Broken cupholder arm replacements

[Bufort]

Has anybody else had this happen? Is anybody interested in replacement arms (rather than replacing the whole unit for £50+) ?

 

[Jfgoldfish]

Replacement arms can be 3d printed as longs as you still have the little springs and metal part.
The springs fell out of mine and are long gone but files for replacement arms are readily available online.

 

[Jfgoldfish]

I can always print and post to you when I buy more black filament.

 

[Bufort]

Replacement arms can be 3d printed as longs as you still have the little springs and metal part.
The springs fell out of mine and are long gone but files for replacement arms are readily available online.

Thats precisely what i've done. To be honest I didn't even think about searching for one online, so I've just finished making my own. I was asking in case anybody else needed one and they weren't already aware of any replacements.

 

[Mr Tidy]

That's a great job OP.

I'm sure others are going to need them from time to time! :roll:

 

[Bufort]

That's a great job OP.

I'm sure others are going to need them from time to time! :roll:

Thanks. I've since seen the article about how to install the other one thats around, but I chose to make mine slide in because I couldn't see how to remove that pin, so mine's a bit easier to install too.

If anybody wants one, gimme a shout.

 

[Needanothercoupe]

That’s clever, my passenger cup holder isn’t working I have not tried prizing it out yet but I will and then see what’s occurring

 

[Jfgoldfish]

Thats precisely what i've done.

Serves me right for skim reading!
Very nice work
I would like to try your design if you are happy to share it?
The one that I printed had a very thin wall in the area that the sprung piece inserts into. It wouldn't last long. I am hoping to source some suitable little springs to fix mine soon.

 

[Bufort]

I would like to try your design if you are happy to share it?
The one that I printed had a very thin wall in the area that the sprung piece inserts into. It wouldn't last long. I am hoping to source some suitable little springs to fix mine soon.

Sure, give me your email address and i'll send you the STL. I completely left out that section the spring sits in; it doesn't really need it (plus with my slide-in design it wouldn't be possible anyway). The whole arm is secure on that axle though, and sits on top of the spring with no interference. You insert the spring loaded section into the arm, push the arm through the gap, then pull it back so the axle moves into the slot (with a nice reassuring click). Then you can pull the spring back and insert it into the hole. If the arm is slightly in the way when closing the cupholder, the axle hasn't fully clicked into position.

I printed it with 2 walls and 30% infill; plenty strong enough. The only problem I had was (printing it correct way up) the slot for the spring loaded section to slide into; the roof inside there isn't perfectly smooth due to the supports, so I had to get my soldering iron out and very quickly smooth it. I used tree supports too so the support was easy to remove.

 

[kis]

I chose to make mine slide in because I couldn't see how to remove that pin

Does the arm "sliding in" not cause a potential problem for it to slip out?

 

[Bufort]

I chose to make mine slide in because I couldn't see how to remove that pin

Does the arm "sliding in" not cause a potential problem for it to slip out?

Nope, two reasons: The slot it goes through into the hole is slightly narrower, which is why it clicks into position, and secondly the spring loaded section is pushing against it from the other side, holding it in position.

 

[kis]

Makes sense. Are these universal? i.e. will the unit fit both left and right cupholders? Your photo seems like it may be. But the screen shot looks like it isn't?
Assuming it isn't universal, do you think it would be possible to make one?

 

[Jfgoldfish]

Sure, give me your email address and i'll send you the STL

I have pmed you
The spring I have lost is the one for the sprung piece as well as the metal sprung piece and accosiated spring.
All the little bits must be somewhere behind the dash!
I will hopefully be able to fashion something that works.

 

[Jfgoldfish]

Makes sense. Are these universal?

The design could be mirrored to print one for the passenger side.

 

[Bufort]

Makes sense. Are these universal? i.e. will the unit fit both left and right cupholders? Your photo seems like it may be. But the screen shot looks like it isn't?
Assuming it isn't universal, do you think it would be possible to make one?

The one pictured is right hand side, but it's an exact mirror of the left. I printed both and both are installed and working. If anybody wants one, I can send you the file for free or I can print and post one for the price of postage. These parts cost about 15p and 1hr to print, so I'll send you a pack of two left and two right just in case.

 

[Nick2449]

I'm in the same boat as Jfgoldfish, if I could trouble you for the same solution that would be great? Ill PM you.

Regards

Nick

 

[Jfgoldfish]

All fixed

Thank you Bufort.
Although I didn't end up using your design, you did inspire me to take the silly thing apart again to have another go at fixing it!

I ended up using one of the arms I had previously printed from a chap on thingiverse. Printed in a nice black ABS that doesnt look too out of place. That design does require you to remove the pin by drilling a 1mm hole in the plastic and using a thin rod to push the pin out.
I replaced the lost springs with spring pins I had in my watch repair box and fashioned a new little plunger from bits I pinched from a ball point pen!
It works perfectly, just like new. Very happy.

 

[Bufort]

All fixed

Thank you Bufort.
Although I didn't end up using your design, you did inspire me to take the silly thing apart again to have another go at fixing it!

I ended up using one of the arms I had previously printed from a chap on thingiverse. Printed in a nice black ABS that doesnt look too out of place. That design does require you to remove the pin by drilling a 1mm hole in the plastic and using a thin rod to push the pin out.
I replaced the lost springs with spring pins I had in my watch repair box and fashioned a new little plunger from bits I pinched from a ball point pen!
It works perfectly, just like new. Very happy.

The A Team here!

 

[Nick2449]

Thank you to Bufort, great job, fixed my cup holder tonight, all working well.