Headrest Retainer Clip - Is it needed?

[Thor]

I've got a question about the purpose of the retainer clip used to secure the headrest into the seat frame. What's it primary purpose? Is it there to prevent easily getting it stolen or does it serve a different purpose such as preventing it from flying loose in an accident?

I am half tempted to remove the clip and leave it out since I had such difficult removing the headrest. I tried pulling really hard, snapping it and got one of the two headrest off that way. The other one, no way. So I ended up removing it during my putting on a new seat cover. If it's just there to prevent it getting stolen I'd leave it off.

 

[Bob73RWA]

I left mine off when I recovered my seats. I figure if I ever need it I can always pull the headrests out and install the clip.

 

[regularman]

I plan on doing my seats in the near future. What is the easy way to remove the headrests then? Is there a special secret?

 

[Thor]

I've heard that it takes a quick upward snapping motion to remove the headrest. If you have any difficulty in getting them off just wait until you remove the seat cover.

If you remove the seat cover then just take off the cardboard seat back stiffener. The headrest is then visible and its pretty easy to get it out.