Interchangeable head restraints?

[guest4603]

My passenger is having real problems with the head restraint in our two-year-old Mk 2.  She is short in stature and the restraint catches the back of her head. The temptation is to raise it significantly, but that would be unsafe.  We are going to try foam cushions to try to raise the passenger and move her forward an inch or two from the back of the seat. That way the head restraint can be lowered into the safe position.

Then I remembered the question had been asked here on the forum : would the mark 3 head restraint fit the mark 2 seat? If so, maybe Honda would sell us one.

Has anyone tried to source a new head restraint? Will it fit the older car? I'd love to know if this is possible.

[trebor1652]

Judging by the amount of time it is taking to get a ' spare wheel kit' for the mk3 if the head restraints did fit I doubt that you would get one before Christmas.

Sent from my XT1039 using Tapatalk

[John Ratsey]

I've checked my Mk 3 and the metal rods on the head restraint are 14cm centre to centre. However, finding the part may be difficult.

Your alternative is to bend the rods slightly. See http://clubjazz.org/forum/index.php?topic=7657.0.

[guest4603]

That's very helpful, John. I'll get out the tape measure!

[guest4603]

The Mark 2 head restraint pillars have been measured at 16cm apart. So sadly, there is no interchangeability.  Now it is a matter of trying out cushions in various configurations.

[Ozzie]

I can't suss out why a raised head restraint would be unsafe? 

[guest4603]

Ozzie, when the head restraint is in the correct position, the lady's head is bent forward so her chin is nearly on her chest!
So she raised the thing, trying to get the bulge moved away from the back of her head. Now it is too high to be safe. Because the back of her skull is more inline with the thinner lower portion of the restraint, or even the metal pillars. She would be in danger if, due to whiplash, her head is flung backwards, as there would be inadequate protection.

[Ozzie]

The thinner lower section of the head restraint should be adequate protection. I would suggest not leave a huge gap where her head would fit between the top of the seat and the lower part of the head restraint and only have the metal bars as protection.

[Pine]

I put Mk1 head restraints in a Mk2.  The distance between the centres is the same but the rods on the Mk1 restraints are a bit thinner which results in them being slightly slack when fitted in a Mk2. However they are a lot further back. I had them in the car for a while but could not feel the restraint behind my head at all so I thought they might be too far back so I took them out and put the originals back in. I gradually reclined the back rest until my head was only slightly in contact and gradually got used to it although I would have preferred to be sitting more upright.

I have a similar complaint with my Ford Fiesta but it is not as bad as the Mk2 Jazz. The best thing for Grayflo to do is to gradually recline the backrest until the problem is reduced. If you usually sit in a very upright position it may take some time to bed in and feel comfortable.

[guest4603]

Ozzie, that is absolutely right. Unprotected metal is highly dangerous .
Pine, my passenger prefers a more upright position, so inclining the seat would not be comfortable for her. However, if she can be moved forward by an inch or two, the restraint could be in the correct position, without pushing her head forward. Maybe something like  this cushioned seat cover would help. http://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-accessories/car-seat-covers-cushions/halfords-padded-seat-cushion-back-support

[guest4603]

  We did buy the halfords cushioned seat cover after all. There was great fun finding  anchoring points for the hooks on the elastic, but we managed and as soon as my passenger sat on it she was dead chuffed. She is now lifted so her head corresponds with the correct point on the head restraint, and she is moved forward slightly, so the bump doesn't touch her head. Result!



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[John Ratsey]

We did buy the halfords cushioned seat cover after all. There was great fun finding  anchoring points for the hooks on the elastic, but we managed and as soon as my passenger sat on it she was dead chuffed. She is now lifted so her head corresponds with the correct point on the head restraint, and she is moved forward slightly, so the bump doesn't touch her head. Result!

Glad to hear you got it sorted.

And, no doubt, a lot less expensive than a new headrest.

[guest5247]

Get them cut , bent and welded if you can.

Mines perfect now , and with lovely upright comfy seat.
I have to be upright as i have a bad back.

Or...get the cushion,  either way...glad you're safe and comfortable.

[guest4603]

I saw your solution when doing a forum search, Rambler. But it seemed a bit drastic, and also totally beyond me! Of course, an even more expensive solution would be to buy a Mark 3 with its adjustable restraints!