I'm not the 1st one here to do this mod I've seen pics of Jas11n's A6 and also Sküll's compi but I said a bit of a write up might help others.
I got the armrest off ebay in the us and many thanks to Aaron for helping out with the shipping. These things are surprisingly heavy and shipping is a little on the high side.
Cost:
The part cost about $25, however the shipping turned the overall cost into $85 because it had to be shipped in the US and then shiped on to me.
Part number:
I couldn't find one so if anybody would care to add one to the thread that would be useful. This part came from a '97 A6 (C4) LHD US spec.
Time:
About a hour.
The package:
Removing the mobile phone accessories & cable:
After a quick clean:
Trial fit in the car:
Identify the receiver location behind the leather / cloth:
I was apprehensive of cutting the leather. One slip and I'd have destroyed the seat. Let the passenger seat fully forward and the driver's seat fully back to allow easy access. I used my trusty pocket knife. My aim was to have a circle when I was finished so there would be no cut that would spread over time. I ended up with a slight oval. Not pictured but I put a small bit of superglue around the fresh leather where I'd made the cut, just to be sure.
Cutting the Leather:
The machined hex shape so you can only install it in the correct orientation:
The hex shape is only the locator. There's an allen head (6mm) set screw that actually holds it in place. I removed the screw from the armrest at this point and trial fitted it. I ran it in along the threads twice to clear them of any dirt.
Apply a drop of threadlock and fit:
Finished product:
It's not a new item and there's a bit of movement in it but I'm very happy with it. Never thought I'd be out cutting the leather seats in my car but being careful it's an easy job.
I got the armrest off ebay in the us and many thanks to Aaron for helping out with the shipping. These things are surprisingly heavy and shipping is a little on the high side.
Cost:
The part cost about $25, however the shipping turned the overall cost into $85 because it had to be shipped in the US and then shiped on to me.
Part number:
I couldn't find one so if anybody would care to add one to the thread that would be useful. This part came from a '97 A6 (C4) LHD US spec.
Time:
About a hour.
The package:
Removing the mobile phone accessories & cable:
After a quick clean:
Trial fit in the car:
Identify the receiver location behind the leather / cloth:
I was apprehensive of cutting the leather. One slip and I'd have destroyed the seat. Let the passenger seat fully forward and the driver's seat fully back to allow easy access. I used my trusty pocket knife. My aim was to have a circle when I was finished so there would be no cut that would spread over time. I ended up with a slight oval. Not pictured but I put a small bit of superglue around the fresh leather where I'd made the cut, just to be sure.
Cutting the Leather:
The machined hex shape so you can only install it in the correct orientation:
The hex shape is only the locator. There's an allen head (6mm) set screw that actually holds it in place. I removed the screw from the armrest at this point and trial fitted it. I ran it in along the threads twice to clear them of any dirt.
Apply a drop of threadlock and fit:
Finished product:
It's not a new item and there's a bit of movement in it but I'm very happy with it. Never thought I'd be out cutting the leather seats in my car but being careful it's an easy job.
Comment