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  #1  
Old 03-02-2021, 08:11 PM
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Top armrest storage latch broke

Hey, the latch for my storage in the top part of the arm rest broke. Looking at the photo, the plastic hole that the latch goes through is broken and not what I'm referencing. The button has no spring to it anymore and therefore stays at the bottom.


I can see the spring, and I assume there isn't anything I can do without taking apart the armrest. Does anyone know how to take it apart?



There were two exposed screws in the phone slot (removed with credit card on each side) that were near the latch.

There were also three on the inside of the main storage compartment on the bottom of the cover but it feels like theres one more inside holding the bottom piece on.

Also there's a cable running for the main latch that I couldn't get unhooked.
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  #2  
Old 03-03-2021, 11:21 AM
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GOOD LUCK! This thing is a nightmare to try to disassemble.

I had the exact same issue.

I pulled an armrest assembly from a junk yard. Since my X5 didn't have the cellphone mount I didn't need any of the wires in my arm rest. So I just clipped them on my junk yard find then cleaned the wires and phone mount out when i got home.

To pull the assembly, you remove the screws from the hinge mount from inside the storage compartment and then i think there are also 2 screws that you access through the rear passenger vents.

The easiest way to do this is to use your new to you arm rest and just switch the top leather cover over to it. Trying to disassembly the arm rest mechanism will leave you with broken plastic pieces. I know this because I had to go back to the junkyard twice to get a second arm rest assembly. The screws for the top cover are under the little rubber bumpers/screw head covers on the bottom of the lid. If you decide to remove the pin from the top cover hinge, I suggest trying to pull the pin with needle nose pliers rather than drive it through. It's actually 2 pins.

Good Luck!
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Old 03-03-2021, 11:45 AM
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Ok, I have a replacement one coming in. Thanks for the assistance for removal! I have two questions.

When you say trying to pull the pin, you're referencing the pin with the spring attached in the picture I posted, right?

Also, even though you had broken plastic pieces, could you recall how you took apart the button mechanism, for the sake of me/us knowing too?
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Old 03-03-2021, 12:07 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miloh View Post
Ok, I have a replacement one coming in. Thanks for the assistance for removal! I have two questions.

When you say trying to pull the pin, you're referencing the pin with the spring attached in the picture I posted, right?

Also, even though you had broken plastic pieces, could you recall how you took apart the button mechanism, for the sake of me/us knowing too?
There really isn't much reason to disassemble your current arm rest assembly. The latch is fine, it's the frame that the latch goes into that is broken. You will have a difficult time getting the latch frame out of your new assembly without breaking it in the process.

The pins I'm referring to are the hinge pins holding the top cover to the rest of the arm rest. If you want to change the plastic frame piece and use your same arm rest assembly you'll have to pull these pins in order to remove the top cover. Then to disassemble the rest there are 2 screws from the bottom of the arm rest that are hidden. You'll have to slide the arm rest to just the right spot for the access holes to line up with 2 screws from the bottom side of the arm rest. I believe it's spring loaded so it's a little difficult. I think there are also a few other small screws on the bottom side of the arm rest. I don't remember much more about disassembly but at some point you assume that you have all of the screws out and you start to pull on plastic pieces and hopefully they just pop off. The alternative is they break or they pop off and break. Then there is still the cable that you'll need to disconnect without breaking any plastic pieces. Break down your broken assembly first before trying to tear apart the new arm rest assembly.

My official recommendation is to change out the assembly to the new/used assembly and just switch over the leather cover to the new assembly. The screws for the leather cover are hiding under the rubber bumpers on the bottom side of the top cover. I think there are 4. This is a much easier way to get the same result.
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Last edited by ///Monster123; 03-03-2021 at 12:16 PM.
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Old 03-03-2021, 12:13 PM
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Ah okay thank you for clarifying. Yes, once the new one comes in I'll try breaking down the old one. Fortunately it looks like the leather cover on the replacement one is in good condition.
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Old 03-03-2021, 12:16 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by miloh View Post
Ah okay thank you for clarifying. Yes, once the new one comes in I'll try breaking down the old one. Fortunately it looks like the leather cover on the replacement one is in good condition.
I had to change mine. It was the wrong color.
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