How To: Reinforce Extended Armrest

ender18d · 09-17-2006, 10:23 AM

OK, ok, its not anything big or difficult... But the fact that my armrest felt flimsy, and that the clip would pop off when I leaned on it too much was really bugging me. So today, I sat down and figured out a way to improve this part without having to trade out to the non-extended version.

You need:
Phillips screwdriver
Power Drill
A knife for trimming plastic
A wood screw
Two small furniture shelf supports
Super Glue

Step one: Remove the two screws at base of the bottom armrest, and remove unit from car.

Step two: Unscrew all screws on the bottom of the top portion of the armrest, removing the vinyl cover from the top portion. This also means removing the two screws that connect the top and bottom portion.

Step three: You can see that there is a depression surrounding the clip assembly, and when the lid is closed, there is still a sizable gap between the top and bottom portions in this depression. We are going to use the shelf stays to fill in that gap, reducing the side-to-side play available to the top of the armrest.

Step four: Before drilling, I used the wood screw to create a starter hole in my exact desired locations. You can see that the driver's side is a tight fit between the clip assembly and the screw well!

Step five: Drill the holes with a bit JUST large enough to snugly fit the ands of the shelf stays. 13/64" worked for me.

Step six: Trim the shelf stays as needed to fit perfectly into their locations, and then test the fit by inserting them into their holes. Try partially reassembling the armrest to test the fit. There should be MUCH less play now.

Step seven: When you are sure all fits as desired, glue the shelf stays in place, then reassemble.

EDIT: This is for an 04... Maybe 05. The 06 armrests I saw were a bit different.

***reeksti*** · 09-17-2006, 10:45 AM

wow nice write-ip

HKS whore · 09-18-2006, 04:12 PM

yea prett good write up ... so u not sellin it ?

ender18d · 09-18-2006, 04:42 PM

Now that I fixed it so it doesn't feel so darn flimsy, I'm not looking to get rid of it.

HKS whore · 09-18-2006, 04:48 PM

^^ aiggt

09-17-2006, 10:23 AM	#1
ender18d STI Driver Car: 04 WRB STi Fav Mod: Protune Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 263 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	How To: Reinforce Extended Armrest OK, ok, its not anything big or difficult... But the fact that my armrest felt flimsy, and that the clip would pop off when I leaned on it too much was really bugging me. So today, I sat down and figured out a way to improve this part without having to trade out to the non-extended version. You need: Phillips screwdriver Power Drill A knife for trimming plastic A wood screw Two small furniture shelf supports Super Glue Step one: Remove the two screws at base of the bottom armrest, and remove unit from car. Step two: Unscrew all screws on the bottom of the top portion of the armrest, removing the vinyl cover from the top portion. This also means removing the two screws that connect the top and bottom portion. Step three: You can see that there is a depression surrounding the clip assembly, and when the lid is closed, there is still a sizable gap between the top and bottom portions in this depression. We are going to use the shelf stays to fill in that gap, reducing the side-to-side play available to the top of the armrest. Step four: Before drilling, I used the wood screw to create a starter hole in my exact desired locations. You can see that the driver's side is a tight fit between the clip assembly and the screw well! Step five: Drill the holes with a bit JUST large enough to snugly fit the ands of the shelf stays. 13/64" worked for me. Step six: Trim the shelf stays as needed to fit perfectly into their locations, and then test the fit by inserting them into their holes. Try partially reassembling the armrest to test the fit. There should be MUCH less play now. Step seven: When you are sure all fits as desired, glue the shelf stays in place, then reassemble. EDIT: This is for an 04... Maybe 05. The 06 armrests I saw were a bit different. This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by ender18d : 09-17-2006 at 10:49 AM.

09-18-2006, 04:48 PM	#5
HKS whore Banned Car: R.I.P WRB 06 STi Fav Mod: ~ HKS Ti ~ Location: NEW JERSEY Posts: 1,242 Join Date: May 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	^^ aiggt This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

09-17-2006, 10:45 AM	#2
*reeksti* Friendlys Suby Car: 06 CGM/Emotions Fav Mod: M&J Modified Location: Bensalem, PA Posts: 7,119 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (9)	wow nice write-ip

09-18-2006, 04:12 PM	#3
HKS whore Banned Car: R.I.P WRB 06 STi Fav Mod: ~ HKS Ti ~ Location: NEW JERSEY Posts: 1,242 Join Date: May 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	yea prett good write up ... so u not sellin it ?

09-18-2006, 04:42 PM	#4
ender18d STI Driver Car: 04 WRB STi Fav Mod: Protune Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 263 Join Date: Jan 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	Now that I fixed it so it doesn't feel so darn flimsy, I'm not looking to get rid of it.