Stupid question but I'm afraid of damaging the seats. The headrests dont want to go down. I dont want to force them and break them. Is there a button to depress? There appears to be a notch on one of the plastic rings aroubd the rod but I dont see anything to move or press. Also, if i wanted to pull them all the way out to derust and refinish the rods, how would i do that? Thanks for any help.

 

They are removable. I thought there was a release at the base of one of the rest 'stems' holes on the seat itself, you could press to slide the rest out?
Going from memory, as my SA seats are one-unit design...

Stu A
80GS
AZ

 

Inside the slot at the base of where the headrest mounts there is a little clip. One side is rounded around the headrest and on the other side there are the two ends of the clip. One is bent, when the bent end is pushed with a flat blade screwdriver the headrest should be able to be removed/adjusted.

 

I don't know if your seats are the same as a GSL-SE (and you haven't indicated what model your car is) but take a look at this thread about the headrest operation and my post about their removal: https://www.rx7club.com/1st-generati...sl-se-1139938/

If the headrest rods are rusty, that could be why they don't move easily. And if the rods are rusty, chances are the springs around the rods are rusty too. You might want to go straight to the removal instructions rather than try to move (and possibly break) rusty parts.

 

OP, they are adjustable. On the right "rod" of the headrest (right rod on both driver and pass. seat) there is a horse shoe-shaped spring clip built into the plastic trim ring (as mentioned above). Unlike most cars with a button to depress, you just push or pull the headrest up/down and the notches in the rod will pass through that spring clip. I've never needed a screwdriver or tool to adjust either of my '85's (one leather, one cloth seats). So basically just force it down, then you can pull it up one notch at a time. Use some muscle and you'll see what I mean.