Removal of Center Console Arm Rest Lid for a replacement with a crest

[markjcs]

Does anyone know how to remove the center console arm rest lid and install a new one? I’ve been searching for some instructions and tutorials but there’s nothing. Please help and shed some light!

Sponsored

 

[ScottHelme]

I know this is an old post, but I did mine today and it's maybe a 10 minute job. You need a T25 bit and a plastic trim/pry tool, and you can simply remove the leather cover from your existing arm rest and replace it with a new cover.

1) Open the arm rest and remove the small plastic cover over the hinge mechanism with the pry tool. Just get underneath it and gently pull it away, it's only held on with some small clips.

2) The large plastic cover on the underside of the arm rest needs to come off next, and is also held on with clips. Pry the very front edge of the plastic (near the release button) away from the leather to pop the 3 clips out (green highlight) and the guide pin. The plastic cover then 'slides' away from the hinge and comes off, there are multiple guide pins (blue highlight). The release button will come away with the plastic cover.

3) Remove the 7 x T25 screws (orange highlight) and the leather cover will lift away from the metal part of the arm rest assembly.


Fitting the new cover is a case of reversing the steps above. Note that there are some white plastic guide pins (red highlight) that can get stuck in the metal part of the arm rest assembly. If they do, remove them, or they will block the guide pins on the new arm rest.

When installing the new leather cover, I found it easier to hook it over the back of the hinge side first and then push it in place with the guide pins. You then replace the 7 x T25 screws, slide the large plastic cover back over the metal plate and click it in place, then click the small plastic cover back over the hinge.

 

[acull2000]

Good guide, thanks! I'd heard removing the arm rest from the car was a pita, and can't quite figure out; does your 10 minute estimate include removing it from car, or do you recommend leaving the armrest fitted to the car whilst replacing leather top as you describe above?

 

[Chiu]

I want to remove the armrest and reinforce the rear spring… because it’s honestly way too hard to use.

 

[Nickj]

Hi Scott, yes, intrigued. Can I do as you did with the armrest in place in the car. Eg get the leather cover off in situ and then get re covered in Alcantara?

Wanted to do this but the you tube guides show a much more time consuming process to get the armrest off!

 

[ScottHelme]

Yeah, you will just have to live without a cover on the armrest while they carry out the work, but it wouldn’t be any different to the process above.

 

[ScottHelme]

Good guide, thanks! I'd heard removing the arm rest from the car was a pita, and can't quite figure out; does your 10 minute estimate include removing it from car, or do you recommend leaving the armrest fitted to the car whilst replacing leather top as you describe above?

I left the armrest fitted to the car and just swapped the covers

Sponsored