Has anyone removed the arm rest?

[S3XY_]

Hi all!

The latch broke on my armrest, and I haven't been able to access the console area for a few months. I finally got a new one delivered, but I have no idea how to remove the old one.

I've seen a lot of guides online that detail the removal of the center console and trim, but nothing specific to the arm rest. I am a little apprehensive blindly removing pieces of my newer, fairly expensive car. Can someone point me to a guide, or perhaps suggest an approach to getting the old arm rest swapped out?

Thanks!

 

[AxlxA]

I can help you. I'll post some diagrams later. Let me know if you're still working on it. The arm rest you're talking is broke how? Because you do have to open it to replace it.

 

[AxlxA]

@S3XY_
Pop off the rear vent + rear panel - just pull hard toward the back. it's just held on by clips.
Remove the end plate (2 bolts)

Then follow:

 

[MarsOrBust]

With the arm rest removed one could get it to on upholstery and have it wrapped in a different color before installing it again.
Would look more finished than the velcro wrapped ones currently sold.

 

[m a x i m u s]

@S3XY_
Pop off the rear vent + rear panel - just pull hard toward the back. it's just held on by clips.
Remove the end plate (2 bolts)

Then follow:
View attachment 571240
View attachment 571241

I had a mobile tech come out today to replace my arm rest and I watched him remove the vent and lower panels with a pry tool. After he put it all together, I realized that I should have just asked him to leave it off bc now I want to feed my Valentine 1 cord behind there and through the armrest hinge slot for a cleaner install (and prevent the lid from crushing the wire). Anyway, I tried to pull the vent off and it won't budge and I am terrified that I will break it. As far as you know, I literally just pull it towards the rear of the car and it pops off? Pretty sure that's what the mobile tech did, but I'd like to be sure before I destroy it.

 

[Gfong81]

I had a mobile tech come out today to replace my arm rest and I watched him remove the vent and lower panels with a pry tool. After he put it all together, I realized that I should have just asked him to leave it off bc now I want to feed my Valentine 1 cord behind there and through the armrest hinge slot for a cleaner install (and prevent the lid from crushing the wire). Anyway, I tried to pull the vent off and it won't budge and I am terrified that I will break it. As far as you know, I literally just pull it towards the rear of the car and it pops off? Pretty sure that's what the mobile tech did, but I'd like to be sure before I destroy it.

Do you recall how much the arm rest replacement cost? Looking to get one replaced. Thanks.

 

[m a x i m u s]

It was under warranty bc it was damaged during delivery. I have since bought one of those leather covers from RPMTesla. Looks great and it will protect it. And it’s nice to have a piece of actual leather in the car. Lol.

 

[gelip11@gmail.]

Hi all!

The latch broke on my armrest, and I haven't been able to access the console area for a few months. I finally got a new one delivered, but I have no idea how to remove the old one.

I've seen a lot of guides online that detail the removal of the center console and trim, but nothing specific to the arm rest. I am a little apprehensive blindly removing pieces of my newer, fairly expensive car. Can someone point me to a guide, or perhaps suggest an approach to getting the old arm rest swapped out?

Thanks!

Where did you order the arm rest from? Thanks

 

[gelip11@gmail.]

Hi all!

The latch broke on my armrest, and I haven't been able to access the console area for a few months. I finally got a new one delivered, but I have no idea how to remove the old one.

I've seen a lot of guides online that detail the removal of the center console and trim, but nothing specific to the arm rest. I am a little apprehensive blindly removing pieces of my newer, fairly expensive car. Can someone point me to a guide, or perhaps suggest an approach to getting the old arm rest swapped out?

Thanks!

Where did you order the armrest from?
Thanks

 

[Epeace156]

I had a mobile tech come out today to replace my arm rest and I watched him remove the vent and lower panels with a pry tool. After he put it all together, I realized that I should have just asked him to leave it off bc now I want to feed my Valentine 1 cord behind there and through the armrest hinge slot for a cleaner install (and prevent the lid from crushing the wire). Anyway, I tried to pull the vent off and it won't budge and I am terrified that I will break it. As far as you know, I literally just pull it towards the rear of the car and it pops off? Pretty sure that's what the mobile tech did, but I'd like to be sure before I destroy it.

