The darn head-rests

[NorthernIon]

I bought my 03 Saturn Ion 2 years ago and I am finally fed up with the head rests. They are the most uncomfortable headrests in the world. In fact, I find the entire bucket seats horrible. But the seats aside:

1. Does anyone know how to pop these headrests out?
2. Will any of the other Saturn vehicle headrests fit the 03 Ion 2?

Jeff

[SaturnManiac]

I don't think headrests from any other Saturn would work. I'd check eBay or something like that for replacement headrests, I'm sure they are out there somewhere.

[cdp326]

Try some Chevy Cobalt (and Pontiac Pursuit/G5) headrests. They are a solid type, not with holes like the ION. AFAIK, the headrests weren't changed when they put out the new seats for the 2005 model year, and those '05+ seats were the same as in the Cobalt and Pursuit/G5, so they likely will fit. (The seats themselves should fit as well.)

[davidsky]

How can headrests be uncomfortable?

[VTHokie00SL2]

I would never buy a car with those awful donut style head restraints.

[Pete93SL1M]

If you are actually resting your head on the head restraints while driving you are not sitting correctly. Those are to keep your head on your shoulders should you get rear-ended, not for use as a pillow.

[VTHokie00SL2]

Originally Posted by Pete93SL1M

If you are actually resting your head on the head restraints while driving you are not sitting correctly. Those are to keep your head on your shoulders should you get rear-ended, not for use as a pillow.

Still, it seems that in an accident your head would go through the head restraint somewhat, with the loads being concentrated around the perimeter of that stupid donut head restraint.

[Gawd]

I got these Recaro headrest pillows that you just put overtop the headrests... and they are comfortable!!!



$25 CAD.

[davidsky]

Originally Posted by VTHokie00SL2

I would never buy a car with those awful donut style head restraints.

Why not and what kind do you prefer?

[lgodave]

I have the seat/head rest covers on my 03 ION-3.

So I don't notice the "hole" that seems to bug some. Are there drivers that can fit their head in it? If so I'd say you have problems....

The Head Rest should be adjusted as recommended in the manual so that you aren't seriously injured in a crash. I know in my 87 Cutlass Supreme I left the rests in the "down" position when they probably should have been raised to about half or full position. Thankfully I didn't have to test them to see if I would break my neck in an accident.

[jef]

Originally Posted by VTHokie00SL2

Still, it seems that in an accident your head would go through the head restraint somewhat, with the loads being concentrated around the perimeter of that stupid donut head restraint.

Unless you have a tiny head and it goes all the way through, the load distribution around the perimeter is probably better for you - more surface area - than with a single point of a solid headreast.

[CarNut]

As to your first question, there is a tiny hole in the side of one of the plastic "stake pockets" the headrest posts slip into. You need to insert a pin (large paper clip or small nail) into the hole to release them.

The Recaro headrest from the Redlines will fit perfectly. They are filled solid. That worked to my advantage when I bought the Redline. My wife hates headrests with a hole in the center. So the Redline option was a must.
The seats were improved for 05 but I think it was all in the lower cushion. In theory you could just swap out the lower cushion. But I think there were changes upolstery fabric as well as style. You probably won't be able to match the door panels or rear seats with any option. And FYI, complete Redline seats are frequently available on ebay for around $600 delivered.
One thing you might try is lifting the front edge of the lower cushion for more thigh support. The lower cushion sits in a metal pan that bolts to the seat frame. With longer bolts and spacers, you can easily raise it.

[saturn_69]

Originally Posted by VTHokie00SL2

Still, it seems that in an accident your head would go through the head restraint somewhat, with the loads being concentrated around the perimeter of that stupid donut head restraint.

Yes, that stupid head restraint that Recaro used in the 80's and 90's, which is very similar to the one used by Audi until recently. It's a head restraint. Who cares what it looks like? I admit, they could look better, but they didn't sway my decision to buy the car.