Centre Armrest help

[Newbmw]

We'll today I was cleaning inside of car I pulled up the middle arm rest to clean all the spilt sugar out of cup holders I was leaning on the rear of armrest and heard a crack oh no I can see the problem I caused the armrest still opens and closes but not as smooth as usual due to I can see a shinny pin missing on the side which connects each side can I take this rear section apart to see if pin has fallen down or any advice how to strip it to investigate be grateful below I'm pointing to wear the pin is missing compaired to other side

 

[Newbmw]

Bump

 

[Smartbear]

How annoying I'd wave around one of those telescopic magnet things down the sides of the seats etc (after I'd proved the pin was magnetic)
Could you insert a pin of the same diameter (like a roll pin?) it could get you out of trouble.
Rob

 

[Maniac]

From the pic it looks like you've not only lost the pin but have snapped the plastic that would hold it?

 

[Nictrix]

We have a similar problem with ours but it has never been leaned on and the pin that looks missing in yours is still present in ours but one side seems to sag as if there is something missing.
The only thing I can think of on ours is one of the small cogs that run in the larger cog seems missing from one side.
Is there supposed to be a small cog on either side?
RealOem doesn't show any of this very well and not sure if individual parts can be bought.

 

[BMWZ4sailor]

I'm new to the z4 forum. I have a 2011 z4 with a similar problem. There are two pins that hold the console lid onto the console. I plan to reinstall the pins, after I replace one of the small gears that clips into my console lid. One of the small gears is broken resulting in rough opening and closing of the lid. The BMW dealer says they do not sell the small gears. Does anyone know where I can find one? Help!

 

[Nictrix]

I finally found time to sort this out on our car.
Cant believe I left it for over a year before tackling it.
To fix this the whole centre console has to come out. It is quite easy to do but just time consuming. There is only 2 nuts, 2 torx screws and an allen bolt holding the centre console in place after the trim at the rear and centre console trim is removed. There is however quite a lot of wiring that needs disconnecting and clips removed from the console before removing.
The only reason the whole console needs to come out is because the trim that covers where the pins are is screwed on from underneath.
Once its out and the plastic housing is undone that covers the pins I found this

One pin was out completely and the other was making its way out.
I searched the whole of the car and although there seems to be a space on the right side of the hinge for a small gear there was none to be found so I can only imagine that it only needs one on one side to operate.
I pushed the pins back into place and job done. Pic of how it should look.

The pics are a bit blurry but there is a knurled part on the pin which should be pressed into the plastic to secure it. Maybe this wasnt right from the factory or just isnt a tight fit and worked its way out.

 

[Busterboo]

And someone designed this? :headbang:

 

[bob20124]

Could you PM or post details on how to remove the console (Got the 2 nuts under rear trim piece). I'm in the same boat (both pins backed out).

Thanks

 

[Nictrix]

Could you PM or post details on how to remove the console (Got the 2 nuts under rear trim piece). I'm in the same boat (both pins backed out).

Thanks

At the front of the console is the 2 torx screws but the console trim needs to be removed first to see them.
Then right in the middle under the trim is a large allen bolt.
To remove the centre trim prise off the gear stick surround and then prise up the trim, there are no bolts or screws holding this on.
It took me longer to unclip all the wiring than to remove the centre console and fix it.
Take a few pics of the route the wiring takes to aid putting it back together.

 

[bob20124]

Thank you for the information and suggestions. My next project.....

 

[Timblr]

Hi guys,

I seem to be having the same problem with my armrest.

I can see that one pin has fallen out and the other is completely missing along with cog.
Does anyone know the part number for the pins and cog?

Then I just need to figure out how to get the console off to fit it :?

 

[Nictrix]

Hi guys,

I seem to be having the same problem with my armrest.

I can see that one pin has fallen out and the other is completely missing along with cog.
Does anyone know the part number for the pins and cog?

Then I just need to figure out how to get the console off to fit it :?

I wouldn't think you would need to buy any parts to fix this.
The pins should still be there somewhere and off the top of my head I think there is only one cog at one side

 

[A1GSS]

Mine is broken in exactly the same way. And I've lost the bits. so looks like a dealer repair unless a mobile fixer upper on here fancies sorting it for me...!

 

[Nictrix]

Mine is broken in exactly the same way. And I've lost the bits. so looks like a dealer repair unless a mobile fixer upper on here fancies sorting it for me...!

You can only lose them if you have thrown them away.
If they have worked their way loose they will still be in there somewhere.
I have a feeling that these bits will not be available separately.

 

[A1GSS]

I reckon the bits went into the hoover a few weeks ago, before I noticed the armrest was wonky

Rats.

 

[Amg01]

I have broken the bit the armrest clicks into to stay down, so it now won't stay down which is very annoying. Can you get replacement sections of the armrest?

 

[Maniac]

Mine lost its soft close years ago. Now just goes slap right down. Bothered enough to take it all apart? Nope.

 

[BeardyJon]

I have broken the bit the armrest clicks into to stay down, so it now won't stay down which is very annoying. Can you get replacement sections of the armrest?

I've done the same thing. I can't find any info on replacing it. Does anyone have any suggestions? A replacement armrest is £250 which is insane just to replace the broken clip.

 

[Smartbear]

I have broken the bit the armrest clicks into to stay down, so it now won't stay down which is very annoying. Can you get replacement sections of the armrest?

I've done the same thing. I can't find any info on replacing it. Does anyone have any suggestions? A replacement armrest is £250 which is insane just to replace the broken clip.

A car breakers has got to be worth a call for a used part? :?
Rob