DIY: Install an armrest in your NB

[zeusenergy]

New Beetle Armrest Installation By Zeusenergy:






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.



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.



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...



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.



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.



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.



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.




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!



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!




Check out these pics to see the installed result:

[marvins_dad]

Nice write up!

[zeusenergy]

Originally Posted by marvins_dad

Nice write up!

Thanx! It's really for the buyer of the armrest from my car, but hey... why not share the wealth!

[marvins_dad]

I can't tell you how many how-to requests we have had for this mod. At least once or twice a year.

I'll move it to the how-to in a bit, just in case anyone had any questions for you.