Removing 2nd Row Headrest
 

First of all, finally got our GL350. Must say everything we expected. Head and shoulders above our old ML, especially suspension and and ride comfort. The diesel engine also seems much quieter, though maybe just because it's brand new.

Anyhow, has anyone tried removing the rear head rests? In mounting a larger convertible child seat in the 2nd row, the head rest seems to really get in the way when securing the child seat, when down or fully extended. So I am thinking of removing the headrest all together, as I haven't read anything inherently wrong with that when using a child seat?

So the printed manual doesn't cover removing the rear headrests, but the online PDF and the version in Command does. The instruction simply tell you to end the headrest, then hold the release and pull it out. Problem is that doesn't seem to work? I have fully extended and then held the release and tried to remove with considerable force but no-go. Don't want to force it and break something. Is there a trick to this?

Appreciate any advice...

try wiggling it left and right slowly while its pulled up

Thanks I tried this morning but didn't work. The side without the latch seems to want to come out, but the side with the latch seemed locked in somehow...

It's stone cold easy - once you know...
 

Removing the 2nd row headrests is a two step process - they still come straight up-and-out, but just in a modified 2-step process.

1)Pull the headrest all the way up to "stop" - do not press down the latch/release

2) Once the headrest is at the stop - then push down the latch/release - and pull the headrest up and off.

Once you do it once, all will be clear

A good reason to download and save the pdf of the Owners Manual for free from mbusa.com Owners Support section Germans spell headrest as two words: head rest

Manual pg 108 attached.

I had my seats tipped forward with headrest extended and actually had mine fall out when i tried to collapse.

this sounds consistent with the two step process mentioned above, but with the help of gravity

Yep - that worked for me. I first pulled them fully out when installing the kids seats, but was able to fit the seats with them extended but in place at the end of the day with the locking strap over the back of seat like the manual suggested. Saves having to store another thing in the garage :)

Hmmm weird, let me try again tonight. I was following the instructions by pulling it all the way up without holding the catch, until it clicked. Then pushed the button in and tried to remove it but the headrest is still stuck on the side with the catch. Maybe it's my seat is reclined to far back? Will try tonight at different angles of folded even...

Thanks for all the help guys.

OK i am giving up after removing 2 car seats for about the 4th time to try.

I am thinking perhaps the manuals have not been updated yet to include instructions for the power easy entry option which my vehicle has. Could account for why the removal instructions are not included in my printed manual but on the more generic electronic versions? Using the power release it seems to make 2 difference noises, once to release the headrest then to lock it again (at the down position). I have tried to extend the headrest, then hold the release, extend, and hit the power button, but no dice.

I guess I'll just try have this addressed at the 10k service...

I'll check with my techs Saturday and let you know - had one with EZ-Entry with similar issue - good customer of mine with a $110K Designo GL - beautiful truck - thru the shop this afternoon - but I was tied up on other stuff and couldn't break free to a recap with them.

Frabbrisd, thanks as always for your help!

Sorry, didn't get to it today, got tied up again on good things new things..delivering a SLK55 and SL63 same day...both black ... to be considerate but needed to get the SLK55 delivered right (very nice car) and out the door before bringing the SL63 from the back (freeking super-cruise missle) so the SLK55 guy wouldn't be offended/deflated..also spent a little time with tech's working thru "hidden" install of the Autonet 3G Hot Spot in a GL550 and still allow max reception, all to social network 2 iPads for the kids...the "standard" Autonet install would look a bit weird in that beautiful Designo GL...

On the headrest thing with EZ-Entry will try to confirm/reply Mon night..

I am sure your job is tough, but why does it sound so much awesomer than mine? haha Sounds like an awesome day with those AMGs.

Thanks again and don't worry, I appreciate you checking whenever you get around to it. Otherwise I will ask when my other car is in for service in another 2k miles, though the people I deal with aren't typically as passionate as you about getting answers for customers...

Sorry about the delay - and if the 2nd row seat is EZ-Entry then the 2nd row headrest (at least on each end of the row) are NOT user removable - since they are integrated into the EZ-Entry mechanical system inside the seat back.

However, if your 2nd row does NOT have the EZ-Entry feature, then the outboard headrests are removable per the instructions in the manual.

That's what's happening... keep the beat !

Thanks for doing all the research on this I really appreciate it. A bit annoying as really isn't ideal for seat placement and visibility but what can you do. Won't be an issue in 5 years (I hope).

Appreciated the question - man, glad I know that is the wya it is now-at-least for EZ-Entry.. haven't had more time to play with it yet... will have more time on Fri when I check HotSpot installation on a GL550 with EZ entry..

power easy entry headrest removal?
 

Just picked up 2013 GL450 less than a week ago. Ordered the power easy entry seats (of course they weren't available on a vehicle to see when I ordered the truck). Verified that I could remove the 2nd row headrests before ordering on a manual folding seat. Both the dealer and I assumed it would be the same on the power version. Now after picking up the truck, I can't get them out.

I hope MB is actually reading this. These 2nd row seats and headrests are DANGEROUS for small children. My 12 year old can't even sit in the second row. With the headrest down, his neck is forced downward into the shoulder belt (both uncomfortable and just a real injury waiting to happen in an accident). With the headrest up, the headrest actually sits on top of his head -- not behind it where it would actually be beneficial, but ON TOP, forcing him to "scrunch down" so he is not annoyed. And then the seatbelt, which is not height adjustable, hits him across his neck again. WHAT A TERRIBLE DESIGN. Without the headrests, the seats are ok (but would be better with height adjustable belts).

Has anybody been able to remove the headrests? My dealer can't seem to figure it out either at this point...

Thanks for any help.

With the headrest fully in its up position it should be out of the way. The bottom of the headrest is actually just above the top of the seat. It actually folds in so the bottom of the headrest is touching the two metal support poles. This is the only way it should be used. Isn't yours like this?

With the headrest fully extended, it still is not flush with the seat back -- it extends about 2 1/2 inches over. It does not touch the support poles, there's about an inch gap between the headrest and the poles.

Think of it as shaped like a number 7 rather than a slash / .... Net is that the bottom of the headrest in the extended position sits on top of my kid's head.

So, here are a couple of photos. As you can see, the bottoms are above the seat and as far as I can tell, this is really the only way they should work.

I see that your headrests do sit back from the seat. I also notice that you don't appear to have the power easy entry seat since I don't see the button. Perhaps that's the difference.

Seems like they should go to that point regardless...
 

If they don't go that high then something is wrong with the power easy system. Since I don't have it, I cannot investigate. There must be a setting or an adjustment. If mine did not go this high, nobody would ever want to sit there.
:)

i got the powerentry and was able to raise them pretty high

I just got a call from MB Customer Service, they tell me the headrests with the power option are not removable. My truck is with the dealer now, hopefully they can get some resolution.

Here's a pic from an Autoweek review that shows the headrests in the up position. Note they don't fall back to the posts, and they don't raise all the way off the seat either.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/9...mercedesgl.jpg

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

That makes some sense. I have the manual 2nd row seats. To lower the headrests I find myself pulling out the headrest while at the same time pushing the release button. Maybe since the headrest is pulled in automatically they had to put a stopper to keep the bottom from catching?

It looks like a tall person in the back seat might find that bump to be just at teh right annoying spot.

Can these headrests really be that different?
 

However, if you compare that to the pictures I posted earlier in this thread, it does look high enough for the bottom to swivel in and have it angled so it touches the posts. There is clearly a gap there. Mine are spring loaded so as soon as they clear the top of the seat they pull back against the posts. When I saw them, I thought, "what a fine idea." I would find it hard to believe that those are not spring loaded.