DIY B7 Center Armrest Latch replacement with pics

[waiapasi2006]

Here is a quick DIY to replace your broken center Armrest latch.( Heavily Pictured)

What's needed:
*Time and patience
*Trim Removal Tool or Flat head Screw driver(just don't rip anything)

Lets get started.

Current product:
As you can see below, I have a rubber band holding it down
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/f6f95f744264785e1582646951fa200d.jpg

No latch
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/a8263ff64c0f4bcc04e19ad9f9076ab1.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/4ec3e93da536f8839d25dda45158b56d.jpg

Broken Latch
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/e3c57c24249f958b1a01fd7b8995b251.jpg

Now the top cover removal.
Please be careful and take your time and pry open the cover working your way opposite of each side.
Don't try force it out. You will end up braking the locking clips inside
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/8b2687e3bf9398bfcd137b0f60b5d14c.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/0873ccc900810cc3f4daa622b34fb0bd.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/ad829cb1402b861d05d37f6968574c36.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/39005f71d12d549fe5a0900ae3939677.jpg

Next, you can clean these spots and add some silicone to them for the re-installation of the cover.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/48f383d2229115056df87cc7a195983c.jpg

Here's the broken latch with the resistant spring wire.
Make sure you don't loose this. This is what adds the resistance to the latch.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/db8678222e0d274e0ffa8725146b8d0c.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/7878fb3366785ae755d1cd86ab8b84b0.jpg

New latch:
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/714d29c3e1d9f8ed499dce73179a33a3.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/d4960029bcc28e2f63d141ea73d0cb45.jpg

Installing the resistance wire on the new latch.
Make sure the little arrow on the resistance wire is facing towards the flat side of the latch like so. You will see there are two little indents on the latch to fit the two sides in.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/280349fd3cb1e8ce746e32cc7312d194.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/9f062019b55a8a7db99887cc3f700750.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/9a2058f67d596f283a56e0ee9d383d08.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/ae23ed64d2981dd6b5b8d4a6bd485d0c.jpg

Here is the tricky part. Be very careful when you approach these steps.
You need to hold the base of the armrest vertically and just place the latch on it.
like so:
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/f2b429826c1620c0c60c55a7475010eb.jpg

Next, you will hook the arrow part of the resistance wire to the little hook part of the base.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/8d9a4fc2663c0a3f0b3b46a9306ef0ec.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/cb8f884a27714812a601950cb82f53ce.jpg
Once you have the above steps in place, You will proceed to completely install the latch to the base.
Please take your time and don't apply too much pressure to the two little arms that needs to fit into the two sides.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/615536ed9b045a44eab4e5cf004db372.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/b12c3e87891ea617720d2b79b6d33771.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/1063fb139127726e8823df383db93fab.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/95c5015b78b8f74577b0379d3e35974c.jpg

Do the same with the opposite side.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/59291b7f3dbed41a2b07642d1e5171c9.jpg

You should now look like this:
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/346323ae49ebf1bba3727bd7aa3c3984.jpg
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/c9712840fe68c98e938346cbe4c286eb.jpg

Finally, reattach the armrest cover to the base. Now you have a working latch again.
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/10/1e953853da041e700087b4c2973425b3.jpg
Just do the reverse step and just press the cover gently back in toward the base.


If I missed something, let me know and I will gladly help out.
I hope this help those like me with a broken latch.

Here is the link to the site. Choose the one you want.
http://www.shapeways.com/search?q=B6%2FB7

Regards,

Suraj.

[JDillon15]

Here is a quick DIY to replace your broken center Armrest latch.( Heavily Pictured)

What's needed:
*Time and patience
*Trim Removal Tool or Flat head Screw driver(just don't rip anything)

Lets get started.

Current product:
As you can see below, I have a rubber ban holding it down lol

https://www.dropbox.com/lightbox/home/Armrest%20DIY

No latch
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qosyirg201fhinj/Armrest2.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/3xj10vryzl5jlb6/Armrest4.jpg?dl=0

Broken Latch
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xhewvj2fpffixu3/Armrest3.jpg?dl=0

Now the top cover removal.
Please be careful and take your time and pry open the cover working your way opposite each side.
Don't try force it out. You will end up braking the locking clips inside.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qx43anvpgifvxbn/Armrest5.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qnmbcb3d9cu5655/Armrest6.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ehp0j7a83d4yx6q/Armrest7.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/dpllty4q02uhgrt/Armrest8.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7e1mkw7p2p34oft/Armrest9.jpg?dl=0

Next, you can clean these spots and add some silicone to them for the re-installation of the cover.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/f716x5ejaik46i7/Armrest10.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e2m4xdv1nwxl0m7/Armrest11.jpg?dl=0

Here's the broken latch with the spring wire.
Make sure you don't loose this. This is what adds the resistance to the latch.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/q7nolchafxad7qk/Armrest16.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/31og0q7tdcwvul2/Armrest17.jpg?dl=0

New latch:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/s856u1o5mhc1gqn/Armrest18.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/h7gio500v33xw52/Armrest19.jpg?dl=0

Installing the resistance wire on the new latch.
Make sure the little is facing towards the flat side of the latch like so. You will see there are two little indents on the latch to fit the tow sides in.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8fgxrxo2hgbuws2/Armrest21.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/u18z8348sachl1w/Armrest22.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/lm4ysbhz4kiaqgl/Armrest23.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/xlw50x44xmurm6q/Armrest20.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/e89f70p4fs47qex/Armrest24.jpg?dl=0

