zeusenergy
08-14-2008, 01:13 AM
New Beetle Armrest Installation By Zeusenergy:
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2461.jpg
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2462.jpg
When you buy a new armrest for your non-armrest car, there's only a few small things you need to know before
installing. First, your console will need to be cut with some sort of dremel or hot knife. There is a line that is
molded into the console beneath it to use as a guide, just cut this hole out exactly as shown in the plastic.
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2474.jpg
Second, there are three mount points supplied in the NB and one of them is a mount point for the handbrake, closest
to the driver. On the passenger side of the center hump there are two mount points as well. Those need two small
clips that have nuts built in for installing the bolts into. You MAY or MAY NOT have these clips installed. Below
there is a picture of the holes without the clips. If your car came supplied like this, go to the dealer and ask
for the "nutserts" or "clips" to thread the bolts into for the armrest mount. The green arrows show the direction
the clips have to be inserted. You may have to pry out your center console a little for clearance to slip them in,
and a pair of needle nose pliers may assist you to hold the clip and push it into its groove.
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2483.jpg
It's an easy install otherwise. All you need is a 13mm socket, 6" or longer extension, and a ratchet to tighten the
bolts and nut. A screwdriver may be useful to get things to move if they are stuck. The plastic trim parts all just
pull off the car, but sometimes they can get hung up over time and dirt or coffee spills will prevent them from
moving. There is a plug for the center console outlet, and you will need to feel under the trim for the tab on the
side of the plug to disonnect it. You only need to squeeze the tab in, and pull the plug straight down. The shift
boot can pull straight up if you pinch the edge of it and pull. The rear cupholder just unscrews by twisting.
Handbrake and its trim do not have to be removed for this install.
step 1:
Begin by pulling up on the center console at the front of the shifter. Your console may look different, but the
console comes out the same way. We are only removing the very TOP part of the console. The section that meets the
floor doesn't come off so easy...
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2464.jpg
Step 2:
Now go to the back of the console, twist off the cupholder, and pull up on the edge of the top rear of the console,
it will lift up with a little pressure. Now the entire upper console is free.
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2465.jpg
Step 3:
Remove shift boot by pulling it free from the console. There are two pieces on my car, an upper leather part- and a
rubber seal under it. Once the top part is released, you can rotate it and push it through the hole in the console.
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2473.jpg
Step 4:
Now you need to lift the console and feel for the plug attached to the bottom of the lighter jack in the top of the
console. Squeeze the plug's clip and it should come free. For reinstallation, make sure you look at the inside of
the lighter jack's recepticle to be sure you have the plug lined up correctly. It only gets plugged in one
direction. Set the upper console aside in a location that you can make a mess in... You will have to cut the hole
now! Flip the upper console over and find the molded cutting line and cut the hole.
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2466.jpg
Step 5:
ensure the mounting clips are in place. Insert the mounting bracket with the three holes into the lower console
around the base of the handbrake. Once it's on to the handbrake stud (red arrow), carefully begin screwing the
single nut onto the top of the remainder of the stud. Be careful not to drop the nut! Now install the other two
bolts into the passenger side of the lower mount (green arrows). Tighten all three of the fasteners enough to hold
it in place.
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2468.jpg
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2472.jpg
Step 6:
Replace the upper console with it's fresh new hole in place. Plug the jack back in, pull the shift boot back into
place, and snap the console carefully into it's mounting points. Replace the rear cupholder.
Step 7:
Take the upper part of the armrest mount and attach it to the base, using the 13mm bolt. Tighten it down only once
you are sure the mounts are perfectly lined up. If the armrest isn't already assembled, then now refer to the
instructions provided by the seller to reassemble it. There are round bushings that need to be installed, and
that's all I know!
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2475.jpg
Step 8:
Insert the passenger side trim piece over the mounting bracket. It should be a little difficult to get it in there,
but gently twist it into the cut hole. It will overlap any mistakes you made in cutting, and this is a good thing!
Now snap the driver side cover on, and you are done!
