The 'head restraint' in my 2003 Taurus functions as required, but to me it is a nuisance. How can I remove it?

Make sure you replace it after removal. It is part of the safety system and prevents you getting a broken neck in a crash.

Depress the large button on the head restraint guide and raise the head restraint to the full up position. Depress the smaller button on the opposite head restraint guide and pull upward to remove from the seat.Jan 16, 2022

Rear headrest removal ' Trailblazer Forum

front left or right and why>?
may I ask why? why remove a safety device.??????
did you search first.
we just answered this last month.
did you read the operators guide in this,
lost the glove box guide already?
or want is to read it to you, ok
here again.
answering for USA cars.
page 56
got this option>
Supplemental Active Head Restraints (AHR)
wana bet THAT dont come off, unless replacing it but you never said why.
page 161
"The head restraints should only be removed by qualified
technicians, for service purposes only. If either of
the head restraints require removal, see your authorized
dealer.
• In the event of deployment of an Active Head Restraint,
refer to "Occupant Restraints/Resetting Active
Head Restraints (AHR)" in "Things To Know Before
Starting Your Vehicle" for further information."

if lost the book
its here to read 24/7 or download
read it
then say why its to be removed.

http://www.jeep.com/en/owners/manuals/

factory service manual 2000. I posted the book free here 300 times.
as they say RTM , read the manual>?
Ill quote the pages for you .

"REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION
HEAD RESTRAINT SLEEVE
REMOVAL
NOTE: When replacing a head restraint sleeve, the
retaining tabs on the sleeve will be damaged during
the removal process. Check the availability of
replacement parts before servicing.
(1) Raise head restraint to the full up position.
(2) Turn head restraint lock thumbwheel to release
head restraint and pull head restraint upward to
remove from seat back.
(3) Insert head restraint sleeve extractor (special
tool 6773) (Fig. 1) and (Fig. 2) into the seat back.
(4) The retaining tabs are positioned on each side
of the sleeve, when inserting the extractor, ensure
that the flat of the collar is facing the side of the
seatback (Fig. 3).
(5) Using a small hammer, tap extractor downward
to release sleeve retaining tab.
(6) Remove extractor tool from sleeve, rotate tool
180 degrees (Fig. 4) and repeat steps 3 and 4.
(7) Remove extractor tool from sleeve and remove
sleeve from seat back."

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) Depowering and Repowering

Depowering Procedure

WARNING: Always wear safety glasses when repairing an air bag supplemental

restraint system (SF3) vehicle and when handling an air bag module. This will reduce

the risk of injury in the event of an accidental deployment.

WARNING: Never probe the connectors on the airbag module. Doing so can result in

air bag deployment, which can result in personal injury.

WARNING: To reduce the risk of personal injury, do not use any memory saver

devices.

NOTE: Ifa seat equipped with a seat mounted side airbag and or a safety belt

pretensioner (if equipped) system is being serviced, the supplemental restraint system

(SES) must be depowered.

NOTE: The air bag warning lamp illuminates when the RCM fuse is removed and the

ignition switch is ON. This is normal operation and does not indicate a supplemental

restraint system (SRS) fault.

NOTE: The SRS must be fully operational and free of faults before releasing the vehicle

to the customer

1. Turn all vehicle accessories OFF.

2. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.

3. At the central junction box (Cm), located below the LH side of the instrument panel,

remove the cover and the restraints control module (RCM) fuse F223 (lOA) from

the CTh. For additional information, refer to the Wiring Diagram Manual.

4. Turn the ignition ON and visually monitor the air bag indicator for at least 30

seconds. The air bag indicator will remain lit continuously (no flashing) if the correct

ROsI fuse has been removed, If the air bag indicator does not remain lit

continuously, remove the correct RCM fuse before proceeding

5. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.

6. WARNING: To avoid accidental deployment and possible personal injury, the

backup power supply must be depleted before repairing or replacing any front or

side air bag supplemental restraint system (SRS) components and before set-ricing,

replacing, adjusting or striking components near the front or side air bag sensors,

such as doors, instrument panel, console, door latches, strikers, seats and hood

latches.

To deplete the backup power supply energy, disconnect the battery ground cable

and wait at least one minute. Be sure to disconnect auxiliary batteries and power

supplies (if equipped).

Disconnect the battery ground cable and wait at least one minute.

Repoweri.ng Procedure

1. WARNING: The restraint system diagnostic tool is for restraint system service

only. Remove from vehicle prior to road use. Failure to remove could result in

injury and possible violation of vehicle safety standards.

Make sure all restraint system diagnostic tool(s) that may have been installed during

the repair have been removed from the vehicle and all SRS components are

connected.

2. Turn the ignition switch from OFF to ON.

3. Install the ROsI fuse F2.23 (lOA) to the DB and install the cover.

4. WARNING: Be sure that nobody is in the vehicle and that there is nothing

blocking or set in front of any air bag module when the battery ground cable is

connected.

Connect the battery ground cable.

5. Prove out the supplemental restraint system (SRS) as follows:

Turn the ignition key from ON to OFF. Wait 10 seconds, then turn the key back to

ON and visually monitor the air bag indicator with the air bag modules installed. The

air bag indicator will light continuously for approximately six seconds and then turn

off. If an air bag supplemental restraint system (SF3) fault is present, the air bag

indicator will:

- failto light.

