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I love thias forum. I should have searched here first before attemping to repair my armrest. This is the correct way to make the repair. I struggled with an epoxy glue first that only last a short time. I didn't remove the door panel, just worked from the outside. The second time I used my favorite African animal glue - Gorilla. I was able to moistened behind the armrest and was able to get the glue down behind the armrest. Next I pushed the loosened panel back into position and taped it to hold the panel while the glue set. Yes, the glue expands so be careful not to let any glue leak out on top. The glue set up overnight and then I was able to pull the tape off and the panel stayed in place. It's been a year now and still perfect. If it seperates again I'll be taking the door panel off, but so far so good.
Thanks for the great post. I fixed both arm rests on my son's 2002 CL yesterday. Not entirely satisfied with the results on one of the arm rests, as it was really messed up. I may just order a new armrest as you can get them for less than $80 new.
Thanks for posting this first of all, I'll be doing this soon as I've been just putting up with this annoying little defect for almost 5 years. (Bought my 03 CL-S Auto 6 years ago)
Originally Posted by gaping46and2
Yeah, I think the rear panels have a similar cut out and hollow box. I guess it's just some kind of suport for the door panel, so it's not a single layer? Can that vapor barrier be removed and replaced easily? It looks like it's glued in pretty good. Asking because I'm thinking of adding some sound dampener to the doors sometime in the future, and that stuff is kinda in the way.
In reference to 46and2, mine has a little extra feature behind the rear panels! About 3 years after I bought it, someone backed into my passenger side, and while in the body shop, the techs found an interesting feature... Before I bought my CL, it was a Mexican Cartel Drug Car, complete with secret compartments, that have a secret way to open them!
I don't understand; what is it exactly that you're gluing? I see that you're using the paint stick to keep everything straight, but I don't understand why what it is you're gluing.
AMart83 and anyone else -- below is another of Misdby1's pictures of his DIY armrest separation fix, that I have copied and labeled in an attempt to clarify. The gap outlined in yellow is the one that needs to be glued shut. Hope this helps. --Jim.
AMart83 and anyone else -- below is another of Misdby1's pictures of his DIY armrest separation fix, that I have copied and labeled in an attempt to clarify. The gap outlined in yellow is the one that needs to be glued shut. Hope this helps. --Jim.