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Passenger Armrest Install (2003 E) with Pictures

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53K views 44 replies 22 participants last post by  Scoupe  
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#1 · (Edited)
Like many people here, I got the storage armrest which is very nice. Now the original armrest would be useful to install on the passenger side since I got a 03. The following are some pictures illustrate the installation procedure;

This picture show that there is a special screw mount to secure either the original or the storage armrest on the driver side. But remember some find the original armrest sits a bit too low.



The passenger side doesn't come with the same screw mount. A new mount need to be made.


I made a wood mount but accidentally broke it apart. It was later secure together with white glue.

I drill two holes on the side of the passenger seat frame and use lock nuts to tighten them together.


I choose a spot where it now sit about an inch higher and a little bit toward the front. (Using the bigger hole above as the center hole reference point)


The back of the nuts securely tighten.


The last step is to cut a hole out of the foam and surface fabric to fit them nicely.


Here is the final look of the passenger armrest. Now it sits more than an inch higher than the 04 passenger armrest and even when the driver seat is adjust to my higher driving position, both armrest can be on the same level side by side.
 

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#4 ·
I found this mod while trolling thru the site and it was exactly what I wanted to do.

When I first bought my element, the first question my wife asked me was "where is my arm rest". After finding this thread, I decided to knock it out the day the storage arm rest arrived.

It took me two tries however. My first attempt using pine was a complete failure . The first time my wife put any weight on the armrest the pine wood broke (and she is a small woman) so I went to Home Depot (where else does one go for element mods?) and bought some red oak, used the broken pine piece as a template and using some self locking nuts and bolts, I went at it.

I'm happy with the results and I can say that the passenger armrest is VERY solid now.
 
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#5 ·
I just finished installing a passenger armrest in my 2003. Looks much better (I think) with two rests, than just the one for the driver.

I fabricated a aluminum plate, to mount to the seat frame, then, mounted the pivot for the armrest to the plate.

I used small 12mm bolts to mount the pivot(and the plate), and cut small piece's of metal tubing that slipped over the bolts to act as spacers.

All in all, very sturdy. Wife is all happy to boot! :rolleyes:
 
#6 ·
Armrest mount

Hey Crusty got any pics?? Would you be willing to make me one.
 
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#7 · (Edited)
robc said:
Hey Crusty got any pics?? Would you be willing to make me one.
Click to expand...
It took me about a month to make this as I just don't have the time. I did get some pictures for you as a reference though!

Hope they help. When I made the mounting plate(closest to the seat frame, I had to make the spacers just big enough to allow the pivot bracket/post to clear the seat frame. As well, the springs from the seat back where they meet the frame c a n get in the way, so out of the four holes I had made on the mounting plate, I only used three, as the fouth hole was too close for my liking to the spring. Still with the three bolts its very secure.

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#8 ·
Arm Rest Mods for 09 SC

Does anyone have any suggestions re how to add a drivers side armrest to an 09 SC? It comes with a center console with what appears to be an arm rest over a storage compartment. However, I find it about 4 inches too low and about 6 inches too far back to be of any comfort for me. Even with the seat fully lowered it is still too low. I would like to add something that looks a little better than a taping a roll of paper towels to the top of the console to get some driving comfort on a long trip. Can the seat frame accomodate a conventional arm rest?
 
#9 ·
Myself here ALSO.....:)
 
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#17 ·
ShroomMastaP said:
-No not the original Car own, got it in 07'
-The seat back lever is on the outboard side
-The Airbag tags on the seat are on the outboard side which there is also an airbag there

-pics of the white box: (dont think its an airbag, but i've no idea what it is)
Click to expand...

As they say.....A picture is worth a thousand words.

That is the OPDS unit.(Occupant Position Detection System)


On a Honda only vehicles with side airbags have it. It is part of the system that disables the passenger side airbag.


I missed in your profile that you have an EXS model.
 
#20 · (Edited)
Part numbers for the passenger's seat back and OPDS changed from 2003 to 2004, but I can't tell how different they are, since the parts diagram (SCV4-B4001B) seems not to have changed.

2003
Frame, R. Fr. seat-back, 81126-SCV-A71
OPDS unit (#18 in diagram), 81334-SCV-A72

2004
Frame, R. Fr. seat-back, 81126-SCV-A72
OPDS Unit (#18 in diagram), 81334-SCV-A81

Image


Either way, it looks like you should be able to mount an arm rest. What's behind the foam, above the OPDS?
 
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#21 ·
ramblerdan said:
Well that's strange. My '04 has side air bags and came with arm rests on both seats. Did they move the OPDS unit between '03 and '04?
Click to expand...
It should be in the same place. But the 2003's did not have the mount for the armrest built into the seat. Depending on what modification may need to be done a bracket should be able to be fabbed up as long as it does not interfere with the SRS harness in the seat back.
 
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#25 ·
Just did this mod to my E. The little lady is going to love it when we take our next car ride!

Special thanks to Jackson for giving me his armrest when he upgraded to the storage armrest! When I upgrade my drivers side I plan to do the same and donate it to a needy member.

But until then both front seats now have standard armrest!! Thanks again Jackson!
 
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#27 ·
Well I'm waiting to find a good deal on a storage armrest, and when I do my standard will be placed in the trading post free+shipping.
 
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#28 ·
ok i just recieved 2 armwrests for my 08 LX... installed the drivers w/ no problem. passenger however i ran into the same issue as others where the sensor seems to be in the way and there's no pointing point. i pulled up the majestic image and it seems to show both the sensore AND the armrest for the LX AWD. is there a trick to mounting this that i missed? i find it hard to believe that honda would bother making 2 completely different seats due to an armrest being there or not
 

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#29 ·
murso74 said:
ok i just recieved 2 armwrests for my 08 LX... installed the drivers w/ no problem. passenger however i ran into the same issue as others where the sensor seems to be in the way and there's no pointing point. i pulled up the majestic image and it seems to show both the sensore AND the armrest for the LX AWD. is there a trick to mounting this that i missed? i find it hard to believe that honda would bother making 2 completely different seats due to an armrest being there or not
Click to expand...
I live this reality everyday with all kinds of Honda parts. Components you would think are all the same for one vehicle end up having anywhere from 2-6 different part numbers depending on the trime level
 
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#33 ·
Anyone know whether there is a Thread/How-to on how to remove the driver's side armrest on an '03 EX? I have been searching and can't find this topic. Just bought seat covers and hoping to remove and reinstall the armrest once the covers are on and I have cut a hole in the appropriate spot on the side of the seat cover. Thanks in advance!
 
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#36 ·
Mounting Brackets?

Hey ya'll i got an '06 that didn't come with any armrests,

i was hoping to put in a storage armrest on the drivers side and a standard on the passengers side, but im having a rough time finding parts!

i can find the storage armrest for around $100, but i cant tell if it has the mounting hardware needed....also i cant find a standard passenger armrest anywhere!

links would be super helpful,

thanks!
 
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