97 Taurus Headrest Removal

Hi,

I just received a '97 Taurus sedan from my grandmother who can't drive anymore. This car has 29k miles on it and the body is in PERFECT condition. The trouble arises with the fact that I'm an upright bass player. I've done a lot of research on how to fit upright basses in sedans and most people have no problem. They put the passenger seat forward, tilted back as far as it will go and take the headrest off and then you can fit a bass in pretty easy.

However, I can't figure out at all how to get the headrest off! i tried fitting my bass in as it is, but the seat is a little too tall and the angle the bass has to go in i can't see out the back window or the passenger rear-view mirror. Maybe if the seat leaned back farther (i don't think that's possible) or i could remove the headrest (might be possible) I could probably fit it fine.

I looked up the blue book value of this car.. it's only $1.5k That's ridiculous seeing the condition of the car, it's basically a new car so trading it in for a wagon would be a HUGE loss.

any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

This is for 99 Taurus, give it a try:
Head Restraints


Removal

1. Unscrew front seat head rest guide rod retainers (610A18).

2. Pull up on front seat back head restraint (611A08). Compress foam in area of front seat head rest guide rod sleeves (610A16).

3. Remove front seat back head restraint positioning springs. Pull front seat back head restraint up and out.


Installation

1. Slide front seat head rest guide rod retainers onto front seat back head restraint posts.

2. Compress foam in front seat head rest guide rod sleeve area. Install positioning springs on front seat head rest guide rod sleeves.

3. Insert front seat back head restraint posts (notches on posts facing rearward) into front seat head rest guide rod sleeves and push down to engage positioning spring.

4. Note: Front seat back head restraint must operate smoothly throughout its range of travel, must remain in any fixed position, and must not be freely removable from the seat back. If any of these conditions are not met, check for proper installation of positioning spring onto front seat head rest guide rod sleeve.

Tighten front seat head rest guide rod retainers onto front seat head rest guide rod sleeves.

5. Adjust front seat back head restraint by applying hand pressure, either up or down, to center area of front seat back head restraint.