DIY: Split Armrest Install

bimmernupe · 01-13-2008, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linus

I received only 1 as well. It works well with only 1. No problems. This thread has been great. Install should have taken me 15 minutes, but took me an hour because the gear fell out when I was installing the armrest and slipped into a tight little spot just behind where it should sit. Took me at least a half an hour to remove it with tweasers.

So here's a tip so this doesn't happen to anyone else. Once the gear is inserted properly and you're attempting to place the armrest in, HOLD the gear in place firmly with your finger. Trust me, you'll avoid a lot of aggravation.

This is one amazing mod. The cars really should come with this option in North America. The split armrest looks great, it functions well for my elbow and the spring and gear avoid the armrest slamming down.

Same thing happened to me. I had to use right-angled needle nose pliers to get mine out. I put a folder business card to ensure it would not fall back in. BIGGEST PITA

But the mod looks awesome!!!

linus · 01-13-2008, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmernupe07

Same thing happened to me. I had to use right-angled needle nose pliers to get mine out. I put a folder business card to ensure it would not fall back in. BIGGEST PITA

But the mod looks awesome!!!

After I posted my comment, I noticed you had mentioned this in your post as well. Sorry for the duplication. But perhaps others will recognize this pitfall clearly.

You're right. HUGE PITA. I spent the first 10 minutes looking for the freakin' gear thinking it fell down the ventilation duct. My wife, who watched a bit of my installation, was kind of chuckling and telling me that I should leave this type of $hit to the pros. After using her tweasers, I sure showed her.

txusa03 · 01-14-2008, 10:13 AM

I will admit that the armrest works great with 1 gear. But I have had the pleasure of experimenting with this and equally happy to report that the armrest works great without the gear (I see no difference in how the armrest open and close with that one gear).

I came to this conclusion because when I first received the items (spring and gear), I was not sure where the gear goes so I only installed the spring and been using the armrest daily with only the spring. Not until recently our helpful member (bimmernupe07) provided me some insight on where this gear should be installed did I go back and added the gear. Now with the gear added along with the spring, I still do not see a change in how it opens/closes.

I suspect that the gear is there to provide some sort of counter action on the tension of the spring to slow down the open movement of the armrest. The spring has too much tension that if you press on the open latch, the armrest will sling up with lots of forces (try it and you will know what I am talking about). With the gear, I thought it might counter the spring force but I was wrong. So that is where I thought maybe 2 of those gears will do the job to counter the tension on the spring.

Just my 2cents.

bimmernupe · 01-14-2008, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

I will admit that the armrest works great with 1 gear. But I have had the pleasure of experimenting with this and equally happy to report that the armrest works great without the gear (I see no difference in how the armrest open and close with that one gear).

I came to this conclusion because when I first received the items (spring and gear), I was not sure where the gear goes so I only installed the spring and been using the armrest daily with only the spring. Not until recently our great member (bimmernupe07) provided me some insight on where this gear should be installed did I go back and added the gear. Now with the gear added along with the spring, I still do not see a change in how it opens/closes.

I suspect that the gear is there to provide some sort of counter action on the tension of the spring to slow down the open movement of the armrest. The spring has too much tension that if you press on the open latch, the armrest will sling up with lots of forces (try it and you will know what I am talking about). With the gear, I thought it might counter the spring force but I was wrong. So that is where I thought maybe 2 of those gears will do the job to counter the tension on the spring.

Just my 2cents.

I'm not great, I'm just me...helpful

txusa03 · 01-14-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmernupe07

I'm not great, I'm just me...helpful

linus · 01-14-2008, 01:49 PM

Interesting. My gear actually has helped slow down the upward travel. The armrest does not zoom up, sort of just slowly finds its way there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

I will admit that the armrest works great with 1 gear. But I have had the pleasure of experimenting with this and equally happy to report that the armrest works great without the gear (I see no difference in how the armrest open and close with that one gear).

I came to this conclusion because when I first received the items (spring and gear), I was not sure where the gear goes so I only installed the spring and been using the armrest daily with only the spring. Not until recently our helpful member (bimmernupe07) provided me some insight on where this gear should be installed did I go back and added the gear. Now with the gear added along with the spring, I still do not see a change in how it opens/closes.

I suspect that the gear is there to provide some sort of counter action on the tension of the spring to slow down the open movement of the armrest. The spring has too much tension that if you press on the open latch, the armrest will sling up with lots of forces (try it and you will know what I am talking about). With the gear, I thought it might counter the spring force but I was wrong. So that is where I thought maybe 2 of those gears will do the job to counter the tension on the spring.

Just my 2cents.

txusa03 · 01-15-2008, 08:32 AM

linus, I do not have the split armrest. Based on your comment about your split armrest not zooming upward when opened, I suspect that the split armrest is a bit heavier then the non-split armrest. I was fortunate enough to get my hand on the spring and gear alone so I installed it on my car with the non-split armrest.

