I've seen several older posts that discuss this, but still don't feel like I've found the best solution. Just bought a 2017 Outback 3.6R Limited. Pretty much any new car has the issue of headrests (yes, I know that they are called "head restraints" but I like "headrest") that tilt significantly forward which causes neck pain for some drivers. I am one of those drivers. After a few shoulder surgeries, I find that driving upright (little to no recline) is the most comfortable for me (from a back/shoulder standpoint(. The headrests are apparently designed for people who recline quite a bit. When driving with the seatback upright, the headrest pushes my head forward and causes neck pain.
The solutions I have seen are turning the headrests backwards (which defeats the purpose of them in case of an accident) and bending the posts so they don't angle forward. I am looking for practical advice on the best way to bend them forward with the least risk of damaging them. I had purchased a set of headrests for the Forester (which I read are not as bad), but they still angle forward quite a bit (maybe slightly better than the Outback as best). I will likely try to do this procedure on the Forester headrests and will hopefully not need to alter the ones that came with the car.
Appreciate any advice that others can provide on how they have bent their headrest posts forward to address this problem.
NOTES:
1) Please don't comment that the headrests are comfortable for you. I am not you. I've seen enough posts on this for various cars to know that while I may be in a minority, there are plenty of people that this affects.
2) Also, no need for comments that doing this will defeat the purpose of the headrests. If I can't drive comfortably with them then they already are counterproductive. Prolonged driving with this head/neck angle will likely do it's own damage.
The solutions I have seen are turning the headrests backwards (which defeats the purpose of them in case of an accident) and bending the posts so they don't angle forward. I am looking for practical advice on the best way to bend them forward with the least risk of damaging them. I had purchased a set of headrests for the Forester (which I read are not as bad), but they still angle forward quite a bit (maybe slightly better than the Outback as best). I will likely try to do this procedure on the Forester headrests and will hopefully not need to alter the ones that came with the car.
Appreciate any advice that others can provide on how they have bent their headrest posts forward to address this problem.
NOTES:
1) Please don't comment that the headrests are comfortable for you. I am not you. I've seen enough posts on this for various cars to know that while I may be in a minority, there are plenty of people that this affects.
2) Also, no need for comments that doing this will defeat the purpose of the headrests. If I can't drive comfortably with them then they already are counterproductive. Prolonged driving with this head/neck angle will likely do it's own damage.
