Armrest Busted

[Ldy5Spd]

Hi Everyone,

I'm a brand new member to this site from the SF Bay Area. I have a 2007 Beetle, and I just discovered today that the latch to my armrest is broken.

I thought I would ask if anybody might have a spare lying around or that they're trying to get rid of. Please get in touch with me if you do. It would mean a lot. Many thanks!

-Jules

[Mutato]

They are like $15 - $20 at the dealer.

[beej]

If you can find them. They are getting hard to find around here again.

[Marauder]

I need to replace my armrest entirely so I have been looking at ebay and found some parts there for my 01 NB...
You might find some there as well. You will just have to look around. Like other posters have mentioned it sometimes can be hard to find parts outside of the dealer.

[warren]

here's a reliable source for the latch...

Volkswagen New Beetle 1.8T > Interior > Center Console

if the hinge is broken, i'm still experimenting with how to repair that beast...

[saxnbass]

Originally Posted by warren

if the hinge is broken, i'm still experimenting with how to repair that beast...

If you figure that one out, let me know, my hinge is broken

[warren]

Originally Posted by saxnbass

If you figure that one out, let me know, my hinge is broken

will do. one VERY unsuccessful attempt so far.

even i had to laugh when it just split apart while re-installing the darned thing...

[warren]

ok...finally an update. sorry for the delay.

1. tacked the broken part of the hinge onto the armrest with super glue/masking tape...let it dry for a few hours.

2. found an old el cheapo soldering iron, heated it up, and melted the plastic all along the crack in the hinge...made a groove about 1/8 inch wide...let it cool a little bit, then re-heated and smoothed it out.

here are a couple of pics...yep, it's ugly, but i think it'll work...seems solid.

gonna wait until tomorrow to try reinstall the armrest lid.

[wawalker]

I just used 2 small metal hinges on either side at the back after using my dremel to cut off the stock plastic hinges and smooth them out. I need to remove the metal hinges, scuff them and paint them black so they blend in. The repair is strong though, new latches are available no problem at dealers--I needed one of those too--my '03 GTI came to me with broken hinges and a broken latch.

[warren]

i was thinking about something similar...when you take it off to paint would like to see pics...i may need to go down that road later. :-)

[wawalker]

Originally Posted by warren

i was thinking about something similar...when you take it off to paint would like to see pics...i may need to go down that road later. :-)

I'll take some pics now--it will be easier to see anyway pre-painting. The hinges were under $2 at Lowes and the latch was high $20ish at the dealer...

So, it's not original, but it works and I have a functioning armrest w/ a lid that works.

[warren]

Originally Posted by warren

i think it'll work...seems solid.

so much for that idea.

ALMOST got the hinges finessed into the slots.

SNAP! boo.

i'll try one more thing, then it's off to Lowe's i go.

[wawalker]

Here's how I "fixed" it. Yes, I know my interior is filthy--there's still snow on the ground, spring cleaning is soon...

Anyway, you'll see what I did and only thing left to do is to paint the hinges black so they blend in.

[warren]

Originally Posted by wawalker

Here's how I "fixed" it. Yes, I know my interior is filthy--there's still snow on the ground, spring cleaning is soon...

Anyway, you'll see what I did and only thing left to do is to paint the hinges black so they blend in.

nice fix.

thanks for posting the pics, Bill.

[warren]

Originally Posted by warren

i'll try one more thing, then it's off to Lowe's i go.

tried it JUST one more time. what can i say...i inherited the stubborn streak from my Dad.

damned if it didn't work on the third try.