Hope that helps clear thing up abit.

Vyruz Reaper · 01-16-2008, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

linus, I do not have the split armrest. Based on your comment about your split armrest not zooming upward when opened, I suspect that the split armrest is a bit heavier then the non-split armrest. I was fortunate enough to get my hand on the spring and gear alone so I installed it on my car with the non-split armrest.

Hope that helps clear thing up abit.

ok i called my bmw dealer to buy but they couldnt for me.... does anyone know where i can buy it... i noticed Skiddy is from the BAy Area too... which dealer did u use? did u already install yours?

thanks

Skiddy_ys · 01-16-2008, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vyruz Reaper

ok i called my bmw dealer to buy but they couldnt for me.... does anyone know where i can buy it... i noticed Skiddy is from the BAy Area too... which dealer did u use? did u already install yours?

thanks

I ordered mine from Brian at Rahal BMW (http://www.bobbyrahalbmw.com/parts_center.htm) They had to order it from Germany. Apparently, there is only had 6 left in the color that I needed. Ordered from them on recommendation... good price, no Sales Tax, and it included S&H. I haven't installed it yet as I'm still waiting on delivery.

HTH

hkj · 01-17-2008, 01:18 AM

+1 for Brian at Bobby Rahal. I ordered mine through him over a year ago. (called me to verify the color etc and answered my question) Very helpful guy and prompt shipping.

-hkj

linus · 01-17-2008, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by txusa03

linus, I do not have the split armrest. Based on your comment about your split armrest not zooming upward when opened, I suspect that the split armrest is a bit heavier then the non-split armrest. I was fortunate enough to get my hand on the spring and gear alone so I installed it on my car with the non-split armrest.

Hope that helps clear thing up abit.

I can only imagine then, what the slam down must be like for the split armrest without the spring...

Vyruz Reaper · 01-21-2008, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skiddy_ys

I ordered mine from Brian at Rahal BMW (http://www.bobbyrahalbmw.com/parts_center.htm) They had to order it from Germany. Apparently, there is only had 6 left in the color that I needed. Ordered from them on recommendation... good price, no Sales Tax, and it included S&H. I haven't installed it yet as I'm still waiting on delivery.

HTH

r u gonna install yourself? im going to call them otmorrow to see what they say

Skiddy_ys · 01-21-2008, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vyruz Reaper

r u gonna install yourself? im going to call them otmorrow to see what they say

Yes, will do the install myself... see all the previous threads. It has been very well documented on how to do it.

Skiddy_ys · 01-24-2008, 10:11 PM

I thought I would just "close the loop" and including a few of shots of my newly fitted Split Center Armrest.

As others will testify, setting the spring was a pig to do

however I thought fitting the gear was rather painless!

All in all, I'm very happy with the way it looks, and the most important reasons were to give me that extra room and not to have the top slam down all the time!

bimmernupe · 01-24-2008, 11:04 PM

Looks good skiddy

EHDEN · 01-25-2008, 11:25 AM

that's some sick mod!

BMW2Hart · 01-25-2008, 01:29 PM

Last week - I got a loaner (528) for a day that had the split center arm

rest. Very comfortable. I'm in the market. Got a black interior. Any good

prices out there? Let me know. Thanks

bimmernupe · 01-25-2008, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW2Hart

Last week - I got a loaner (528) for a day that had the split center arm

rest. Very comfortable. I'm in the market. Got a black interior. Any good

prices out there? Let me know. Thanks

People here have purchased from either Tischer or Rahal. Pricing has been in the 234 to 250 range. When you call tell them what you are looking for and they will tell what the part numbers for your color would be and it may need to come from Germany.

furui · 02-02-2008, 04:15 AM

Anyone know the part number for the Jade Gray split armrest? Seen here (ripped from the Jade Gray interior thread):

Name: Jade Grey Interior pics 2.jpg
Views: 2508
Size: 57.6 KB

Name: Jade Grey Interior pics 2.jpg
Views: 2508
Size: 57.6 KB

Before anyone says anything, that is Jade Gray in an E92 and not Lemon.

furui · 02-03-2008, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by furui

Anyone know the part number for the Jade Gray split armrest? Seen here (ripped from the Jade Gray interior thread):

Never mind, it is 51166965747.

ucla1995 · 02-07-2008, 10:21 AM

Is the part number for the E93 split armrest different than the E92 because of the Sun-Reflective leather? Anyone have the part number? (it's not on realoem.com)

txusa03 · 02-07-2008, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ucla1995

Is the part number for the E93 split armrest different than the E92 because of the Sun-Reflective leather? Anyone have the part number? (it's not on realoem.com)

idk, but if you pm Jason or Evan @Tischer and give them your VIN#, they will tell you exactly what the part number is. GL.

