Hi. Just wondering if anyone has experience of removing the front headrests from a 03 model Doblo. I have just bought a set of seat covers (£11-99 from Aldi).

I got them because the photo on their website appears to show them fitted in a Doblo.

Here's my problem, instruction no1 says "Remove headrests (some types of headrest will have to be removed by a garage)". They slide up and down but there doesn't seem to be any button or catch to release them:bang:.

Will someone please tell me that I'm missing something very simple.

They've also got them in Lidl for £9.99 but they aren't shown in a car. Have to admit, I saw the Aldi advert & it never clicked that I was looking at a dobbin.
Aldi & Lidl always seem to sell the same tat so I'll nip down to Lidl tomorrow.

As far as the headrests go, I removed the middle from the rear seat & it came out by squeezing the front & back of the plastic piece surrounding the base of each support.

I fear that it is impossible to remove the front headrests.......

I regularly remove the rears and truly hope there is an easy way to do the fronts, but my struggles to-date have had no success. I fear they are fixed for safety reasons. Don't know how Aldi managed-it if it is a Doblo shown.

As I say, I hope they can be removed but fear the worse...........

Thanks for the replies if it helps the Aldi seat covers are branded auto-xs and they are side airbag and divided rear seat compatible.

Regarding the front headrests according to the owner handbook it shows two types of front headrests, diagram 1, shows fixed head restraints, diagram 2, refers to adjustable in height (my type) it then goes on to say "Fixed head restraints cannot be removed" indicating that the adjustable in height ones (with special tools and a top secret process known only to a fiat dealership) can.

The photo of the Doblo with the seat covers fitted I'm pretty sure is the new shape, 06 on.

Just had a look on mine & you're right, the fronts don't lift out

However, with the rest at its highest, look underneath it & there is a plastic plate held in place by two crosshead screws - it's possible that the padded headrest is screwed onto the plastic plate - which also serves to guide the supports in & out of the padding?

BTW, mine's an 06 doblo & the front passenger door closer/armrest is much longer than the one in the pic & I don't have the (grey) grabrails on the door post for the rear seats, the roof is higher (the body between the top of the door & roof is thicker) and the windscreen slopes waaay too much.

That might be a Kango, dont look much like a Doblo to me, there is no painted bits on the doors either which i thought they had. Or is that just vans??

Hi Sludgeguts you're right about it not being a Doblo, I just spotted similarities (sliding door, steering wheel,etc) and got over exited.

But I have now solved the problem, (at least as far as the headrests are concerned). At the top of the seat cover they have provided a seam that is double hemmed so that you can cut holes for the headrest posts, this seam is 24 centimetres long, by splitting it all the way along you can just manage to squeeze the headrest through.

I have encountered another problem with the ties that go through the gap between the backrest and the seat, i.e. there isn't any gap.

But I'm sure that I'll work something out, either way they have to fit and look better than the "bin liners" that you can buy off ebay for roughly the same price.

I wondered if it would be possible to create a slit.
You didn't try undoing the screws then?

Are the backs high enough? I know the dobbin seats have much higher backs than other marques.

sludgeguts said:

You didn't try undoing the screws then?

Are the backs high enough? I know the dobbin seats have much higher backs than other marques.

Click to expand...

Sorry I should have mentioned in my first post that removing the plastic cover was one of the first things I tried, behind it is a white plastic moulded block into which the headrest posts go, there's no evidence of how this moulding is fixed into the headrest, I tried inserting a screwdriver between the plastic and the outer headrest and gently prising it up wards but there wasn't any movement, so I came to the conclusion that it's probably bonded in.

Regarding your question about the backs being high enough I assume you mean does the back of the seat cover reach the bottom of the seat, if thats the case then the short answer is no, it's probably about 2 inches short, but hey I didn't expect perfection for less than 12 quid.

Seriously though I'm pretty confident that I can get a more than acceptable fit with a little bit of work.

I'm going to be working now until Friday, but then i'm going to remove the seats and get them on the bench in the garage, that should make the job a bit easier.

Oh darn it.

I've just got a cover through to keep my front seat clean. Just discovered the same problem

I guess I may have to slice mine too, although I shall ask the manufacturer first (mine was a little more than £12).

Wheaty

Hi, the headrests are removable but not easily, also need to be sure once refitted are secured back into lock clips. I've only removed them when replacing frame springs in rear of seat squab but you may be able to reach without fully stripping. The seat cover on the rear part of the seat is held together at the bottom of this piece by a plastic edging being clipped in and onto frame, there are also some tie straps interally to hold cover on and the small plastic side trims need removal. Once bottom is slackened you may be able to reach up to headrest rods and release the metal spring clips on each rod at back of seat, this will allow removal of headrest. Reset spring clips into groove, refit all tie straps and cover edging at bottom, fit seat cover and then refit headrest, ensuring it has locked in and won't come out.
If unsure or beyond what you can do, don't attempt it, take it to your local garage as seats are a safety issue if incorrectly assembled.
Easiest option is to get the seat covers with the built in headrest cover.
Hope this helps,John.

Hello

Thanks for the advice on how to get in to remove them.
I'm going to leave them be, as its for a seat cover that I want to be able to remove easily, for washing, and holidays etc. And as you say. Safety first!

I've also realised that there are no holes at the back of the seat base, so the cover I bought does not strap around as it was designed to. I have e-mailed the supplier and I am waiting for a response. Im assuming they sent the wrong seat pattern for a Doblo.

Shame as they look just the ticket.

Cheers

Wheaty