So the previous owner of my '97 A4 apparently took the head rests off the front seats and then replaced them facing the wrong direction. For some reason in this position the release mechanism doesn't seem to work, and I can't get them back off to turn them around. Any suggestions?

 

No suggestions, but the previous owner was a tool.

 

There is a smallmetal tab on the side of the track that you have to push to get them all the way off. Or is that what you are talking about?

 

haha well said

 

Yeah that's what I'm talking about. With the head rests on backward, pushing the tab apparently doesn't release the post because the WRONG POST is shoved in that side. As far as I can tell, short of ripping the seat backs apart I'm probably stuck with jankety head rests.

And yeah; I'm pretty sure the previous owner was indeed a tool - he obviously never used both hands to steer either, because the leather wrap on the steering wheel is pretty worn on the top and slightly to the left. Fortunately, I don't think he ever drove it very hard because it's in nearly perfect mechanical condition, and not modified in any way.

 

Makes me wonder why they even took the headrests off to beginwith? Seems odd they would take them both off.

^^ love that movie.

 

Does your sunroof open? You might be able to get some leaverage if you could pull them straight up through the sunroof

 

Unless they put that put that on backwards too

 

in some of the screw driver package deals that you can buy they have little tools that look like they belong in a dentists office...use one of these "pointed" or "hook" tools to push down into the hole where the little release button is and then pull up while doing this...the hook is there to release the pin from the metal rod going down...you might have to jimmy the tool and play with it till you get the right angle to pop it out...let us know how it works out for you..

 

Spoken like a pro.. You must have a lot of first hand experience.