tilt the headrests forward before pushing the easy exit button.
So thank you gents (and ladies perhaps) the info here was very helpful.
#200
Member
We just took delivery of our 2014 GL450 w/"easy" second row exit last week (our 3rd GL) and I was dismayed at how awful the 2nd row headrests are. My kids in boosters would probably wind up with broken necks if we actually got into an accident because the headrests stick out and just hit the tops of their heads without supporting their lower/head neck region.
I found this forum and by following the directions in post 152 (and a little self discovery while operating on them) removed the pins in both 2nd row seats and now the headrests lie flat with the seat. I told my wife that she just needs to tilt the headrests forward before pushing the easy exit button.
So thank you gents (and ladies perhaps) the info here was very helpful.
I found this forum and by following the directions in post 152 (and a little self discovery while operating on them) removed the pins in both 2nd row seats and now the headrests lie flat with the seat. I told my wife that she just needs to tilt the headrests forward before pushing the easy exit button.
So thank you gents (and ladies perhaps) the info here was very helpful.