rear headrests

[ben rawlings]

hi everyone.

thinking about fitting some rear headrests to my ledders maestro. ive never attempted this before and wondered if anyone out there has done it to thier maestro?

how is it done and how long does it take???????

any help appreciated

[Simon]

I've done it!

You will need to use post 1993 Rover 200 rear headrests in your case as they will match your fronts (although the prongs will have a narrower pitch than the fronts) and you need a pair of head restraint plastic ferrules for the prongs to slide into. You'll need to make a pair of brackets that can hold the ferrules into position on the front of the seat backrest pan as well. I made mine from inch square tube and brazed a shaped end on the tube to allow the ferrule to slot into place. I also brazed on a couple of mounting lugs to pop rivet the brackets to the seat in the correct position.

Fitting involves marking the position of the headrest prongs carefully first,on the seat back, and making a couple of holes in the fabric, then removing the cover from the seat backrests, attaching the brackets and cutting back the foam padding (this is a messy job). Fit the brackets, refit the padding and upholstery and then fitting the ferrules through the holes you made in the top of the seat back upholstery, then snapping the ferrules securely into place. Then you can slide the head restraints into place and, hey presto! Job done!

I had to use Maestro front seat head restraints and ferrules for my car, but adopted the procedure as outlined above. Even with the head restraints still attached to the seat, it will fold in the usual manner, which is good.

If you are doing this to a Ledbury, then you might consider fitting a third centre head restraint like modern cars have!

I've made it sound easy, but it is quite a fiddly job involving lots of careful measurement and paper/card templates first.

Note-once you slide the plastic ferrules in, you can't get them out so be warned. That means you can't get used ones off a scrap car, so new ones are the only answer. Ledbury might have some however.

[ben rawlings]

I've done it!

You will need to use post 1993 Rover 200 rear headrests in your case as they will match your fronts (although the prongs will have a narrower pitch than the fronts) and you need a pair of head restraint plastic ferrules for the prongs to slide into. You'll need to make a pair of brackets that can hold the ferrules into position on the front of the seat backrest pan as well. I made mine from inch square tube and brazed a shaped end on the tube to allow the ferrule to slot into place. I also brazed on a couple of mounting lugs to pop rivet the brackets to the seat in the correct position.

Fitting involves marking the position of the headrest prongs carefully first,on the seat back, and making a couple of holes in the fabric, then removing the cover from the seat backrests, attaching the brackets and cutting back the foam padding (this is a messy job). Fit the brackets, refit the padding and upholstery and then fitting the ferrules through the holes you made in the top of the seat back upholstery, then snapping the ferrules securely into place. Then you can slide the head restraints into place and, hey presto! Job done!

I had to use Maestro front seat head restraints and ferrules for my car, but adopted the procedure as outlined above. Even with the head restraints still attached to the seat, it will fold in the usual manner, which is good.

If you are doing this to a Ledbury, then you might consider fitting a third centre head restraint like modern cars have!

I've made it sound easy, but it is quite a fiddly job involving lots of careful measurement and paper/card templates first.

Note-once you slide the plastic ferrules in, you can't get them out so be warned. That means you can't get used ones off a scrap car, so new ones are the only answer. Ledbury might have some however.




thanks alot simon, cheers for the detailed explanation. ill let you Know how it turns out when i get round to doing it.

[Simon]

Here is a picture of what I did:

[E_T_V]

Nice work Simon.. But what on earth is going on with your avatar.. that should be banned on grounds of bad taste and decency!

[Simon]

"I'm smitten with my Vauxhall"

I even gave it a full wash and polish today, including hoovering the inside.

Mind you, as always I have plans for a full upgrade. This picture should whet your appetite...

[ChrisM]

:laugh: Wow Simon, the badges still live :cool:

[Ricky]

Dearie me, taking rather a Cavalier attitude there, aren't we Simon? I wouldn't want to be the one to bestow any Merit on that idea, I have to say! Still, there is no accounting for personal taste - some could be green with Envoy! Personally I feel a VDP badge is something that should be left off of a Vauxhall, of Corsa - they seem to be the preserve of Chavs and Chevettes round here. Still, a Nova idea, if nothing else!

(Please inform me when I get funny, if ever the occasion arises :shoot: )

Ricky.

[ben rawlings]

Here is a picture of what I did:





v good

[G51 NAV]

What is it about Maestro owners also having to own a Vauxhall as well? Got to admit, the Mk3 Phase 2 Astra we had up until recently was one of the best cars I've ever had. 1.4, 5 gears, no rattles and squeaks, cruise at 70mph all day and give you 40mpg, similar interior and luggage-space as a Maestro. T'was brilliant. Not much keen on our current minibus though :mad:

Back on topic, the only bad thing about fitting rear headrests to Maestros is that they partly impede on rear visibility. It's only when you get in other cars (including to some degree our old Mk3 Astra - it had quite a high rear window) do you realise what a 'greenhouse-on-wheels' the good ol' Maestro was.