A shop recently worked on my 72 Olds Cutlass S interior. When I got the car back, I noticed that the head restraints look like something is not put together correctly. I have both the Chassis Service Manual and the Fisher Body Service Manual, but I can't find any info in there about how the head restraints are assembled (I'm NOT talking about how they are mounted to the seatbacks). There is a stiff curved plastic piece on the bottom of each head restraint, and mine look wrong. I doubt the factory would release a product looking like this. How can I fix it???

{NOTE: I have attempted to attach 3 photos here, but I don't know if I did it right. Yes, I did read the FAQ about how to add attachments, but after I uploaded them it's not too clear how to make the attachments appear in the post. At this point I can see the filenames in the attachments list.}

 

That piece you are pointing to has come unglued from the bottom of the cushion.

 

That plastic piece will also warp when they get old and often not follow the contour of the underside of the headrest. You can check to be sure they did not out them on flipped backwards. I can’t remember if they fit that way but worth a check. As the previous poster said you may be able to glue them back on.

 

Thanks, Fun71 and Ap6954. You were both correct. When I first looked at it, I didn't see any signs of it previously being glued. I removed one of the head restraints to get a better look. It's apparent that the plastic underside cover was in fact glued on. I was thinking the plastic was supposed to go inside the edges of the restraint covering, but now I can see that's not the case. I will pursue gluing the underside plastic covers back on with maybe contact adhesive. Thanks to both of you for the help and advice.

 

Those were NOT glued anywhere originally. The factory just used the two retention pushpins to hold the underside filler piece in place. Over time, they "sag" downwards since they're thin plastic. Those pieces are reproduced in black and white plastic and they are, IMO, nice reproductions.

 

Patton is right. Not originally glued. Yours were probably glued since they were sagging so bad. As he also mentions you can buy repops. They originally had a grain pattern on them that flakes off when they get old so the repops may be your best bet if yours are flaking. If you want to just”reshape” your originals some heat from a heat gun may get you there.

 

Thanks, 70Post and Ap6954. OK, now it's NOT apparent that it was ever glued on - I thought I was seeing signs of glue on the underside of the restraint, but not so.
I'll try heating up the plastic and see what I can do with it. And also look for new replacement plastic bottom covers. I think I'm good to go, now.