Head Restraint Guide Sleeve: Removal

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2013 Ford Explorer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Vehicles without police package, push in on both of the head restraint guide sleeve release buttons and remove the head restraint.
Vehicles with police package, insert straightened end of a paper clip into the inboard guide sleeve hole while pressing the guide sleeve release button and remove the head restraint.
- General Equipment: Paper Clip.
Obtain a flat-head screwdriver with a tip width of 4 mm (0.16 in) - 7 mm (0.28 in) and a thickness of approximately 1 mm (0.04 in).
Push the backrest cover and foam pad down and insert the screwdriver between the head restraint guide sleeve neck and backrest trim cover and foam pad, at the middle of the head restraint guide sleeve release button.

Fig 1: Inserting Screwdriver Between Head Restraint Guide Sleeve Neck And Backrest Trim Cover And Foam Pad
Courtesy of FORD MOTOR CO.
NOTE: When a head restraint guide sleeve has been removed from a seat, a new head restraint guide sleeve must be installed.

Remove the head restraint guide sleeve in the following sequence:
- Using the screwdriver, press the head restraint guide sleeve retaining tab inward approximately 5 mm (0.2 in).
- While pressing the head restraint guide sleeve retaining tab inward, pull upward on the head restraint guide sleeve and remove it from the backrest frame crossmember.
Discard the head restraint guide sleeve.