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2477.jpg
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2480.jpg
Check out these pics to see the installed result:
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2481.jpg
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2482.jpg
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2461.jpg
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2462.jpg
When you buy a new armrest for your non-armrest car, there's only a few small things you need to know before
installing. First, your console will need to be cut with some sort of dremel or hot knife. There is a line that is
molded into the console beneath it to use as a guide, just cut this hole out exactly as shown in the plastic.
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2474.jpg
Second, there are three mount points supplied in the NB and one of them is a mount point for the handbrake, closest
to the driver. On the passenger side of the center hump there are two mount points as well. Those need two small
clips that have nuts built in for installing the bolts into. You MAY or MAY NOT have these clips installed. Below
there is a picture of the holes without the clips. If your car came supplied like this, go to the dealer and ask
for the "nutserts" or "clips" to thread the bolts into for the armrest mount. The green arrows show the direction
the clips have to be inserted. You may have to pry out your center console a little for clearance to slip them in,
and a pair of needle nose pliers may assist you to hold the clip and push it into its groove.
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2483.jpg
It's an easy install otherwise. All you need is a 13mm socket, 6" or longer extension, and a ratchet to tighten the
bolts and nut. A screwdriver may be useful to get things to move if they are stuck. The plastic trim parts all just
pull off the car, but sometimes they can get hung up over time and dirt or coffee spills will prevent them from
moving. There is a plug for the center console outlet, and you will need to feel under the trim for the tab on the
side of the plug to disonnect it. You only need to squeeze the tab in, and pull the plug straight down. The shift
boot can pull straight up if you pinch the edge of it and pull. The rear cupholder just unscrews by twisting.
Handbrake and its trim do not have to be removed for this install.
step 1:
Begin by pulling up on the center console at the front of the shifter. Your console may look different, but the
console comes out the same way. We are only removing the very TOP part of the console. The section that meets the
floor doesn't come off so easy...
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2464.jpg
Step 2:
Now go to the back of the console, twist off the cupholder, and pull up on the edge of the top rear of the console,
it will lift up with a little pressure. Now the entire upper console is free.
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2465.jpg
Step 3:
Remove shift boot by pulling it free from the console. There are two pieces on my car, an upper leather part- and a
rubber seal under it. Once the top part is released, you can rotate it and push it through the hole in the console.
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2473.jpg
Step 4:
Now you need to lift the console and feel for the plug attached to the bottom of the lighter jack in the top of the
console. Squeeze the plug's clip and it should come free. For reinstallation, make sure you look at the inside of
the lighter jack's recepticle to be sure you have the plug lined up correctly. It only gets plugged in one
direction. Set the upper console aside in a location that you can make a mess in... You will have to cut the hole
now! Flip the upper console over and find the molded cutting line and cut the hole.
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2466.jpg
Step 5:
ensure the mounting clips are in place. Insert the mounting bracket with the three holes into the lower console
around the base of the handbrake. Once it's on to the handbrake stud (red arrow), carefully begin screwing the
single nut onto the top of the remainder of the stud. Be careful not to drop the nut! Now install the other two
bolts into the passenger side of the lower mount (green arrows). Tighten all three of the fasteners enough to hold
it in place.
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2468.jpg
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2472.jpg
Step 6:
Replace the upper console with it's fresh new hole in place. Plug the jack back in, pull the shift boot back into
place, and snap the console carefully into it's mounting points. Replace the rear cupholder.
Step 7:
Take the upper part of the armrest mount and attach it to the base, using the 13mm bolt. Tighten it down only once
you are sure the mounts are perfectly lined up. If the armrest isn't already assembled, then now refer to the
instructions provided by the seller to reassemble it. There are round bushings that need to be installed, and
that's all I know!
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2475.jpg
Step 8:
Insert the passenger side trim piece over the mounting bracket. It should be a little difficult to get it in there,
but gently twist it into the cut hole. It will overlap any mistakes you made in cutting, and this is a good thing!
Now snap the driver side cover on, and you are done!
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2477.jpg
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2480.jpg
Check out these pics to see the installed result:
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2481.jpg
http://shaw-clan.com/beetlepix/armrest/DSCF2482.jpg