When it comes to car seats, the Graco brand is a big player. And like most big brands, their products tend to be a bit of a hit and miss. If you’re one of those unlucky ones whose car seat seems to have stopped working properly, don’t worry; this blog post is for you. In it, we will explore how to fix a Graco car seat headrest and get your child back in the safety seat as quickly as possible.
What is a Headrest?
A headrest is a type of seat belt that is designed to keep the head and neck in a comfortable position during a car crash. They are generally fitted to the front seats of cars, and can help reduce the risk of injury to the head and neck.
How to Fix a Graco Car Seat Headrest
Fixing a Graco car seat headrest is a simple task that can fix your child’s car seat without having to take it to a mechanic. Here are instructions on how to fix a Graco car seat headrest:
1. Unbuckle the child restraint and pull out the Base.
2. Remove the two screws near the top of the Base.
3. Lift off the headrest cover.
4. Locate and remove the three Phillips screws at the base of the headrest support bar (two on each side).
5. Release the headrest support bar from its mountings by gently prying up on one end and pulling it away from the rest of the headrest assembly.
6. Carefully remove both ends of the headrest support bar and set them aside in a safe place, as they will be needed again later in this process (if replacing).
7. Remove any excess adhesive or plastic wrap from around the edges of both sides of the headrest frame using a razor blade or a fingernail clipper, then reapply if necessary. Cut off any excess tape close to where it meets either side of the fabric with scissors or an Exacto knife (a dull blade will cause excessive damage so be careful!).
8. Apply pressure to one edge of each piece of fabric using your palm, then use your fingers to stretch it evenly across both pieces until it snaps into place (you may need to do this several times
What Should You Do if Your Headrest is Broken?
If your headrest is broken, it needs to be replaced. Graco recommends replacing the headrest if it does not meet safety requirements set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). If you have a car seat that was manufactured after December 2008, your headrest must meet the Australian Standard AS2906.2.1.
To replace the headrest, follow these steps:
1) Remove the four screws that hold the cover on.
2) Lift off the cover and remove the headrest.
3) Pry off the old adhesive with a screwdriver and discard it. Apply new adhesive to one side of the headrest and slide it into place on top of the mounting hardware. Make sure that it fits snugly against both sides of the mountings and press down firmly until cured. Replace the screws that were removed in step 1.
Tips for Fixing a Graco Car Seat Headrest
If you’ve ever gone through the hassle of fixing a Graco car seat headrest, then you know that it can be a bit of a pain. Here are some tips to make the process easier:
1. Check the fit first. Before you start fixing anything, make sure that the headrest is properly fitted to your child’s car seat. If it’s not, you might not be able to fix it properly.
2. Clean off any debris or gunk. Once you have determined that the headrest is properly fitted, take care of any debris or gunk that may have been trapped between the headrest and your car seat base. This will help reduce the likelihood of future headaches.
3. Get some help. If you find yourself struggling with this repair, consider getting help from someone else. There are often times where fixing a Graco car seat headrest requires more than one person to complete the task successfully.
4. Use brute force if necessary. If all else fails and you find yourself unable to fix the headrest on your own, don’t be afraid to use brute force in order to get it fixed correctly! This may require some extra effort but it should be worth it in the end – especially if it means preventing future headaches for your child!
Conclusion
If you’re having trouble fixing your Graco car seat headrest, there are a few things that you can do in order to get it fixed. If the headrest is not moving up and down, try using a screwdriver to pry off the bottom of the headrest. Once it’s off, you can use a wrench to turn the screws on the side of the headrest until they’re tight enough to hold it in place. If that still doesn’t work, you might need to replace the entire headrest assembly.