My experience has been that if the headrest rod with the locking spear on the bottom is not pressed down into the lock, it will act like this. Because it is not locked in, the rod can't be pulled down, but the mechanism will push it up. If the headrest gearbox is bad, typically it won't allow the headrest to move at all. You may be right, Vin. I'm just saying this has been my experience. Certainly pays to check out what I'm saying before buying anything or even taking anything apart. I have "repaired" a few cars this way already......Gilly