Crappy Cup Holders

[simonlpearce]

So was excited to actually use the cup holders in my MC for the first time since owning the car from Oct last year, only to be disappointed at actually how terrible they are

Went to the Costa drive through and felt smug when she asked if i wanted a cup holder as i could turn down the offer for my superior optional extra. How much of a tit did i feel driving to work with drink in one hand, trying to change gear and operate the brakes, clutch steering wheel etc

Its as if the springs are on the wrong way round so that instead of clamping towards the cup, the spring pushes the clamp away from the cup, surely that cannot be correct :? ? Anyone know how to remove them so i can try swap the spring round?

 

[z4pilot]

So the clamping arms are on a kind of a ratchet. When you push the movable arm towards the cup, it should click and hold it's position. You juust keep pushing until it grips the cup? If yours are springing out again, it sounds like the ratchet mechanism is broken. Is it the same on both sides? Mine work fine and whilst not the greatest design compared to others, they do work.

 

[Wyldie85]

Have tried coffee cups, flasks and water bottles.
I move the arm so it fits snugly around the item but they dont hold and like you say, you end up driving holding the cup or bottle or worse still sat clenched waiting to grab it as it falls out.

They're useless.

 

[fixit man]

Mine work fine too... not for a bucket size cup but a regular size :?

 

[simonlpearce]

Yeah drivers side is definitely not on a ratchet type mechanism, it is definitely spring loaded and springs away from the cup. It would have to be a yank sized XL McDonalds cup for it to even sit tight. I'm fairly sure the pax side is the same. Car was on 41k when i got it and they were like it then and still are now.

Is there a way of removing them as if i could flip it so they spring towards the cup, it would be much better.

 

[no fit state]

Sounds like the ratchet mech is broke as my drivers side one was.

New one from stealers is around the £50 mark.

 

[simonlpearce]

Sounds like the ratchet mech is broke as my drivers side one was.

New one from stealers is around the £50 mark.

For that price i would rather just not bother!!!

 

[Bing]

When the ratchet works they hold coffee cups from Costa fine - you push it in until it's against the cup, then lift the cup slightly, push it one more click, then set the cup in. Simples

...however you need to have had a decent drink and face the mouth hole away from you else it will splurt out whilst you get up to ramming speed :driving:

 

[toledo]

With mine I have found that if I put the drinks container in the cupholder first and try to push the cupholder arm in tighter they never seem to go tight enough and the drink tilts towards me. However if I push the cupholder arm in first to the appropriate diameter and then put the drink in it seems to work better. So yeah don't seem like the best bit of design really...

 

[Scooba_Steve]

When the ratchet works they hold coffee cups from Costa fine - you push it in until it's against the cup, then lift the cup slightly, push it one more click, then set the cup in. Simples

Bing speaks the truth, this is the easiest method.

 

[DanStarr]

Ive had no issues with mine can never understand when people say they're useless.... :fuelfire:

 

[Swiftly]

No issues with my holders either

 

[Bing]

It's amazing how many people don't realise they ratchet in to grip whatever you're drinking. They're not the best, but they work.

 

[wattsie]

Mine is broke in the same way as the OP's... I'm going to be making a replacement on my 3D printer. If it works, I'd happily get another made up......

But be warned, once you take them apart its a nightmare trying to get the pop-out mechanism spring working!

 

[simonlpearce]

Mine is broke in the same way as the OP's... I'm going to be making a replacement on my 3D printer. If it works, I'd happily get another made up......

But be warned, once you take them apart its a nightmare trying to get the pop-out mechanism spring working!

So i realised that the knowledgeable folk on here are in fact correct, and the ratchet bit has indeed broken on my drivers side, and is working perfectly on the passenger side.

Wattsie - if you do get round to making one on a 3D printer, i would definitely pay you some beer monies for your time and materials

 

[GaryT]

I bought two new ones from the stealers without ever the intention of using them, now thats madness. :crazydude:

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[papitosabe]

Mine is broke in the same way as the OP's... I'm going to be making a replacement on my 3D printer. If it works, I'd happily get another made up......

But be warned, once you take them apart its a nightmare trying to get the pop-out mechanism spring working!

how much is the material to make this? And I'm guessing you're just making the part that broke, correct?

 

[wattsie]

how much is the material to make this? And I'm guessing you're just making the part that broke, correct?

Yeah I was just planning on fixing mine, but depending on whats broken I'm sure I could knock something together.

Wattsie - if you do get round to making one on a 3D printer, i would definitely pay you some beer monies for your time and materials

Well it all depends on if its the bit thats broken on mine, but i have no issue with running a few off.

Materials would probably extend to less than 50p. 3D printer filament is really cheap if you buy it in bulk and I use LOADS! Once I get mine sorted, Ill take a few pics and if its the same problem, Ill knock a fewest and ship for P&P cost.

 

[ninja_dan]

Well you live and learn...Over 4 years of ownership and didn't know they had a ratchet and thought they were useless. Just been to check them out and they both work. Doesn't make a huge difference as the Z is a no food or drink zone but nice to know it's in full working order

 

[wattsie]

First prototype looking promising.....



Reminds me, I must put my phone holder up here....