Marc3.2TT

Hi all !!

I'm finally back in the US after over 6 weeks abroad.
The first four were for vacation (<a href="http://grendel.bounceme.net/Pictures/2004%20-%20Egypt%20and%20Lebanon/index.html">pictures here</a> for those interested) but the last two for work..

Anyway, after setting up the <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/tt/threads/386873.phtml">armrest group buy</a> with the <a href="http://www.thettshop.com">TT Shop</a> in the UK, I was pleasantly welcomed back home with a package delivery that contained my armrest!

Let me first mention that dealing with the TT Shop and their owner Dave has been a truly pleasant experience, and even though we didn't meet the mininum number required for the group buy, Dave honored the original price he'd promised me AND shipped my armrest free of charge (all the way from the UK!) and also very promply!!!!
Thanks Dave :-)

So now it's finally installed, and I've modified the cup holders after being inspired by <a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/tt/msgs/632104.phtml">Jeff Bipes' method</a> (thanks for the wonderful idea Jeff!!)


Here's the quick how-to of the install:


1. First I'm going to assume that the armrest is already installed with the tunnel cover off, as shown below:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest01.jpg">

The removal of the cup holders on the stock tunnel cover, as well as the installation of the armrest in the tunnel, is very well explained by the instructions provided with the Design Parts armrest, so I won't spend any time on this..


2. Here are the cup holders still attached to the tunnel cover:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest02.jpg">


3. To disassemble the cup holder piece from the tunner cover itself, remove the two dimpled aluminum covers - they can easily come off with your nails, or if you don't have any, a small flat-head screwdriver:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest03.jpg">


4. Removing the dimpled aluminum covers reveals a screw on one side, which is held by a nut on the other side. Remove the screw using a T15 bit:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest04.jpg">


5. Now you can see the mechanics of the rubber "flaps" that hold down your cups or glasses - it's just one piece with two ends, kept under tension by a spring:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest05.jpg">

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest06.jpg">


6. After removing the rubber flap piece and the spring, you can see the screw that holds the cupholders down to the tunnel cover:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest07.jpg">

Take that screw out (again with a T15 bit), while careful not to lose the washer as well.



7. Now in order to know where to cut, tape off the ends of the aluminum rails and the side of the plastic base you want to remove (either side if fine, as the cupholders are symetrical) with masking tape or electric tape:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest08.jpg">


8. To make the cutting job easier, remove the vertical center plastic piece off by twisting in the direction shown, while pushing down on the cupholder base to free it from the aluminum rails:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest09.jpg">


9. I first cut the base off to give more room for the aluminum rail, which are much stronger hence harder to cut:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest10.jpg">


Note that screw to the left of the following picture, on the aluminum rim - it holds the plastic base and the two aluminum rails together:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest11.jpg">


10. Now to the actual cutting of the aluminum - I used a circular blade to make the job quick &amp; easy, but it still took a lot of dexterity to cut at the right place:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest12.jpg">


11. To smoothen the ends, I used a dremel tool with a fine drum sander bit:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest13.jpg">


12. Unfortunately the rubber flap cannot be cut in half, as the spring would lose its counter-part to load tension on the other flap which we will end up using. Instead, the flap that will be unused must be trimmed a bit to fit between the arms of the armrest (sounds funny doesn't it).

Here's where to cut:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest14.jpg">

and here's the flap after it was cut:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest15.jpg">


13. Now on to the final mutilation of the day: set the cupholder (note the lack of "s" now..) on the tunnel cover. You have to choices: cut the original tunnel cover so that it fits around the arms of the armrest (I know, I know..) or make 2 little holes in the tunnel cover provided the armrest to screw the cupholder in it. I chose the latter option, as I thought making 2 U-shaped cuts in the stock tunnel cover would be more painful than just drilling two holes..

To do that, place the covers side-by-side (vertically then horizontally) to get an exact duplicate of the position of the holes, and drill away:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest16.jpg">


14. Under the original tunnel cover, you'll notice a rectangular-shaped metal piece with a drilled hole in it. You'll need to "steal" that piece (it's lightly glued on, so just pry it off gently) and place it under your new tunnel cover:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest17.jpg">


15. Now everything needs to be put back together. Replace the vertical plastic center piece you took out in step 8 over the cupholder's base and between the aluminum rails, insert the screw and its washer you took out during step 4 back in the vertical center piece, guide it through the hole and into the rectangular metal piece on the inside of the tunnel cover, re-assemble the spring and rubber flap (keeping in mind which end goes where) over the vertical center piece, slide the screw you took out in step 4 through the aluminum rails and vertical piece's holes and screw it into its nut, and replace the dimpled aluminum covers you took out in step 3:

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest18.jpg">


16. Finally, take your new "chef-d'oeuvre" (masterpiece) and snap it under the armrest!

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest19.jpg">

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest20.jpg">

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest21.jpg">

That's it!! Again what a great idea Jeff, and thanks again Dave!


All I can say is, it's good to be back and drive my baby around again :-)

See you around!
-Marc

JustJeff

Contact Pete @Stratmosphere.

<img src="http://hitechgti.50megs.com/audi/armrest/armrest20.jpg">

silverTTcoupe

Nice write-up!

Marc3.2TT

I do need to cover up these holes, I think Pete has dimpled cover-buttons to go on top of them?

Marc3.2TT

Thank you :-)

YosemyTT

Looks from the pics like you had an excellent trip and you seem to have hit many of the great places in Egypt. Mount Sinai is one of my fav spots when the sky is clear and there aren't too many people

:-)

Very good write up on this mod as well by the way. I have a new mod myself, this mod is going to keep me busy for a while...

<img src="http://pictureposter.allbrand.nu/pictures/yosemytt/sophiaandmark.jpg">

Marc3.2TT

Yeah we tried to see as much of Egypt &amp; Lebanon as possible. As you can imagine we ended up with very little sleep.. especially when the Egyptian travel agent screwed up our travel reservations to Luxor and we had to stay up all night!

Anyway it was really fun, and my friends were all very happily surprised with what they saw (and ate!)
Mount Sinai was absolutely fabulous, I had only done it at sunrise but this time there was noone at sunset!! just heavenly..

YosemyTT

I'm always happy to hear it when people have a good time over there and have some of their perceptions altered at the same time. Going with a local or somebody who knows the area and lingo makes all the difference so you take plenty of credit for that. Well done!

audaciousTT

Mark! WOW...she's beautiful !!!! Congrats!

JustJeff

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/2847/cover.jpg">