Headrest tilted too far forward?

[GJarrett]

http://www.mustang6g.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21595&highlight=head+rest

Thank you. I did a search for "headrest" before starting this thread but somehow missed that in the search results :shrug: It's a start, and also shows how to take the headrest apart. And the replies make it clear we're not the only ones who would prefer a modified headrest position. If I follow through with that mod I'll simply reply to that thread.

This is not that big a deal. We love our new Mustang. Of course Ford (or any other carmaker) cannot manufacture something that perfectly fits every single person and it is obvious all of us are not built the same. That's okay. I simply started this thread in the hope that someone had possibly found a way to reset the ratcheting angles, or some other alternate solution. Just another mod to do to the car. I have a feeling most who replied to this thread have done a mod or two on their car also.

Sponsored

 

[goldengooner]

Is this you OP?

I once had the torso and head of a T-800 on the passenger seat of my S197, now that got some looks, with the roof off, kept his gun arm off
otherwise could have got stopped for having a dangerous weapon

 

[AZ_Ryan]

I am attaching a photo that will hopefully explain.

I have reversed the drivers headrest backwards; it does not touch my head unless I slightly lean back, which feels comfortable if I do so (except for the coat hanger hook in the headrest). The headrest is there, but not intrusive or uncomfortable.

The passenger headrest is in the original stock position and set at the rearmost tilt setting. You can see its base is set a couple of inches forward of the seat back and would contact the passenger's head about 4" forward of where the driver's reversed headrest does, and also will hold the passenger's head at a chin-lower angle to their body. In addition note that the passenger seat is tilted farther back than the driver's side seat is; if it was straightened up to the same angle as the driver's seat it would push the passenger's head even more forward / chin down. FWIW, the headrest tilt settings will click 10-12 times more forward than in the photo and at that angle would jam my chin completely down against my chest if I was sitting in the passenger seat... I have no idea who would use that angle setting. If this is normal to everyone else then I suppose I will accept that I am the one who is abbynormal

It would be great to be able to figure out some way to take the 10-12 tilt settings and rotate the whole shebang back a few clicks.... I think I could live with the rearmost setting being a few clicks further to the rear.

Honestly I think this has more to do with your seating position than a design flaw. From the looks of it your seat back is pretty far up right and your seat is really close. Try lowering your seat back, tilting the seat bottom and dropping the wheel a bit. Neither my wife or I have no issues with hitting our heads on the rest what so ever.

And seriously some people in this place need to grow a sense of humor. ^ :lol:

 

[Fordever]

Just sat in mine for the first time in two weeks. I hadn't noticed any headrest issues prior to now. But I sat in and squirmed around a bit just to get a feel for the headrest/seating setup.

I have my seat a little on the low side about halfway back and my back is tilted a little back. I found that I fit perfectly in the cockpit. My neck fits perfectly in the curve of the headrest when I fully lean back.

In my opinion, these are among the most comfortable I have ever say in. But that's just me.

By the way........ I have the full power adjustable seating, so j don't know if that makes any difference. :shrug:

To the OP.... I hope you resolve your issues, I know what it's like to be uncomfortable driving, as I drive GMs for my work and a GM p/u seat has to be the shittiest thing in the world to sit on. :(

 

[mustang1]

... My solution was to remove the headrests and reverse them, putting them in backwards... and my wife noted that it felt better with the headrests turned around.

it's best not to mess around with the head restraint. If you ever get rear ended, you will want the head restraint just as Ford designed them. Otherwise what is temporary discomfort can easily become long term discomfort. 2015+ Ford Mustang has a "Good" score in the IIHS Head Restraints crash test.

edit: 2010+ Ford Mustang has a "Good" score in the IIHS Head Restraints crash test.

 

[Eric.C]

I'm always late to the party.

Sorry, not sorry to check most of your egos, but the OP is more correct than the rest of you. For anyone saying that they're sitting up straight without their head or shoulders touching the seat back I can guarantee you have structural issues even if you're not feeling any pain. When the muscles around the neck, shoulders, chest, and (around and in) the abdominal cavity are tight (or fascia-restricted) they'll pull your shoulders and neck forward. They're holding you in a premanent slouch. Hence the hump back.

These headrests do sit too far forward. What I was told by a Mercedes dealer is that it's federally mandated. Aparently a university (he wasn't sure which one) conducted a study that found that a more forward position in the headrest reduced whiplash by 60% in a rear end collision. But what that study never took into account was both posture and structural alignment of the people in the car.

What that means for people like the OP and myself is that we have to spend extra money to correct these terrible seats. And all seats from 2014 on are like that. Even Mercedes seats suck. If you have no muscular or structural issues then these headrests will push your head forward and down.

