Darn fragile interior clips - broken seat back - Grrrrrr. :x

[Cool Cat]

:x

I'm installing headrest screens and so to route the wires through the back of the seat I had to remove the seat back (not the whole back, just the back cover). I read the instructions for doing so in the Honda manual, no biggie, pull here, lift there, gently slide it out. So I start with the pull here, boy-howdie that thing doesn't want to move. I pull a little harder. I'm getting worried, but I really need to get this off. I pull a little harder. I try coming at it from a slightly different angle. I go back to the beginning, check the manual again, make sure I know where the clips are located. I go back and try again to pull it off. I give it a couple of quick tugs --- SNAP!!! --- dang it, the plastic just cracked right below the clip on the left side. Sheesh. I really need to get this off so I keep going. Finally - POP - it comes off. I gently slide it down as the instructions say to do and notice things falling on the floor. Both clips are still firmly in place in the seat frame, they have broken their mounting points out of the plastic seat back. There are also two clips molded into the seat back and one of them has broken off. :x :x :x

Needless to say, I'm not happy about this. Now, with the back of the seat off, I can reach the back side of these clips so I went at them with a pair of pliers to squeeze them shut so they'd come out and I could try to repair the seat back, but they won't come out easily even doing it this way, one of them has broken one of its two prongs off and the other one is still fighting to stay in the seat. This is supposed to be a removeable panel, as indicated by the Honda manual, and these clips make it impossible to remove without breaking. I ran into basically the same problem with the back side of the center console, although the damage wasn't as severe and I was able to reinstall everything successfully (although with some cosmetic damage because the plastics cracked all the way through and a piece came off).

So now I'm faced with having to break off the back of the other seat to install that screen too. I'm going to end up with two broken seat backs because the clips holding them on are just too strong. I haven't looked up prices to replace them yet, but I'm sure its not cheap. I'm thinking about writing a letter to Honda complaining about this. These parts should not be designed to that they will not come apart.

[morriswr]

Did you get to the other seat back or are you waiting on that one. I was thinking of headrest screens (we have the overhead screen now) but this doesn't sound worth it. What type of headrest screens did you put in?

[Cool Cat]

I'm installing 7" screens I got on eBay, they're made by Pyle. I passed on the OEM DVD system because it was way overpriced for the size of the screen.

I have to have the installation finished on Wednesday because we're leaving that night for a trip to Texas. I'll probably be trying to crack open the driver's seat tonight, here's hoping I can get it off without breaking it.

[morriswr]

Wise choice on not going OEM on the DVD. We've had ours in 3 times to get it working and still it isn't that good. I was very happy with the Pilot DVD but that was factory installed and the dealer installed DVD isn't that good. I've even thought about using the Aux input on the DVD I-VES to connect a better DVD player. Of course, it uses an FM modulator instead of connecting to the Aux input on the stereo. I have no idea why they didn't put an output to give you the option of connecting through the auxiliary input.

[Cool Cat]

Yeah, that's another thing I didn't like about the OEM system, the FM modulator for the sound. I've got an SNHOND3 for my aux input and an AUX3 switcher to switch between my Mac mini and the DVD player. This uses the same input that the XM radio had (I disconnected it for the SNHOND3). Way better than an FM modulator.

[morriswr]

Can you tell me more about the Aux3 switcher? If I get another DVD unit, I'd like to run it to my 3.5 mini Aux which I use for my Ipod also. I suppose I could just get a cheap switch from Radio Shack though since the mini jack is easy to access and I could mount it anywhere.

[morriswr]

Actually, it might be better if I just pulled the glovebox and moved rerouted the Aux to a low point on the dash near the floor. I don't care much for where they put the Aux jack (just above the glovebox).

[Cool Cat]

The Soundgate AUX3 has three RCA inputs and one RCA output. It is a powered device (requires wiring to 12V) that can be mounted hidden away and it has a switch to mount on the dashboard to select between the three inputs. It looks pretty nice, I can't wait to get mine installed along with the rest of the system, it should be really nice.

[morriswr]

Thanks, I've been looking at the switch online. It may be more than I need but I suppose it never hurts to have extra inputs.