[BMWE934me]

I felt there was too much oyster color for me when I looked across the car. Since the lower part of the center console is black, it just seemed like a perfect split of color down the center.

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The first thing I did, was grasp the short cover with my index and middle fingers. I pressed inward and pulled back at the same time to remove it.
Next I sprayed some penetrating oil on the spots indicated and let it soak in while I worked on the spring. I removed some tension from the spring by lifting the armrest cover back as far as I could while still being able to use a large flat head screwdriver to release the bottom center of the spring from the two prongs that hold it in place.
I used a punch and a hammer to push the pins from the inside to the outside far enough to dislodge the perforated ends out. Then I used vice grips to pull them fully out.
Then I raised the armrest up to remove the spring. Once the spring was out, there was a gear pressed in on the right side arm that needed to be removed before lifting the lid off.

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To reinstall the new one, place the new armrest in, install the small sprocket gear on the right side, install the spring and the rest goes in reverse order. Once the cover is reinstalled, you can admire your work.

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Sometimes it's just the small details that matter.

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