The other day I attempted to replace the armrest in my mates sq5 which I think was a 2017 model. He had the ratchet version but had broken it by putting too much pressure on it and snapped the cogs.
The ratchet is all part of the main frame from what we could work out. The part number of the frame with new ratchet top was 80A864283A
I worked on this for about 3 hours trying to remove enough parts to take the original frame out but had to give up in the end as we ran out of time. You effectively have to remove the entire center console from back of armrest all up to and around the gear lever and sides. I've posted some of the open heart surgery as well as one I've found on ebay which probably helps to see where the bolts go through if you get that far.
- Air vents pop out with a trim tool
- There's a square cap/cover on each side of the side trim near the floor which reveals bolts underneath.
- The whole rear trim surrounding the vents pops off with 4 diamond clips holding it on. You can just about squeeze these from the inside to help them out (took ages to find these were holding it on) so a good yank gets that piece off.
- You should see enough inside then to remove any more bolts I think there were 2.
- Then gear stick off by removing leather top (pops off).One screw under there and it all comes off.
Then pull up the surrounding trim just clips in so pop it up and off with trim tools.
- Plenty of screws under there to remove (we thought) but didn't really know which ones.
Then we stopped so good luck after that. You might need to undo bolts under the foot well trim and glove box to get the extended end parts unclipped.
In the end my mate took it as we'd left it to an ex Audi tech who finished it on his driveway for a couple of hundred extra for the remainder of time needed. Apparently he was impressed at how far we had got
I wish anyone luck doing a retrofit of this part. Doable but set yourself a few hours.
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