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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

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BeardyJon
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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by BeardyJon » Thu May 13, 2021 10:20 am

So as the title of the thread says, i was a little heavy handed closing the armrest and the retaining pin broke so i now cant close it.

I’m looking for ideas of what the best and least expensive way to replace this is, as i know that in order to replace the armrest, you need an entire new centre console which just seems so overkill for a small pin. I really wish the armrest was removable on its own!

Im going to try investigate prying the existing pin out with some trim removal tools, but has anyone had this problem and found an easy fix?
2012 E89 sDrive20i M Sport Celtic Tuning Stage 3 Remap
2008 E86 Z4 M Sport 2.0i - Gone
2003 E46 316ti M Sport - Gone

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BeardyJon
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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by BeardyJon » Mon May 17, 2021 4:32 pm

Anyone?

I’ve had a good look and attempted to separate the leather arm rest upper portion from the plastic underneath and its such a close fit i cant get any of the trim removal tools between them and im nervous im gonna butcher the lot and make it worse.

I thought i might be able to buy a cabinet roller catch and fit that in place of the broken plastic one, but im not gonna be able to get it fit in place. Only thing i can think of is cutting the broken plastic pin off with a dremel and glueing/screwing a new pin in, which seems a bit janky.

Any suggestions are welcome!
2012 E89 sDrive20i M Sport Celtic Tuning Stage 3 Remap
2008 E86 Z4 M Sport 2.0i - Gone
2003 E46 316ti M Sport - Gone

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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by flybobbie » Mon May 17, 2021 6:55 pm

Could you glue some magnets in place. There are various types, some like pennies, some like polo mints.
Might not stop it sliding sideways though.

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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by Jasonn » Mon May 17, 2021 8:03 pm

I'd be tempted to try epoxy resin and sand it smooth after to tidy it up

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BeardyJon
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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by BeardyJon » Thu May 27, 2021 8:18 pm

Can anyone please share a photo of the armrest closure clip when it's open? I've bought some epoxy putty to try mould a new one but just need a reference photo of an original closure to model one from. Just to give an idea of how big to make it. Also, if anyone wants to be extra kind, some guide measurements would be SUPER useful. Thanks!
2012 E89 sDrive20i M Sport Celtic Tuning Stage 3 Remap
2008 E86 Z4 M Sport 2.0i - Gone
2003 E46 316ti M Sport - Gone

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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by Jasonn » Fri May 28, 2021 11:25 am

I've taken a couple of pics but they're not attaching by phone, I'll try and use my home pc later

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BeardyJon
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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by BeardyJon » Fri May 28, 2021 11:33 am

Thanks so much!
2012 E89 sDrive20i M Sport Celtic Tuning Stage 3 Remap
2008 E86 Z4 M Sport 2.0i - Gone
2003 E46 316ti M Sport - Gone

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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by Smartbear » Fri May 28, 2021 3:24 pm

BeardyJon wrote: Thu May 27, 2021 8:18 pm Can anyone please share a photo of the armrest closure clip when it's open? I've bought some epoxy putty to try mould a new one but just need a reference photo of an original closure to model one from. Just to give an idea of how big to make it. Also, if anyone wants to be extra kind, some guide measurements would be SUPER useful. Thanks!
Bit difficult to place a tape measure accurately but should give you an idea
39EC3271-896D-4DBD-9407-6286D36035DB.jpeg
39EC3271-896D-4DBD-9407-6286D36035DB.jpeg (81.81 KiB) Viewed 1429 times
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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by Pondrew » Fri May 28, 2021 4:13 pm

This is the only latch replacement I can think of, but might be a struggle to fit flush. Could possibly file to fit the existing locating part?
https://www.screwfix.com/p/carlisle-bra ... 12mm/2026p
If not, as said, magnets. Again anything is gonna be difficult to get to sit flush.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.

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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by Smartbear » Fri May 28, 2021 4:18 pm

Pondrew wrote: Fri May 28, 2021 4:13 pm This is the only latch replacement I can think of, but might be a struggle to fit flush. Could possibly file to fit the existing locating part?
https://www.screwfix.com/p/carlisle-bra ... 12mm/2026p
If not, as said, magnets. Again anything is gonna be difficult to get to sit flush.
I suppose a hole could be drilled for a round magnet to sit flush, held in with araldite etc?
Rob
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e89 Sdrive 20i, plenty of mumbo & good economy-the thinking bears z4
e89 Sdrive 30i, this ones busted, pass me another...
e85 3.0si sold

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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by Pondrew » Fri May 28, 2021 4:57 pm

Smartbear wrote: Fri May 28, 2021 4:18 pm I suppose a hole could be drilled for a round magnet to sit flush, held in with araldite etc?
I think I would use velcro :D
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.

F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!

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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by Jasonn » Fri May 28, 2021 6:43 pm

I'll try and take some measurements if that would help
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BeardyJon
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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by BeardyJon » Sat May 29, 2021 9:43 am

Thanks a lot for the photos! Its no wonder it broke off! Much more delicate than I thought it would be. I'll give it a shot with the Epoxy Putty and update with photos when it's done.
2012 E89 sDrive20i M Sport Celtic Tuning Stage 3 Remap
2008 E86 Z4 M Sport 2.0i - Gone
2003 E46 316ti M Sport - Gone

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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by flybobbie » Sat May 29, 2021 7:11 pm

Wilko have some cupboard latches with rollers and the wedge shape, that might fit. Wedge is sort of spring steel with two screw holes.
This sort of thing;
https://www.diydirect.com/double-roller ... FwQAvD_BwE
Or make your own wedge.

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I broke the retaining pin on my arm rest - how best to fix it?

Post by TeeMac » Fri Jun 04, 2021 12:58 pm

Good luck with the fix, OP.

I had the same trouble and used magnets. The lid closes securely and opens with about the same pressure as before.

I used 15mm x 1mm adhesive magnets, a stack of 4 or 5 in the storage recess and one on the lid which gives a flush fit. You need a packet of both north sided and south sided for it to work, and you an get them here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Magnet-Expert% ... 4f2e1370d4

If you ever get a replacement lid from BMW or breakers it's easy enough to remove the magnets. Meantime, you'll quickly forget they're there.

Hope that's helpful

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