Replacing Center Console Armrest/Cover

[PatrickB-379]

The corner of my cover started cracking where my wifes elbow sits while driving. I ordered a new part assuming it would be an easy swap. Turns out it's connected behind the Rear HVAC controls and to take that piece off requires removal of the center console. After I finally figured out how to get to what I needed. I snapped some pics to hopefully help anyone else that has to do this.

First off, this is why I replaced it...



And this is the piece I needed to remove to get to the 4 screws holding the armrest/cover on...


And as you can see from the back, it is not only held on by 4 clips, but also 3 screws. The middle one you can get to with the cup holder out, but the two side ones are impossible...


This shows the screw on one side. It is only accessible once the console is removed and seperated...


Here is a picture of the lower storage compartment (where the center seat stows) and the actual console behind it...


There are a total of 16 screws holding these two pieces together. 5 on each side, 4 in the bottom of the upper console storage and 2 in the back behind the lower console door...


^^ I took the opportunity to clean the sides of this before I put it back together...



And finally...



Here is a pic of the empty space without the console...



4 bolts hold it down and 2 screws secure it to the shifter console...



And...



Finally the lower dash and cup holder pieces can snap in. These just pop off but the dash piece (HVAC controls) has to come off first.



As you can tell, I took all my pics as I was putting it back together since I wasn't quite sure what I was doing as it came apart. I hope this can be helpful to someone as I was unable to find anything on this before I started.

I have more pics so if anyone has a specific question, let me know.

[deadrx7conv]

Wow, interior wear out.

I wonder if aerospace-303 or other vinyl protectant can slow down the wear and tear.

[dirtraven1]

Nice job on the pictures!

[texaspaulster]

My wifes 08 is doing the same thing. Where the elbow would rest, it has begun to crack. I can't believe that this is happening to such a young car. I have looked to see if I can by an upgraded part, but ran across your post. Great info. I even considered having the console arm rest, upholstered to match the seats, hoping this would last longer and still look and function like it oughta. Sounds like this will be at least a couple of hours worth of repair. I hate to put the same quality lid back and have it do this 2 yrs down the road. Thanks for the info and the photos.

[texaspaulster]

I couldn't figure why Toyota would make the removal so difficult. I went by an upholstery place today. The guy came out. Told me that the material Japan used was very thin. He said, I can recover it with a thicker, better material, and it will look like it did new.........$69.00. I couldn't say fix it fast enough. He went back in the store. Came out with a little battery operated screwdriver and within 3 minutes, he removed it and told me it would be ready by the end of the day. It looks awesome. Patrick, I think you were looking at it way too hard.

[TrailDust]

Just throwing this out to you all since we've had quite a number of people report split driver's door armrests and center console armrest/doors. Check out this carbon fiber component this guy created for his 3rd Gen Sienna. It's pretty cool and food for thought.

my latest project

[medetz]

Buy a new console cover. Call you dealership, give them you vin number and buy the console cover assembly. I bought mine a lakeland toyota. The get into you back seat. Take off the rear temperature plate by using a utility knife, and sliding into top of plate. The unit will come out. Snap open the piece the piece that holds the console cover in. You will see a plate in the back the has four screws. Unscrew the unit and remove console cover. Might take a little moving around. Then take new console cover, put back into place. Keep the lid up, and then screw console cover back into space using bracket and four screws. Toyota dealership wanted $300 for fix, I bought console cover online for $135 and did fix myself. Very easy fix once you take off temperature control plate and snap open clips. Then you can remove cover, and put back in. Literally a 10 minute job.