http://homepage.mac.com/dstranathan/PhotoAlbum15.html

I created a simple visual guide on removing the OEM Honda armrest and installing the Honda "Driver Side Storage Armrest".

I couldn't tell by the photos, do you have the manual transmission? Does the new armrest really interfere with shifting? If you have the auto, do you think it would?
Has anyone tried the manual/armrest combo?

By the way, Mac's rule!

great pics...thanks for sharing and taking the time to post

why would the armrest interfere with the shifting of a 5-spd?

The shifter is up on the dash below the stereo.

The gears are so close, if you have long arms you could practically just shift with your wrist.

I don't think Honda will let the dealers install the accessory arm rest on an E with a 5 speed manual because when the seat is fully forward it will probably interfere with the operation of the 5 speed. So if you're not a little person (trying to be PC here) and have the seat in a more rearward position, get the accessory arm rest - much better than that skinny one that comes on the EX. And it's easy to install by almost anyone!

I don't have an Element yet (driving a 2001 CR-V) right now, but hope to switch over soon.

In the CR-V, the driver's seat in the 5-spd is a different part from the auto seat; the 5-spd seat does not have the bracket needed to install the armrest. I had to go with a third-party custom armrest.

Is it the same with the Element, or can I just get the 5-spd, then install the armrest myself?

Thanks,
eKennedy

I just installed the armrest with storage today and I did not have to cut the hole in the seat any bigger. I used a small screw driver to move the fabric out of the way until I screwed in the bolts.

I just installed the Honda accessory arm rest in my 2WD 5spd E and there is no problem with interference with the shifter, although to set or unset the emergency brake requires you to either reach over or under the arm rest or rotate it up out of the way. The arm rest is nice and wide and allows the front seat passenger to easily use it.

The mechanism built into the seat allows you to bolt the new arm rest right up without a problem. If you have a DX you have to find it using the Honda instructions, w/ an EX you just unbolt the old attachment and bolt in the new one. You can either put a small cut in the material to allow you to put the new bolts in a little easier or push the material out of the way of the new bolts - the new holes used are at about the 2 and 8 o'clock positions. This is very easy to install, just a few simple tools are needed.