Here is the tricky part. Be very careful when you approach these steps.
You need to hold the base of the armrest vertically and just place the latch on it.
like so:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/w2gcfsuo1sfjrfp/Armrest25.jpg?dl=0

Next, you will hook the arrow part of the resistance wire to the little hook part of the base.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/srq7ja56ei7k7nv/Armrest26.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/abhjxl0rkanh69u/Armrest27.jpg?dl=0

Once you have the above steps in place, You will proceed to completely install the latch to the base.
Please take your time and don't apply too much pressure to the two little arms that needs to fit into the two side mounting holes.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/bgyu8d82lju9y6x/Armrest28.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/2b53jfideewfdda/Armrest29.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/8m0tqtvq7yqp5ar/Armrest30.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/uq20bygmfre1wc6/Armrest31.jpg?dl=0

Do the same with the opposite side.
Due to the amount of picture, you can visualize the opposite side.

You should now look like this:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5iexffszs9evgk4/Armrest35.jpg?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/wxfuz5oht47qqpb/Armrest36.jpg?dl=0

Finally, reattach the armrest cover to the base. Now you have a working latch again.
Just do the reverse step and just press the cover gently back in toward the base.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/yfy443ldwvfsae7/Armrest37.jpg?dl=0


If I missed something, let me know and I will gladly help out.
I hope this help those like me with a broken latch.


Regards,

Suraj.

So excited to try this. Do you have a part number for the new latch?

[waiapasi2006]

I was still trying to get these pictures loaded, but you beat me to that part.

[IronAudi]

ya I dont see any pictures

[waiapasi2006]

Strange.
Now I can't see them.

[waiapasi2006]

Sorry guys.

[waiapasi2006]

ya I dont see any pictures

damn drop box.

[waiapasi2006]

If you right click on the Img, you can open it.
I just don't know why the pics aren't showing.

[JDillon15]

Are any of them in tan? I only see black and other 'strange' colors. Idk about those on a tan interior.

[waiapasi2006]

Are any of them in tan? I only see black and other 'strange' colors. Idk about those on a tan interior.

I just got the black one.

[JDillon15]

I just got the black one.

As I can't see the pictures, is your interior tan?

And if so, how does it look?

[waiapasi2006]

As I can't see the pictures, is your interior tan?

And if so, how does it look?

Sorry for the delay, I was still trying to figure out why the pictures aren't loading.
Pictures are now fixed thanks to my Phone.

[waiapasi2006]

As I can't see the pictures, is your interior tan?

And if so, how does it look?

No you can see.

[IronAudi]

Strange.
Now I can't see them.

I see what you did there!

[waiapasi2006]

I see what you did there!
Huh.

[Hopperstien]

Cool find. But after looking at this I have realized that the little hook that the spring clips on is what is actually broken on mine. [:|]

[king_j]

Where can I get the resistance wire?

[FraggyA4]

Great write up! but I think buying a cheap china knock off from ebay and just swapping the leather from your old console might be easier and less time consuming.

[SykoraA4]

Is that the 3d printed latch available on shapeways?

[waiapasi2006]

Cool find. But after looking at this I have realized that the little hook that the spring clips on is what is actually broken on mine. [:|]

That sucks.

[waiapasi2006]

Where can I get the resistance wire?
I think they sell one with the option of the resistance wire.

[waiapasi2006]

Great write up! but I think buying a cheap china knock off from ebay and just swapping the leather from your old console might be easier and less time consuming.
Thanks, just helping the community.
It's up to you to go either route you want. It took me less then 5minutes to do this.

[waiapasi2006]

Is that the 3d printed latch available on shapeways?
You must be talking about this
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/11/103ae90c34f110d59688ca52e861848b.jpg

[SykoraA4]

You must be talking about this
http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/14/11/11/103ae90c34f110d59688ca52e861848b.jpg

thats the one.

[waiapasi2006]

Here is an update guys. I installed one of these in my Co workers car as well, and so far it has been all good with no problems.

[trj]

Thanks for the DIY. I used it to fix the broken armrest latch.

Bought this for $2.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/301622387988?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

And listen to the best part:
I didnt have OEM spring anymore. Bought the car with broken latch.
I used a thick paper clip and bent it to shape of the OEM spring as shown above. Didnt even trim the excess of the paper clip, just twisted it around the little notches on the sides of the latch where the OEM spring ends.
I am sure it doesn't have the resistance of OEM latch spring because paper clips bend easily, but it works beautifully.

Thanks again.

[trj]

Where can I get the resistance wire?

I am sure you have figured it out, but if you are still around and looking for the resistance wire, use a thick paperclip bent in shape of the spring as shown in OP. Works great.

[DannyDeez]

OP thank you for this DIY!! I just followed it and it works perfectly and only took me 20 minutes to do [up]

[roadmandriving]

OP thank you for this DIY!! I just followed it and it works perfectly and only took me 20 minutes to do [up]

I was looking for a audi armrest cover replacement tutorial for my Audi S3 and I think this video covers everthing https://youtu.be/WzS-ZPJU-Yc

[roadmandriving]

Thought this would help because I followed the video and it was better then other videos encourage you to bend the hinges in and risking you to snap the hinges!

I was searching ages for a tutorial video and I think this covers everything.

https://youtu.be/WzS-ZPJU-Yc