[elfhearse]

*Definitely release the spring tension before you try to tap out the two shafts.
Push the center straight portion of the spring forward to release it from the two black plastic tabs...it will pop up and relax tension on the bars.

*Another note: the plastic "friction" gear should be removed before you lift out the old armrest. Reach behind the gear with your left finger and hold the back, reach on the other, gear side (passenger side) and press on the small tab that is holding the gear on the armrest frame...push in and the gear should fall back (towards driver side) and you can pull it out with your left hand towards rear of car.
The plastic gear should be the last step in the re-installation process. Reach in and re-install, reverse procedure from above description.

[sleepyx637]

This might be helpful:

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[akack79]

The video DIY in below thread helped tremendously:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showth...highlight=euro

[chuckee98]

Just finished this modification / replacement and had a couple of comments that will help others planning to do so. The video DIY from ECS helped tremendously, and replacing the damper / friction gear AFTER placing the armrest in place was SIGNIFICANTLY easier. In addition, here's what I did:

Getting the pins out was not as easy as it was shown because every time I pushed on the pin end, the opposite end would flex. I used a large pair of channel lock pliers to push the pins out - one side on the pin end, the other on the opposite side of the hinge bracket. This made it easy, then I grabbed the end of the pins with the needle nose pliers as shown, and pulled them out. Using the channel locks to tighten the pins was just as easy.

Also of importance - I ended up using BOTH damper / friction gears, one on each side. This made a big difference in my case of how slowly / smoothly the armrest rose up when released. I ended up adding the second gear after I buttoned everything up, as I was not thrilled on how the armrest would pop up quickly when released. To do this, I just put some tape on a flat head screwdriver, sticky side out, and stuck the gear to it. I then carefully positioned the screwdriver tip and gear over the spring / pin assembly, and pushed the gear into place. No drama.

[Zombie23]

you saved my arm's life!!
thnxs

[Thumperx]

sleepyx637 , I bought my split arm rest before the video was posted. The video save significant amount time. Much thanks!

Anthony

[WilkesE90]

Those damn metal rods won't come out for me! Had to take a break, it was getting hot in the garage trying to force those stupid things out of their groove!

[sleepyx637]

Originally Posted by Thumperx

sleepyx637 , I bought my split arm rest before the video was posted. The video save significant amount time. Much thanks!

Anthony

Happy to help!

Originally Posted by WilkesE90

Those damn metal rods won't come out for me! Had to take a break, it was getting hot in the garage trying to force those stupid things out of their groove!

Spray some lube (jig-a-loo, wd-40, etc) near the hole (preferably with a straw to try and get some into the hole). After I did that, it only took about a minute to get it out (took me about 30min on the first one, the second one took about 1 minute with the lube).

[WilkesE90]

Originally Posted by sleepyx637

Happy to help!



Spray some lube (jig-a-loo, wd-40, etc) near the hole (preferably with a straw to try and get some into the hole). After I did that, it only took about a minute to get it out (took me about 30min on the first one, the second one took about 1 minute with the lube).

I used some PB Blaster and it worked like a charm, thanks man!

[Bimmerforlife]

Does anyone know if this split armrest install will fit on a 2011 sedan?

Did they change something in 2011, the video of this being installed looks like a coupe model and was wondering if it will work on a sedan.

Anyone with a 2011 sedan install this and know if the installation would be same for 2006-2011 sedan?

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by Bimmerforlife

Does anyone know if this split armrest install will fit on a 2011 sedan?

Did they change something in 2011, the video of this being installed looks like a coupe model and was wondering if it will work on a sedan.

Anyone with a 2011 sedan install this and know if the installation would be same for 2006-2011 sedan?

I know that you specifically said "sedan", but the one from my '07 coupe fit my '11 perfectly and without a single change in installation, even though the inside is different (no cool/heat). I would think that they didn't change the sedan's either but am not 100% positive

I guess that didn't help you though.

[Bimmerforlife]

So I ordered the split armrest from Tischer, and when my car finally came in, my CA had it installed for me no charge at delivery, I really like how it looks and it works great with iDrive.

[Amlethae]

I'm having a bastard of a time getting the stock pins out... the plastic on the sides that they the grooved sides go into just bends out, the pins aren't really budging. Any tips? It's on a 2011 E90 btw.

[chuckee98]

Originally Posted by Amlethae

I'm having a bastard of a time getting the stock pins out... the plastic on the sides that they the grooved sides go into just bends out, the pins aren't really budging. Any tips? It's on a 2011 E90 btw.

Try this:

Originally Posted by chuckee98

Getting the pins out was not as easy as it was shown because every time I pushed on the pin end, the opposite end would flex. I used a large pair of channel lock pliers to push the pins out - one side on the pin end, the other on the opposite side of the hinge bracket. This made it easy, then I grabbed the end of the pins with the needle nose pliers as shown, and pulled them out. Using the channel locks to tighten the pins was just as easy.

[sleepyx637]

Originally Posted by Amlethae

I'm having a bastard of a time getting the stock pins out... the plastic on the sides that they the grooved sides go into just bends out, the pins aren't really budging. Any tips? It's on a 2011 E90 btw.

did you spray it with lube, as mentioned about 5 posts up?

[bimmerque]

Nice Bro! Clean...

[woodpecka]

Nice DIY.

Removing the e90 trim and pin wasn't easy. I have use a screwdriver to release the clips.

There is the instruction from the BMW TIS

[rote]

Successful install. Thanks everyone, especially SedanClan and im0y (post #68). Thanks to you, knew how to install the spring.

[theblotted]

i ordered a split armrest from ECS Tuning.. but since my '07 e92 is gray, it didn't come with the gear, pins and spring. i tried calling ECS to sell me just the gear and spring, but they don't sell it separately (in fact, they transferred me 3 times and then just hung up on me even though i was asking politely? very rude )...

anybody here know where i can buy the gear/spring separate? or wanna sell me yours?

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by theblotted

i ordered a split armrest from ECS Tuning.. but since my '07 e92 is gray, it didn't come with the gear, pins and spring. i tried calling ECS to sell me just the gear and spring, but they don't sell it separately (in fact, they transferred me 3 times and then just hung up on me even though i was asking politely? very rude )...

anybody here know where i can buy the gear/spring separate? or wanna sell me yours?

I had an '07 without the spring too. When I ordered my split armrest from the dealer it included the spring and the gear. You absolutely need them for the added weight of the armrest. I usually like ECS, but it looks like this time they dropped the ball with you.

[theblotted]

called ECS again, and they finally got the spring. so i ordered it. but the spring is like $5.xx, but the shipping is $10.xx...?? whatev, better to have it than a split armrest that slams down.

but they still don't sell the gear separately tho. gonna try it without (like txusa03); but if anybody's got an extra... lmk thx.

[littleE92]

I spent 30 minutes trying to nudge the rods out, pushing from the inside with a needle nose and pushing the outwards tab that keeps flexing with a flathead to stop the flex...Gave up and sprayed PB Blaster to soak it for 10 minutes.

Came back and did the same thing as before, push from inside with needle nose and prevent flex by pushing inwards with a flathead. The rod nearly came flying out for both sides...

USE LUBE FOLKS!!!

Also I could not load the spring back with the cover down and closed, it was too hard. So I lifted the cover open halfway, and stuck a tissue box in between to hold it half open. Loaded the spring EASILY with the cover half open.