Remove VW T5 California rear head restraints / headrest

Although the rear head restraints / headrest can be dropped down then the lower bed is made up they take up a lot of room under the bed. As we often drop the bed and travel with my kayaks inside I wanted to remove them.

Drop the head rest and carefully prize out the plastic side covers

VW T5 California Headrest removal

There are ‘C’ pins holding in the headrest, using a pin punch I knocked them in from each side.

Knock in C pin

Once the pins have been knocked in the headrest can easily be pulled out.

VW T5 California Headrest removal

The black plastic is part of the locking system shown below is to keep the headrest locked up, this moves with the headrest metal bar is removed stoping it from locking up, I pushed this in and placed a small piece of foam on the hole and replaced the side cover.

WV T5 California headrest removal

Finally to finish it off I put some grommets in the holes.

VW T5 California headrest removal

 

5 thoughts on “Remove VW T5 California rear head restraints / headrest

  1. Hi Jamie,
    When you mentioned above about knocking in the C pins, can you give a clarification? I tried with a small screwdriver to tap in the holes but nothing happened. Once you knock them in, can you still put the headrests back later on and will they remain? Thanks Laurent

  2. Hi Jamie, I tried your method but removed only one from four C-pins ((, and finally I solved this like a surgeon)) – with handsaw for metal: I sawned the main axis near bracket (this axis made from very soft metal – sawn quickly / no problem) and after that bent axis (so easy too) for take out. This axis consists of two equal parts.
    Next problem: Central part of massive is made of aluminium profile (This It is desirable to remove too). This part mounted on two metal Spring-loaded fixing latchs. This easy to remove with strong flat screwdriver.
    That’s All))
    PS: Of course you need to take away plastic back cover of the seat the first))
    And SORRY FOR MY English)))))

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