GJarrett, in between now and when you can have the headrest corrected, try to strap a thin travel pillow to shoulder area of the seat back. That will push your upper body forward enough that the tilt of the headrest won't affect you. At that point, if you have to add in more lumbar support, then more than likely you do have some muscle tension or restrictions in the muscles in your abdominal cavity.

As far as actually correcting the headrest, you'll have better luck using a tube bender than shaving the foam. That will bend the pegs back to where they should be. If you just shave the foam, the headrest will still tilt forward if you ever have to adjust the height on the headrest.

 

[Fordever]

I'm always late to the party.

Sorry, not sorry to check most of your egos, but the OP is more correct than the rest of you. For anyone saying that they're sitting up straight without their head or shoulders touching the seat back I can guarantee you have structural issues even if you're not feeling any pain. When the muscles around the neck, shoulders, chest, and (around and in) the abdominal cavity are tight (or fascia-restricted) they'll pull your shoulders and neck forward. They're holding you in a premanent slouch. Hence the hump back.

These headrests do sit too far forward. What I was told by a Mercedes dealer is that it's federally mandated. Aparently a university (he wasn't sure which one) conducted a study that found that a more forward position in the headrest reduced whiplash by 60% in a rear end collision. But what that study never took into account was both posture and structural alignment of the people in the car.

What that means for people like the OP and myself is that we have to spend extra money to correct these terrible seats. And all seats from 2014 on are like that. Even Mercedes seats suck. If you have no muscular or structural issues then these headrests will push your head forward and down.

GJarrett, in between now and when you can have the headrest corrected, try to strap a thin travel pillow to shoulder area of the seat back. That will push your upper body forward enough that the tilt of the headrest won't affect you. At that point, if you have to add in more lumbar support, then more than likely you do have some muscle tension or restrictions in the muscles in your abdominal cavity.

As far as actually correcting the headrest, you'll have better luck using a tube bender than shaving the foam. That will bend the pegs back to where they should be. If you just shave the foam, the headrest will still tilt forward if you ever have to adjust the height on the headrest.

I don't think it's a "Who is right or who is wrong issue". The OP finds the seats uncomfortable and reading this thread most don't agree. That doesn't mean he is right or wrong and neither are the rest of the posters in this thread (including me). You said the seats are terrible. I don't agree. I love my seats and so does my wife. Doesn't make me right, just don't have an issue. I think GM seats are horrible, but that's just me.

It's infortunate that the OP has seat issues and there has been some good advice given (along with a little reticule).

That being said, as I said in an earlier post in this thread, I hope he resolves the issue because being uncomfortable while driving is absolutely terrible. :(

 

[Eric.C]

If the seats work great for you as is, that's great. The problem is, physilogically, they shouldn't. The fact that they do for you means something isn't right with your musculoskeletal structure.

 

[mustang1]

ideally one's head should be within 1" of the head restraint to minimize risk of whiplash. Lots of drivers out there are distracted by their smart phones, day dreaming, eating, etc.

 

[stoli]

I get the feeling that most of the replies might be coming from a generation that has spent its entire life slumping around with head drooped while staring down at a cellphone... if you sit up correctly and hold your head up properly this headrest will hit your head. If you can sit back in your seat without leaning your upper body just a little forward and taking your shoulder blades out away from the top of the seat, how is your head NOT against the headrest? I am flabbergasted how someone could put a helmet on at track day with the headrest on the seat.

I'm in my mid 40s and wear a helmet quite often in the car w/out issue.

 

[Fordever]

If the seats work great for you as is, that's great. The problem is, physilogically, they shouldn't. The fact that they do for you means something isn't right with your musculoskeletal structure.

I am not sure how you can say that without an assessment of me, my wife and most of the other mustang drivers, but sure. :cheers:

 

[Cobra Jet]

I hope you guys realize the headrests are adjustable... not only up and down... but forward and backwards.

Get behind the back of the headrest with your palm and push it forward (towards windshield). You can move it a few inches forward. If you move it all the way forward it will pass the detent position and allow the headrest to spring all the way back (towards back seat), where it is (and should be) for its "default" position.

With my headrests in the default position, there's no way my head can come in contact with the headrest when sitting in the seat in a normal position. If I force my head back OR I have the headrest pulled all the way forward is the only time I can make complete contact with the headrest.

Are you all sure someone did not pull your headrests all the way forward??

 

[NightmareMoon]

I do have to agree that when I have my helmet on for track days and autocross that I have to lean my seat back further than I want to because of the head restraint. But for everyday driving it just isn't an issue at all.

For autox / track use with a helmet, I just turn the headrest around.

 

[GTP]

Same here.

The bars should have been designed with less angle.
The middle position should then be the normal.
The back position should be for a helmet.
Then the forward position are still available for whatever.

Sponsored