We’re you ever able to do this? And have you noticed that the armrest won’t close all the way and the interior light does not power off because it thinks it’s open?

 

[m a x i m u s]

We’re you ever able to do this? And have you noticed that the armrest won’t close all the way and the interior light does not power off because it thinks it’s open?

I haven’t bothered to try it again, I just leave the cord as-is going in through the side of the lid. It closes all the way and havent noticed any issue with the light.

 

[beachmiles]

We’re you ever able to do this? And have you noticed that the armrest won’t close all the way and the interior light does not power off because it thinks it’s open?

I just removed my armrest and noticed the light on. I don't see any switch to turn it off when the armrest is closed so I suspect it is just always on when the car is on. When I close all the doors it turns off fairly fast though.
Man I hate this bulky armrest, I may get crazy and try and cut off the bracket and make my own 1/4 inch armrest pad instead of this 8 inch beast. Granted I am 6'4 and am looking for a more comfortable sitting position.

 

[MistaEV]

I had a mobile tech come out today to replace my arm rest and I watched him remove the vent and lower panels with a pry tool. After he put it all together, I realized that I should have just asked him to leave it off bc now I want to feed my Valentine 1 cord behind there and through the armrest hinge slot for a cleaner install (and prevent the lid from crushing the wire). Anyway, I tried to pull the vent off and it won't budge and I am terrified that I will break it. As far as you know, I literally just pull it towards the rear of the car and it pops off? Pretty sure that's what the mobile tech did, but I'd like to be sure before I destroy it.

This is an old post, for sure, however, did you have to buy the armrest in advance, or did they bring one and install it? Also, how do you get a mobile tech out? I tried going through the app but it did not appear that it was an option for me. Thanks!

 

[m a x i m u s]

This is an old post, for sure, however, did you have to buy the armrest in advance, or did they bring one and install it? Also, how do you get a mobile tech out? I tried going through the app but it did not appear that it was an option for me. Thanks!

Mine was a warranty claim so they brought it out. If you schedule service on the app, the SC will determine whether it’s mobile or you need to bring it in.

 

[Xuan Vien Do]

I just removed my armrest and noticed the light on. I don't see any switch to turn it off when the armrest is closed so I suspect it is just always on when the car is on. When I close all the doors it turns off fairly fast though.
Man I hate this bulky armrest, I may get crazy and try and cut off the bracket and make my own 1/4 inch armrest pad instead of this 8 inch beast. Granted I am 6'4 and am looking for a more comfortable sitting position.

Have you found a final solution? I'm also thinking about removing the armrest, but I would like something custom to cover the storage.

 

[sora2key]

Hi all!

The latch broke on my armrest, and I haven't been able to access the console area for a few months. I finally got a new one delivered, but I have no idea how to remove the old one.

I've seen a lot of guides online that detail the removal of the center console and trim, but nothing specific to the arm rest. I am a little apprehensive blindly removing pieces of my newer, fairly expensive car. Can someone point me to a guide, or perhaps suggest an approach to getting the old arm rest swapped out?

Thanks!

This is a basic quick fix I did. My latch was displaced, I think pulling it too hard upwards dislodged it from the sockets.

***please note this is at your own risk. I only did this as a last resort before buying a complete new arm rest. I am out of warranty and this fix would cost me most likely $300 out of pocket.

The arm rest pleather portion is glued onto the plastic bottom portion. You can see where the Squiggly S’s are formed, that is where the glue points are.

Luckily, I only got three or four of them unglued by pulling the parts apart well enough. Please be precise and deliberate. Pull apart hard enough to break the glue points, not too hard to break it apart too much. It is a little risky as it may potentially break a different point of the armrest if pulling too hard.

I used a long screw driver, and a wedge. A little bit of my fingers to adjust. Then I clicked the latch right in.

After, I placed the holding points near the Squiggly S by the latch lever into its place. It seems to be holding well and it is fortunately not droopy or anything out of place.

I hope this helped, I couldn’t find anything else or anywhere else who has tried this I guess.

-p.s. the photo 4762 has the sockets where the latch locks into.
The photo 4761 shows the Squiggly S point where it is glued together.
The photo 4760 shows the holding points or “plastic pins” that are near the latch lever.