- remain lit continuously.

- flash.

The flashing might not occur until approximately 30 seconds after the ignition switch

has been turned from the OFF to the ON position. This is the time required for the

restraints control module (RCM) to complete the testing of the SRS. if the air bag

indicator is inoperative and a SRS fault exists, a chime will sound in a pattern of 5

sets of 5 beeps. If this occurs, the air bag indicator and any SRS fault discovered

must be diagnosed and repaired.

Head Restraints Removal

1. Unscrew front seat head rest guide rod retainers (610A18) .
   

1. Pull up on front seat back head restraint (611A08) . Compress foam in area of front seat head rest guide rod sleeves (610A16) .
   

1. Remove front seat back head restraint positioning springs. Pull front seat back head restraint up and out.
   

Installation

1. Slide front seat head rest guide rod retainers onto front seat back head restraint posts.
   

1. Compress foam in front seat head rest guide rod sleeve area. Install positioning springs on front seat head rest guide rod sleeves .
   

1. Insert front seat back head restraint posts (notches on posts facing rearward) into front seat head rest guide rod sleeves and push down to engage positioning spring.
   

1. NOTE: Front seat back head restraint must operate smoothly throughout its range of travel, must remain in any fixed position, and must not be freely removable from the seat back. If any of these conditions are not met, check for proper installation of positioning spring onto front seat head rest guide rod sleeve .
   
   Tighten front seat head rest guide rod retainers onto front seat head rest guide rod sleeves .
   

1. Adjust front seat back head restraint by applying hand pressure, either up or down, to center area of front seat back head restraint .
   

It is not necessary to have the dealer do this, think of the cash! Though it does require patience and time. The pin you are supposed to push in goes into a slot when you have it in run position, since you cannot turn it to run you have to make a slot for the pin to go into, with a drill. Be very careful as you only have a 1/4" of play before you break a washer behind the cylinder. Once you have drilled out the key far enough to the pin hole you can take a nail set and tap the pin up, you can tell when the pin clears the housing, then it just takes wiggle, patience and tinkering to get the cylinder to slide out, keep the green washer and the metal slot washer. Metal slot washer goes in first with green plastic washer ontop of that with lock cylinder in last. You can play around with the new lock cylinder and washer before insertion to determin correct direction.

Here are official directions with inoperable lock cylinder. They say drill out retaining pin but it just spun in circles for me - I looked at new cylinder and saw how it worked. retaining pin needs a place to go.
Removal & Installation (Non-Functional)
NOTE:Use this procedure to remove ignition lock cylinder if key is missing or cylinder is frozen.

Disconnect negative battery cable. Disable air bag system. See appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article in RESTRAINTS. Wait at least one minute for air bag back-up power supply to deplete. Remove steering wheel. See STEERING WHEEL . Using a 1/8" bit, drill out retaining pin located below lock cylinder on housing. DO NOT drill deeper than 1/2".
Using channel lock pliers, twist lock cylinder cap until it separates from lock cylinder. Using a 3/8" drill bit, drill down center of ignition lock key slot about 1 3/4" until lock cylinder breaks loose from its base.
Remove retainer, washer, and lock cylinder gear from housing. Remove metal shavings from lock cylinder bore. Replace housing if damaged. To install, reverse removal procedure. Connect negative battery cable. Check air bag system for proper system operation. See appropriate AIR BAG RESTRAINT SYSTEMS article in RESTRAINTS.

Head Restraints Each front seat is equipped with dual-post design front seat back head restraint (611A08). The front seat back head restraint is installed as follows:

• It travels on dual posts which have notches to engage a spring-loaded catch in the guide.
• The front seat back spring assembly retains the front seat head rest guide rod sleeve (610A16).

• The front seat back head restraint is adjustable from its normal position to a raised position of approximately 25 mm (1 inch).
• Pull up on the front seat back head restraint to raise it. Pushing down will return it to its normal position.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Removal

1. Unscrew front seat head rest guide rod retainers (610A18).
   

1. Pull up on front seat back head restraint (611A08). Compress foam in area of front seat head rest guide rod sleeves (610A16).
   

1. Remove front seat back head restraint positioning springs. Pull front seat back head restraint up and out.
   

Installation

1. Slide front seat head rest guide rod retainers onto front seat back head restraint posts.
   

1. Compress foam in front seat head rest guide rod sleeve area. Install positioning springs on front seat head rest guide rod sleeves.
   

1. Insert front seat back head restraint posts (notches on posts facing rearward) into front seat head rest guide rod sleeves and push down to engage positioning spring.
   

1. Tighten front seat head rest guide rod retainers onto front seat head rest guide rod sleeves.
   

1. NOTE: Front seat back head restraint must operate smoothly throughout its range of travel, must remain in any fixed position, and must not be freely removable from the seat back. If any of these conditions are not met, check for proper installation of positioning spring onto front seat head rest guide rod sleeve.
   
   Adjust front seat back head restraint by applying hand pressure, either up or down, to center area of front seat back head restraint.
   

1. Depress the button on the inboard head restraint guide to raise the head restraint to the full up position.
2. Insert a small diameter tool into the hole on the inboard side of the outboard head restraint guide and pull upward to remove.

Note: These are head restraints and should be left in place for safety reasons!

There is a small flat button in the plastic piece that sits on top of the seat. This button will release head rest