01-14-2008, 10:13 AM	#135
txusa03 Major General 577 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	I will admit that the armrest works great with 1 gear. But I have had the pleasure of experimenting with this and equally happy to report that the armrest works great without the gear (I see no difference in how the armrest open and close with that one gear). I came to this conclusion because when I first received the items (spring and gear), I was not sure where the gear goes so I only installed the spring and been using the armrest daily with only the spring. Not until recently our helpful member (bimmernupe07) provided me some insight on where this gear should be installed did I go back and added the gear. Now with the gear added along with the spring, I still do not see a change in how it opens/closes. I suspect that the gear is there to provide some sort of counter action on the tension of the spring to slow down the open movement of the armrest. The spring has too much tension that if you press on the open latch, the armrest will sling up with lots of forces (try it and you will know what I am talking about). With the gear, I thought it might counter the spring force but I was wrong. So that is where I thought maybe 2 of those gears will do the job to counter the tension on the spring. Just my 2cents. __________________ under construction! Last edited by txusa03; 01-14-2008 at 10:35 AM..
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01-15-2008, 08:32 AM	#139
txusa03 Major General 577 Rep 6,563 Posts Drives: TS330iPPSP6MT Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (3)	linus, I do not have the split armrest. Based on your comment about your split armrest not zooming upward when opened, I suspect that the split armrest is a bit heavier then the non-split armrest. I was fortunate enough to get my hand on the spring and gear alone so I installed it on my car with the non-split armrest. Hope that helps clear thing up abit. __________________ under construction!
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01-17-2008, 01:18 AM	#142
hkj Major 64 Rep 1,205 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	+1 for Brian at Bobby Rahal. I ordered mine through him over a year ago. (called me to verify the color etc and answered my question) Very helpful guy and prompt shipping. -hkj
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01-24-2008, 10:11 PM	#146
Skiddy_ys New Member 0 Rep 22 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Convertible Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Area iTrader: (0)	I thought I would just "close the loop" and including a few of shots of my newly fitted Split Center Armrest. As others will testify, setting the spring was a pig to do however I thought fitting the gear was rather painless! All in all, I'm very happy with the way it looks, and the most important reasons were to give me that extra room and not to have the top slam down all the time! Attached Images __________________ 335 Convertible \| Space Gray \| Creme/Beige \| Dark Burl \| Step \| Sport \| Premium \| Cold Weather \| Comfort \| PDC \| 6FL (iPod) ED Pickup: August 21, 2007, ED Drop-off: September 6, 2007, Redelivery: October 26, 2007 Last edited by Skiddy_ys; 01-24-2008 at 10:28 PM..
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01-24-2008, 11:04 PM	#147
bimmernupe Captain 67 Rep 935 Posts Drives: 08 E92 335i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: N. Va via DC (college) via NJ iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00]	Looks good skiddy __________________ MY FAMOUS INDEPTH ED TRIP REPORTED Welt 27.10.07 l Drop-Off Bremerhaven 05.11.07 l Port NJ 26.11.07 l PCD 21.12.07 2008 E92 335i Barbera Red l Saddle Brown l Aluminum Trim l ZSP l ZCW l ZPP l CA l Nav l HD Radio l 6MT l PDC l 6FL
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01-25-2008, 11:25 AM	#148
EHDEN Brigadier General 405 Rep 3,893 Posts Drives: 435i Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Miami, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW 435i [7.00]	that's some sick mod! __________________
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01-25-2008, 01:29 PM	#149
BMW2Hart Sparkling Graphite Metallic 12 Rep 109 Posts Drives: '06 E90 325i, Sport, Type 161 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Georgia, USA iTrader: (0)	Last week - I got a loaner (528) for a day that had the split center arm rest. Very comfortable. I'm in the market. Got a black interior. Any good prices out there? Let me know. Thanks __________________ Prod Date: 6-01-05 \| N52 \| E90 \| 325i \| Sparkling Graphite \| ZSP \| Burl Walnut Interior Trim \| STEPTRONIC Trans \| Type 161 \| Dual Power Adjusters Mods - Tint: 30% All Around HP Charcoal Solar Gard \| Chrome Tips \| afe Air Filter \| Bridgestone Potenza RE 760 Sport
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02-02-2008, 04:15 AM	#151
furui New Member 2 Rep 25 Posts Drives: 1999 Z3 2.3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Sunnyvale, CA iTrader: (0)	Anyone know the part number for the Jade Gray split armrest? Seen here (ripped from the Jade Gray interior thread): Before anyone says anything, that is Jade Gray in an E92 and not Lemon.
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02-07-2008, 10:21 AM	#153
ucla1995 Slow and low 64 Rep 636 Posts Drives: M5 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (2)	Is the part number for the E93 split armrest different than the E92 because of the Sun-Reflective leather? Anyone have the part number? (it's not on realoem.com)
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