Centre arm rest lid fix
 

The latch on my upper most centre arm rest lid has failed- it won’t re latch when I close it. Like a spring has broken or something.
Anyone know how to take it to bits so I can attempt a repair? It’s the button that opens the part to expose the car phone (which I still have).
Thanks

Boneyard search?

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...dcdf51a2f3.jpg
Parts list doesn't show that part but does suggest you can disassemble. Look for the part at pick n pull and swap the latch over assuming the actual armrest isn't as good of condition

Did you try rinsing it with a cleaning product of your choice?

Tried that. The release button got stuck down and the lid won’t stay shut.
I managed to get the button back up but the small catch that holds the lid down doesn’t spring out like it should.
Anyone know how to dismantle the phone tray so I can get to the catch?

Taking it apart ain’t so easy and will look pretty shitty. Just tried and it failed hard. Best off just buying another one I guess……

I’ve just bought a decent used one although it doesn’t have the phone cradle so it looks like I’m removing the phone.. I wanted to keep it in as a retro thing so I may be able to swap things about.

My E53 was recently involved in a bad head on crash which caused not only the airbags to deploy but the sliding center armrest to slide so far forward that it is jammed/broken. My crazy self is having the car completely rebuilt right now at a cost that is astronomically more than what its worth but it is truly the cleanest oxford green E53 I've ever come across. I just bought a brand new center armrest assembly as my checkbook cant get any worse.

This video might help...

https://youtu.be/yO3-J8llk7E