Reinstalling the Center Arm Rest
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 752
Likes: 1
From: Tampa, FL
2006 C230 SS
Reinstalling the Center Arm Rest
I remember a long time ago there was a post on this, but I can't find it... Does anyone remember how to reinstall the center arm rest? Like mine completely came off... But I can't seem to figure out what combination of things to do to reinstall it... Any information would help... And if someone has pictures, that would be the best!!!
Thanks...
Thanks...
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 801
Likes: 1
From: San Francisco
2009 SLK 55 AMG
Hahahaha, I actually took out that top part from my 06' C280 just to see what would happen. It was a ***** to put it back on.
I don't know if it's the same center arm rest mechanism, buuut here's what I did to get mine back on.
Look at the underside of the armrest where it would connect.
There should be those arms that are... spring tensioned I guess that would clip onto the center box that you now have open right?
So put one side back on, then try and close it.
It won't close. So, stick your finger into the unclosed side that won't fit and push the spring clip up. Yeah, I'm reading this and it's not really clear.
After pushing up, do this next step REALLY QUICK to avoid smashing your finger...
Pull out and push down at the same time.
If you're lucky it'll snap on and it's fixed.
If you're unlucky it'll hurt a little bit >_>
But basically, you want to
1) Place one side on as well as you can onto the clips
2) Close it
3) Stick your finger into the side that can't close properly
4) Push the clip up on the side that can't close
5) Pull out of the slot and push down on that block
6) .....
7) Sucess.
I don't know if it's the same center arm rest mechanism, buuut here's what I did to get mine back on.
Look at the underside of the armrest where it would connect.
There should be those arms that are... spring tensioned I guess that would clip onto the center box that you now have open right?
So put one side back on, then try and close it.
It won't close. So, stick your finger into the unclosed side that won't fit and push the spring clip up. Yeah, I'm reading this and it's not really clear.
After pushing up, do this next step REALLY QUICK to avoid smashing your finger...
Pull out and push down at the same time.
If you're lucky it'll snap on and it's fixed.
If you're unlucky it'll hurt a little bit >_>
But basically, you want to
1) Place one side on as well as you can onto the clips
2) Close it
3) Stick your finger into the side that can't close properly
4) Push the clip up on the side that can't close
5) Pull out of the slot and push down on that block
6) .....
7) Sucess.
Nice to see a newbie putting something back into the forum - Good for you! 
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: 310
SL500
Hahahaha, I actually took out that top part from my 06' C280 just to see what would happen. It was a ***** to put it back on.
I don't know if it's the same center arm rest mechanism, buuut here's what I did to get mine back on.
Look at the underside of the armrest where it would connect.
There should be those arms that are... spring tensioned I guess that would clip onto the center box that you now have open right?
So put one side back on, then try and close it.
It won't close. So, stick your finger into the unclosed side that won't fit and push the spring clip up. Yeah, I'm reading this and it's not really clear.
After pushing up, do this next step REALLY QUICK to avoid smashing your finger...
Pull out and push down at the same time.
If you're lucky it'll snap on and it's fixed.
If you're unlucky it'll hurt a little bit >_>
But basically, you want to
1) Place one side on as well as you can onto the clips
2) Close it
3) Stick your finger into the side that can't close properly
4) Push the clip up on the side that can't close
5) Pull out of the slot and push down on that block
6) .....
7) Sucess.
I don't know if it's the same center arm rest mechanism, buuut here's what I did to get mine back on.
Look at the underside of the armrest where it would connect.
There should be those arms that are... spring tensioned I guess that would clip onto the center box that you now have open right?
So put one side back on, then try and close it.
It won't close. So, stick your finger into the unclosed side that won't fit and push the spring clip up. Yeah, I'm reading this and it's not really clear.
After pushing up, do this next step REALLY QUICK to avoid smashing your finger...
Pull out and push down at the same time.
If you're lucky it'll snap on and it's fixed.
If you're unlucky it'll hurt a little bit >_>
But basically, you want to
1) Place one side on as well as you can onto the clips
2) Close it
3) Stick your finger into the side that can't close properly
4) Push the clip up on the side that can't close
5) Pull out of the slot and push down on that block
6) .....
7) Sucess.
Just to add to this:
Each side of the arm rest has a clip. Under the clip you will notice there is a gray pin. The pin sticks out and goes in depending on if you are pressing the latch on the side of the top of the arm rest. There is also a pin close to the front of the arm rest top that also goes in/out when you press the latch.
To install the arm rest, it is much easier if you are pressing in the latch on the side you are trying to put on. The pins go inside corresponding holes on the arm rest body.
Once you put on one side, press down the latch as hard as you can on the other side, press in the spring-loaded clip, and press down on the arm rest.
I used some force to do it and it went into place after a number of tries.
Make sure you have not broken any of the holes in which the pins go into. I noticed damage on one, which is why the arm rest cover likely came off. If you have broken or damaged one side or one corner, you may have more difficulty.
Car done on: 2004 C230K
