Brian P Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 A very simple but sure-fire way to fix an armrest that's VERY prone to breaking at the hinge. Materials: Both broken pieces of the armrest Two long bolts, at least 3 1/2 inches in length, about 5/16" diameter Two matching nuts for said bolts Matching Lock nuts, washers (optional) Black paint, or shrink wrap (optional) Drill bit just slightly larger than the bolt diameter (I used 7/16) Removal of the armrest hinge is very simple. At the rear of the console are two phillips-head screws. Both are visible once the rear ashtray is removed. Then the two halves of the console can be spread apart approx 1/2" and will allow removal of the broken hinge. Releasing the back of the cupholder/shifter plate assembly may make spreading the console easier. If a pair of black plastic pieces come out with it, those are the hinge-guides/locks. Don't lose them. In fact just put them back in its place. Take both pieces of the armrest, line them up and squeeze them together either using a vise, or C clamp, whichever works. Mark two locations where you want to drill two holes, then drill ALL the way thru both pieces. Insert bolts, tighten down with nuts. Get creative with the finished product. My results are below and it took me 5 minutes to do. To reinstall, is the reverse of removal. Just be sure the "hinge guides" are in place correctly BEFORE installing the armrest/hinge assy. I find it easiest to install it in the full-up position. Rest assured if this breaks again, the console will probably break with it. Imp558 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 I would like to comment.... that this Method would be excellent at reinforcing an undamaged armrest lid. as a metter of fact... I'll do it and add a pic of mine given a few days. This may also prove useful for 95+ Luminas and Monte Carlos as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THe_DeTAiL3R Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 I got an armrest from the junkyard that I thought wasn't broken, but upon further inspection it was actually repaired by someone. Theres 2 little metal straps (1 on each side) and screws going through the sides (opposite of that pic). It's quite solid actually, but if your armrest isn't broken right in the middle than that method wouldn't be much good. I should have took pics while it was apart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slick Posted July 19, 2006 Report Share Posted July 19, 2006 I still want to machine up those brackets out of aluminum sometime... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheEddie Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 I did basically the same thing long before I found this wonderful haven, on the red 96gp that is..three black drywall screws did the trick, never broke again. If I could only fix my monte armrest now, everyone i've found is broken in at least one spot, a good one sold on ebay for $100+ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1990lumina Posted July 21, 2006 Report Share Posted July 21, 2006 holy shit i'll sell you the whole console out of my '90 lumina for $100+ usd lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terryk2003 Posted July 22, 2006 Report Share Posted July 22, 2006 good write-up...i wish i would have swapped the broken armrest onto my cutlass before i traded it in...i gave away a perfectly good one...dammit.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DiscoStudd Posted July 22, 2006 Report Share Posted July 22, 2006 i wish i would have swapped the broken armrest onto my cutlass before i traded it in...i gave away a perfectly good one...dammit.. Same way I felt after I traded in my Grand Prix and a couple months later noticed a crack in my Regal's armrest . Although I didn't search for an armrest nearly as long as you did ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWeb80 Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 just did this...nice info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted March 18, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 I just wanted to update that this repair is still holding strong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1138 Posted March 18, 2008 Report Share Posted March 18, 2008 Done the same thing. Loosened a tiny bit, but it works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fleeingpepper Posted March 24, 2008 Report Share Posted March 24, 2008 What if one of the hinge-guides/locks is broken and/or lost? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ismellrealbad Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmoore4294 Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 :smilielol: :smilielol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWeb80 Posted March 25, 2008 Report Share Posted March 25, 2008 I did this and it works great!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted March 26, 2008 Author Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 Thuth be told by the posts above last page Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted to eaton Posted March 26, 2008 Report Share Posted March 26, 2008 Mile held up great.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian P Posted October 6, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 Just FYI this fix is still holding strong!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWeb80 Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 ^ Post Whore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Addicted to eaton Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 Just FYI this fix is still holding strong!!!! Mine too! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radnsmash Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 I wish someone had a tutorial on 95-99/00 Monte/Lumina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakersfan16 Posted June 1, 2011 Report Share Posted June 1, 2011 Hi, I did the repair on my 94 GTP and the only problem is that sometimes either one of the hinge guides pop out of place. The console is put together properly and all 3 pieces of both guides are not broken and they go into the the console holes fine. They just pop back into place,but it would be nice if there is a fix to it. Thanks John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white4d96 Posted June 5, 2011 Report Share Posted June 5, 2011 I wish someone had a tutorial on 95-99/00 Monte/Lumina I wish I could find a way to replace the damn pins that are gone on mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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