I journeyed back in the Wayback Machine to find help dismantling the armrest (also replacing a broken LOCK, TRAY), and took some pics to help illustrate this fix for future readers.



Removal

First remove the 011 BASE, CONSOLE ARMREST, the 012 TRAY, CONSOLE, and 013 HINGE, ARMREST that holds them together from the 021 CONSOLE, CENTER. The two screws fit through the plastic console into a metal support. The self-tapping screws that hold the hinge to the armrest and tray are not very strong, and sink into plastic, so take these inside, and go easy on them. One you remove the armrest assembly from the hinge you're free to take it apart.



Taking apart the armrest

The armrest sits in a sliding track on the base, and is stopped from sliding out by two felt-covered, plastic stops that catch protruding flanges on the armrest. Separating the ARMREST and BASE is a simple matter of jamming a wide trim removal tool between the armrest and base from the front opening, to let the armrest slide over the two stop tabs. Someone recommended a screwdriver wrapped with tape, I think that might damage the plastic stops on the base or the tabs on the sliding armrest. If you don't have a trim removal tool set, invest in one ... they are the bestest way to dismantle things like this.



With this tool slid all the way in to the armrest's tabs, the tool lifts it just enough that with some gentle pressure, the armrest slides over the stops, and slides right out. If gentle force doesn't do it, don't get brutal ... the tabs and the plastic armrest they're on don't seem to be individual parts you can buy replacements for! The tabs IMHO can't be 'bent up' to pass over the stops, they're too sturdy. You have to use a tool to lift the armrest up a bit and slide over the stops.

(As you can see, this trim removal tool did such a good job, the stick-on felt covers of the tabs weren't stripped off.)



Detailed pic of the two stops:



Now you can remove the slide from the BASE, ARMREST with four screws. These four screws, with the two at the rear that attach the hinge, (which you already removed), hold the two halves of the base together. With the screws removed, the metal pieces slides a bit forward and lifts out from under a tab.



With this removed, the two halves come apart easily (or should), exposing 019 LOCK, ARMREST and 020 LOCK, TRAY.



Now you can remove and replace either lock piece by removing its respective self-tapping screw(s). Again, go easy, the screws and the armrest are plastic -- don't over-tighten on re-assembly.



While you've got it all disassembled, go ahead and wipe clean the 016 MAT ASSY., TRAY (which was glued to the tray on my TSX), and the 015 MAT, CONSOLE BOX. I removed the latter by sticking a thin trim removal chisel in between the front edge of the mat and the 038 BOX, CONSOLE and lifting out. (There are two screws underneath the console box, and tightening these with a Philips #2 screwdriver will make your armrest more stable. There have been complaints of these screws being loose after a service adjustment to the parking brake cable. Just a "while we're here" kind of adjustment.)


Photo from a post by Clee109.

Back together

Reassemble the base (make sure you get the bottom piece aligned into the little positioning posts in the top half) and reattached the slide. Slide the armrest back onto the base. Reattach the armrest assembly to the hinge and tray, and reattach the hinge to your center console. Final step: congratulate yourself on replacing a $5 part without spending $75 at the dealership for labor.

 

OOPS, I meant, "two screws underneath the console box mat." When you lift out the rubber mat, you'll see them, nothing further has to be removed.

 

Thanks spalding. I tried several years ago, but was unsuccessful. I may have to give it a go when I have time.

 

Hey david. Do you know if it's possible to remove the black console box pictured in your very last picture? I've been thinking about replacing my entire console due to scratches on the side, but I'm not sure if the replacement console comes with the box that houses the aux power outlet and mp3 jack (doubtful). The helms manual doesn't show any way to disassemble the box inside the console. But I thought you might know one way or the other. I got my entire console (w/the box) out of the car, and I still couldn't figure out how to get the console box out of the console.

 

Once you see for yourself how the armrest is held in (it's removed by simply sliding it all the way out past the stops), you'll wonder why you had such trouble. That's why I posted. But using that wide, slightly wedged-shaped trim removal tool was the saving grace. Maybe something similar that will lay on top o' the stops and let the tabs slide over would suffice. Best of luck....

I haven't gone that far, but from the IPB, it looks to be secured in the console by the four screws on the side, maybe by the two screws for the armrest hinge (unless they go straight through the console to the "center console bracket") and probably all the doodads inside the console box (charger, AUX input on 2006-2008 models),... oh, and what looks like screw #35 (2 each) coming up underneath. Oh, and screw #39 (2 each) ... I can't see where that goes, but seems to hold in the box.

Since 038 83435-SEC-A51ZA BOX, CONSOLE *NH167L* is listed as a separately available part, I'm sure it can be done.

Hope that helps....

If you've got pics you can share of the removed console (screw locations, etc), please post them as a new DIY thread for the benefit of others trying to do this. E.g. for those who can't see the clips on the (rear) console garnish, it might not be clear that you remove the rearmost 2 side screws, then wedge a trim removal tool down the seam and pull the garnish straight back to undo the clips (same type clips that hold in the center pocket).

 

Thanks. I probably won't do it until I get my loose passenger seat fixed (dealership is likely to scratch the console AGAIN). So I'm going to wait. I'll take pics if I manage to get the box out once and for all.

 

Outstanding - only made better by the fact it was a $7.59 part and the labour rate (Vancouver area) is over $100, so I saved even more!!!

I don't have a trim removal kit, but I do have a small (2" wide) prybar/blade used for removing baseboards that did the job (when covered with some heavy plastic that came from the "window" of some package for a kid's toy).

Couldn't have done it without you telling me where to push.

Thanks again!

 

Help Guys, if you see the illustrated figure (the first picture) the armrest lock is loose on the centre console. I am looking to change the part no 19, 20 on it. Where do i get it? or if there is a fix for that?

 

http://www.acuraoemparts.com/delray/jsp/home.jsp

 

Hello I have a 2005 tsx and the armrest broke off I would like to know if anyone knows how to fix this or replace it? Thanks